If on Nov 25, Mr. Avery had not been there behind his locked gate, the house would have been "Abated". Abatement is the government's term. As it was, the county employees called the police to have Mr. Avery arrested. The police asked to look at the court order and the county employees did not have a "Forcible Entry Court Order", so the police would not let them cut the lock and proceed.
Mr. Avery has filed an appeal and had it hand delivered to the court in Martinez, CA. That was supposed to have delayed the Abatement till there was a hearing. I am not a lawyer and don't know all the details. I can't predict accurately what is going to happen day to day. I would be quite happy is the Contra Costa County would just leave Mr. Avery alone and allow him to have his house on his farm.
Here is what was posted on the gate the day before I saw the crew out there, I took the picture and started this post. Cultural Jihad , What would you have done?
Update Nov 29, 2003
After the county employees left on Nov 25 to get the court order for Forcible Entry, they did not come back that day or the next. The gate is still locked. I talked to Mr. Avery who lives 50 miles or so away in San Jose and told him that there was no more activity. There was no activity at the site on Thanksgiving day and none of Friday, Nov 28. I don't think the county "works" on the week ends. I will post another update on Monday, Dec 1, 2003.
I think it is important for people to see how our government has grown to the point of a nanny state where, they are poised to Abate a house because it might flood. It had all the permits when it was first placed there some 20 years ago. With the same logic, the government could just as easily crush your car because it might be involved in an accident some day.
Good Hunting... from Varmint Al