THE MAYOR AND FIRST LADY OF CHEESEVILLE ASK IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
RE: Siskiyou Daily News Article dated March 5, 2014 JH Ranch's rezoning application under a PDPA to more than double its size
David, Thank you for publishing your article of March 5, 2014 regarding JH Ranch's rezoning application.For us, it certainly raised many more questions. We imagine you have the resources to research and better provide us with answers to these new questions, and we are sure that the answers will better help us understand some of the more subtle points of this proposed expansion by JH Ranch.
We would appreciate more information on these points:~ The article begins with this statement: “A battle involving constitutional principles and neighbor discontent . . .” WHAT exactly ARE the constitutional principles referred to. We ARE aware that this 'battle' goes much deeper than just the referred to'neighbor discontent', as there are more folks opposed to this expansion than just neighbors of JH Ranch.~ The article mentions a 2012 letter from Downey Brand Attorneys saying “they invoke the constitution to protect its operation”. Can this be explained in a more understandable way?~ That letter is also quoted as saying “Approving the PDPA would ensure that the County does not run afoul of the Constitution when modifying and/or applying land use regulations with regard to the Ranch”. Again, we need to understand why the constitution is being referenced here.~ And again, that same letter states that the County cannot “arbitrarily limit the Ranch's ability to house campers and staff” based on the concept of interfering with the “rural character” of the county.There are Codes in effect for regular people like us who own property which limit how many, if any, house campers can be on the property and for how long.
Why would JH Ranch be permitted to operate by different rules?The statement (“based on the concept of interfering with the “rural character”of the county”) seems to mock the 'rural character' of life here. If you look at their many websites: in Siskiyou County: http://jhranch.com/ ;http://jhranch.com/scottriverlodge ; in Israel: http://jhranch.com/jhisrael ,all the photos depict 'rural outdoor adventure living'. One would suppose that JH Ranch originally set up their operation here BECAUSE OF the 'rural character' of this valley. This, under their 'What is JH Ranch' page states:“The content of our programming at JH Ranch is taught primarily through the challenges of practical experiences in the great outdoors. With each purpose-driven program, our goal is to teach and model the Great Commandment: love God and love others. Through this, our guests leave JH Ranch with practical Christian principles for everyday life, not simply inspiration. ”Such statements cause us to wonder, how the principles of JH Ranch and the parents who pay for their young people to attend programs here, would respond to this scenario: Imagine that a group of us from Siskiyou County went to Alabama and decided to set up a shooting range on land adjacent to a golf and tennis club where JH people were members. Then imagine that we invite hundreds of our friends to come for jamboree-target shooting events that last all summer. And since we bought the land, we invite our friends to bring their RVs, campers, tents to stay for as long as they would like during the summer events. Imagine that every day we target practice, play music, dance, eat, and just have a good time, having 'practical experiences' in the 'great outdoors'. Do you suppose the people who are members of the golf and tennis club would consider our activities as interference with the 'country club character' of their neighborhood? Enough said on that topic, as we are sure you get the picture.~
This part of the article is confusing: “JH Ranch has been in operation since 1979 and is a rural (there's that word again) guest ranch . . .”Then in the next section it says the Planned Development District Proposal to rezone from 79.2 acres to 202. Can someone explain this difference (350 to 79.2/202 acres)?~ The director, Rob Hayes-St. Clair is quoted as saying “ . . . provide a practical understanding of life purpose, personal principles, leadership values and how to strengthen family relationships”.Lofty goals; however, the proposal, as well as their 'out-of-compliance past behavior', seems to be exactly what have set up this 'so called battle'. Their goals and their actions are totally incongruent. Are the young people to learn from 'believing management goals', or from 'observing interactions/actions/lackof compliance to Codes' by JH's directors?~
This statement by Hayes-St. Clair (after saying how many years and how much money they spent) is especially troubling: “ . . . has included exhaustive environmental studies and analysis to ensure the proposed amendment wouldn't impact the environment.”One look at their website shows a stampede of kids on mountain bikes, which is a typical marketing tool used these days to draw in more travelers to spend money. However, that photo makes it very difficult to swallow the' exhaustive environmental study and analysis' statement when we are imagining what 2000 pair of feet can do to land in one day, let alone a whole summer. A 'great outdoor adventure event' usually has little to do with'leaving a small footprint' or 'leaving an area better than you found it' soothers can also enjoy the pristine beauty of our wilderness areas.
Its no secret that money can buy whatever results of 'environmental studies' anyone needs these days to further their own agenda.~ We read in the Nov. 30, 2006 Terry Barber (Siskiyou County) letter: . . . “restrictedto 250 on-site and 230 off-site (and overlap allowing 480 on-site for one night). What does 'off-site' actually mean? If 230 people are in the mountains or along the rivers, what sleeping/eating/sanitary facilities are in use? Again, 230 people can't help but have an environmental impact. Then consider what 7 times that amount would do.
That same letter said JH Ranch was to 'immediately cease and desist occupancy of the Ranch which exceeds established limits” .'Cease and Desist' is not a complicated concept to understand. This quote from the JH website couldn't be more true: “Our motto at JH Ranch is: "I heard and I forgot . . .”It appears that when the County draws a line in the sand, then JH brings out the bulldozer and drives right over that line, clearing more beach for their guests; then the County moves to bring them in at a 'new level of compliance'.
This application appears to simply re-establish, once again, a new baseline from which JH Ranch can then continue expanding without regard to County Codes.Note: In Che'usa's short history of being here in the valley (arrived 1997), she remembers a number of small businesses that were either closed down or driven out because of compliance issues. Eb's history spans 90 years of living here, while experiencing significant changes in the landscape.
