Southern Humboldt Community

Its ironic that back in 2000 when Dazey was selling his vision and asking the public to donate $4000 an acre to buy what would become the Southern Humboldt Community Park, with the mantra "protect this property from the jaws of haphazard and profit driven development" (5-20 acre ranchettes). Although when asked, Dazey could never confirm this rumor. And now, since the Park Board wants to re-zone, change the land-use and re-develop the Park property for profit driven private investors, commercial concerts, festivals, private events, camping and sports tournaments, the Park Board started another rumor publicly:

"If we cannot operate the property as a park either through a rezone or a perpetual special agreement (which we have been informed is not an option), there is no point in continued ownership by the non-profit park entity. We could not fundraise; not through events, use fees, or leases. We would simply be forced to put the property up for sale. Certainly a selling point of the property is the possibility of subdivision into small farm parcels to sell off individually".

So now it seems the threat of selling off this property has come full circle, however this time, the threat comes directly from the current owner, the Park Board. It would explain why the Park Board wants to keep their development rights to the property, even if they change the land use classification. I would sure like to know how the Park Board would be "forced" into anything like subdividing and selling their Corporate assets. Maybe the Park Board should read their own Articles of Incorporation.

Ed Voice
formally from Garberville

Why is it, that in this last River Parkways Grant application (2008/2009) the Park Board told the State Resources Agency in 3 different sections of the application and cover letter (signed by Kathryn Lobato); "The property is now completely clear of debt!" and "We also successfully raised another $1 million which gave us the opportunity to satisfy our note holders. We are very pleased to announce that our property planned for the South Fork Eel River Parkway is now debt-free" and "Since our application in 2007, we have raised an additional $1 million and the property is now debt-free". The Park Board tells this community one thing, the County another and the State Agencies something completely different, why is that? What is meant by "another $1 million" and "additional $1 million". What happened to the first $1 million? "Clear of debt"? "Now debt free"? Now in last weeks paper the Park Board submitted yet another (#4) "GPA Application Update". It states they are very close to "90% paid for"? Close must mean a quarter million dollars, because that is how "Close" they are to burning the Community Parks privately held mortgage and small operational loans.

People in this community need to demand and read all Grant applications this Park Board has submitted. If the Park Board does truly represent this Community, this community needs to know, not to just to be on a "need to know basis"! The Park Boards mission and stated 501c3 purpose is to own and operate one or more Parks, period! People in this community did not donate their hard earned money to pay down high interest private loans or "professional services and fees" for the last 10 years.

The problem with this misfit, so called "Community Organization" is they believe they are the greater good, and in so doing, believe everyone should sacrifice themselves, including their property value for the greater good. they are a group of private property owners and call themselves an Community Park. Even though they want no input from the Community or neighboring property owners, you need to trust them and not question their motives...