Posted on 07/20/2003 8:41:07 PM PDT by Varmint Al
A California man is about to lose his property. Help.
Here is Mr. Avery's letter grasping for straws in a flood of overpowering big government. The property is in a flood plane on Bethel Island, CA, but no one lives there. They want to tear down his trailer because it might flood. How can this type of oppressive government be stopped?. Can Mr. Avery be helped? Here is Mr. Avery's cry for help. His property is directly across the street from me and I am merely trying to help. What can be done?
Good Hunting... from Varmint Al
To Whom It May Concern: HELP!!! My name is Preston Avery. I am a 74 year old disabled person. I am a diabetic and blind in one eye. I have had heart by-pass surgery. I have had a hip replacement. I have prostate cancer which has been treated with radiation and has left me with side effects. However, my worst problem is with Contra Costa County Building Department. I bought approximately 72 acres on Bethel Island 29 years ago. Presently I am using this property for pasture. I have cows, goats and sheep there. I have three buildings on the property: 2 barns and 1 manufactured mobile home which I use for storage, shop and rest area when my workers and I work on the ranch. I have had some sort of unit (self contained travel trailer, etc.) on the property since shortly after purchasing the property. In June 1984, I applied for permits for sewer, water, PG&E, electric which were granted (*see enclosed). I was told the unit I had on the property at that time did not meet the size code to be permitted (less than 400 square feet). In 1991 1 purchased a larger unit and applied for permits for a care takers unit and the permit was granted (see enclosed). Due to circumstances beyond my control the unit was never occupied as a care takers unit. But it has been used as a farm building as noted above . The county has declared the unit a public nuisance because they said it is being used for human habitation (which is not true) and is in the flood plain according to FEMA. I have exhausted all avenues with the county and they said their decision is set in concrete. They have let contracts to demolish my unit (see enclosed information). Any help you can give me in this matter would be greatly appreciated. If I am not allowed to keep this building on my property, my entire operation will be in jeopardy. For more information or questions please call me at 408-252-3706.
*Enclosed not yet available here. A large number of documents. |
I talked with Preston Avery and he told me that there was nothing that the Supervisor of the 5th Contra Costa County, CA could do. His hands were tied.
No wonder people are leaving California in droves. A man can't even keep his own property. Now, the property is going to be dismantled (with a bulldozer) and Mr. Avery will have to pay for the dismantling. To pour salt into the wound, last Wednesday, June 16, 2003, they sent him an additional letter. Mr. Avery must have the building tested for asbestos or else he will have to pay the cost of disposing the total weight as hazardous waste. Many $$$ involved.
East County
Contra CarlosBaltodano1191 Central Boulevard Suite C
Brentwood, California 94~3
(925) 427-8850
CountyJuly 16, 2003
Preston and Lois Avery
10315 Morett Drive
Cupertino, Ca. 93014
SITE: 3010 Willow West Road, Bethel Island
APN: 029-010-017
REF: RF010599
Dear Mr. And Mrs. Avery,
I understand from Gary Hennis Asbestos Consultants (925) 673-1392 that you refused an appointment for an asbestos test. If~ no asbestos test is taken, we will handle the abatement of the mobile home as 100% asbestos. It will be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility at a per pound charge. The difference in cost will be charged to you. If you in any way restrict the abatement process citations may be issued and/or a warrant will be obtained at your expense.
I may be reached at (925) 427-8846 any workday between 7:30 and 10:00 a.m. I am off every other Friday.
Sincerely,
Terry Plys
Building Inspector I
Cc: Marc G.Hynes P.O. Box 279
Mountain View, Ca. 94042
Preston and Lois Avery
10315
Morett DriveCupertino, Ca. 93014
SITE: 3010 Willow West Road, Bethel Island
APN: 029-010-017
REF: RF010599
Dear Mr. And Mrs. Avery,
I have sent out notices to bidders to obtain proposals for abating the above-mentioned site.
Within the next
three weeks Contractors will be making a physical inspection of the property for bidding and assessment of the scope of work required. Your cooperation in this matter will be greatly appreciated.I-rnay-be-reaehed-at-~{925) 427-8S46-most-workday~between 7:30 and 10:00 a.m. I am off every other Friday.
Thank you
Terry Plys
Building Inspector 1
Here is the address of the Supervisor, 5th District:
Hon. Federal D. Glover
Supervisor, 5th District
Contra Costa County
651 Pine Street
Martinez, CA 94553-1229
Terry Plye, Building INspector 1
East County
Building Inspection Office
Contra Costa County
1191 Central Boulevard
Brentwood, CA 94513
Help!
There is also a great commuter train from FB to DC.
Thank you very much. The welcome means a lot.
Very cool! I am getting to really looking forward to this! It sounds like a great place. I am a HUGE history buff, too. One more reason where none is needed!
Here is a photo, I took today, of the trailer that the Contra Costa county is going to demolish. The demolition is scheduled for today. This area is in the flood plane with cows on the right and goats in the background on the left. Maybe the cows and goats should be killed too save them from drowning because they might be flooded. Here is a quote I saw on Neal Boortz today.
"There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him." - Robert Heinlein
Good Hunting... from Varmint Al
I received this fax from Mr. Avery today. Maybe there is hope!
I sure hope that Mr. Gwerder's letter will help to save Mr. Avery's porperty.
Good Hunting... from Varmint Al
Well, Free Republic can't help.
The farmer is at his gate with it locked. The police are there and now the county is going to have to get a court order to cut his lock. It is only a matter of hours before they tear down his house! Aren't we proud of our BIG GOVERNMENT saving us from ourselves!
His house might flood. So the government will destroy it so it can't flood!
Sad day on Bethel Island, CA in Contra Costa County.
Here is the police car, the police filling out some kind of papers. You can just see the farmer. He has only one eye and has a patch over his right eye.
Stay Safe !
It really does sound bad without the first word: "Farmer's" !
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