We ask: Why is JH Ranch handled any different than the rest of us?~ This statement: “seeking to change its planned development document to expand current occupancy limits to allow infrastructure and environmental capacity to dictate the number of guests that can be accommodated by ranch facilities”, usually means: “if we have the money to build it, then we should be allowed to build whatever we want, for as many as we want, for whatever use we want.” Isn't that exactly WHY Counties and Cities HAVE Codes that are meant to be conformed to by ALL parties?~
Another: “According to public review announcement, the occupancy limits are expected to increase to 975 occupants in permanent housing during peak summer months, 300 occupants in winter, and up to 1600 in temporary housing for single events.” (Note: it says single EVENTS, not just one single event per season).Our recollection is, that the population of the City of Etna is around 650 people. We are not talking 'rural guest ranch' here; we're talking a CITY, larger than Etna and Fort Jones combined.~ “SHN Consulting (paid for by whom???) showed peak summer periods with traffic volume as high as 493 per day on French Creek Road”.Think about it . . . that is 75% of Etna's total population driving up FrenchCreek Road.And there has to be something wrong with this figure: “French Creek Road is listed by Siskiyou County as having the capacity to serve 1408 vehicles per day without creating significant delays.” IMPOSSIBLE. Have the people writing these things EVER driven French Creek Road? Think about that . . . it would be equivalent to cars bumper to bumper from Etna to Greenview on Highway 3, which is a major highway here in the valley.There has been a concerted effort over the years to keep the decomposed granite (which a portion of French Creek Road is composed of) out of the creek beds and forest floor; however, that much foot traffic, along with granite lodged in ATV and mountain bike tires would serve to negate such efforts.~
The article also mentions the 64-page document which includes 'wastewater generation'. Perhaps it would be good for JH Ranch to study how NASA handles the wastewater problem for astronauts: filtering, then recycling wastewater for drinking water.The amount of natural resources and materials it would take to provide sanitation, water, housing, parking, etc. for that many people would be more than our whole valley uses.
We have always been led to believe that 'JH brings lots of money into the community.' We no longer buy that premise. There may be a few businesses which profit in the summer from JH people coming in to Etna, but as far as JH supporting most businesses, that is not true. Isn't it true that most of their summer staff come from outside this area; food and supplies are brought in from outside this area? Along with the above points which need to be clarified for the residents of Siskiyou County, these questions need verifiable answers:
1) What Agreement does JH have with Etna High School that enables buses to bring JH kids in to town at least once a week to shower at the high school facilities? They are using precious water WE in ETNA depend on and PAY FOR. We are in a drought, and using OUR water for outside peoples' needs is not acceptable.
2) As a non-profit, does JH Ranch/Second Wind pay Siskiyou County Property taxes, and if they do, what kind of exemptions or special rate do they pay? If not, then WE the citizens ARE paying their way for road maintenance, fire protection, and every service used while their 'guests' are here, including free internet service at the Library, while much needed income is lost to the County. Note: Our tax bills show COS Bond Series A-C which is based on net taxable value. We also pay $12.02 for Etna Cemetery and $63.00 Solid Waste Land fill.
3) Has JH been billed for and/or have they paid Cal Fire's $115 - $150 fire protection fee per habitable dwelling? Those fees would be substantial on the number of 'habitable dwellings' on JH Ranch's property.
4) Does JH Ranch pay the County 'Bed Tax' paid by other businesses that house guests?
5) Has JH Ranch had some of their 'Wilderness Permits' revoked for exceeding the maximum limit of people for groups entering Wilderness areas?
6) AND the 'age old' supposition: 'is someone being paid off to let all these infractions simply slide through, while expansion after expansion occurs'? If so, who; and if who, why and how much; and when will they be prosecuted? We need a definitive answer on that . . . NOW.~
The 2011 Form 990 shows 'Second Wind Programs, Inc. dba JH Ranch and their mission or most significant activity is: 'Christian Retreat Camp'.
See links for Second Wind and JH Ranch here:https://bulk.resource.org/irs.gov/eo/2013_09_EO/68-0174970_990_201209.pdf andhttps://bulk.resource.org/irs.gov/eo/2012_08_EO/94-3313968_990_201109.pdf~
The 2010 Form 990 (Return of Organization exempt from Income Tax) shows JHRanch Mountain Resort's mission in Section 1: 'to provide facilities, infrastructure, land and management thereof for other charitable organizations.
'Most of us thought that the people who come here ARE from JH, and not from'other charitable organizations.
'Line 8 of that Form 990 shows: “contributions and grants from prior year: $3,161,596.00 program service revenue: 70,800.00 with Total Revenue: $3,232,771.00
Line 22 shows Net Assets: $ 8,837,021.00The JH Website shows 2014 Program Dates and Fees as: Father/Mother and Son/Daughter one week program $2,575Challenge Adventures one week program $2,675 Second Wind Adventures $2,675Mountain or Bike Adventures $2,775/2,875 Husband & Wife – JH Ranch - one week $2,575/$2,775 Husband & Wife – Scott River Lodge - one week $4,275.
That is a lot of revenue and assets for an organization that continues to operate from the premise that Siskiyou County should bend all rules, just for the privilege of having them here. We would certainly appreciate it if someone could provide verifiable answers to our many questions and then share that information via the Siskiyou Daily News. Keeping the facts at the fore front is necessary in sensitive issues such as this one. The outcome will have a huge impact on Scott Valley and on monies that could help fund Siskiyou County.
Most sincerely,The Mayor and First Lady of Cheeseville(Eb Whipple and Che'usa Sienna Wend)
March 8, 2014
