Comments on: The True Value of Public Land http://ocunfair.com/selling-out-our-children%e2%80%99s-future/the-true-value-of-public-land/ All that is necessary for the triumph for evil, is that good men do nothing - Edmund Burke Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:42:38 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: localoccitizen http://ocunfair.com/selling-out-our-children%e2%80%99s-future/the-true-value-of-public-land/comment-page-1/#comment-57 localoccitizen Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:35:50 +0000 http://ocunfair.com/?p=38#comment-57 PLEASE READ the STATE's LETTER to CM: I have been critical of the Fair Board and their participation in what is clearly a land grab. Now I feel sorry for them. Why? What was sold to them to be a simple transition of property from the public to their non-profit has spun out of control. Ellis sold them that this would be embraced and supported by the public bodies and citizens. He sold them that they would be the stewards of the property and ensure that the local citizens would be protected. I really believe that they went into this with good intentions (other than Ellis and Beazley). Well, turns out the State has different plans (they don’t care about the OC), the City of Costa Mesa is up in arms, the Board of Supervisors doesn’t want to play, and the citizens aren’t as sleepy as he thought (this isn’t a $25,000 city council race Mr. Ellis). I also hear that their board may not have the money to keep going and or even bid. What then? Well, the state has made it clear that they want to sell. The bidders could be anyone from Trinity Broadcasting (yes the group down the street with the beautiful church/television station-they are very interested), Irvine Company, USC, several groups out of NY, several Indian tribes (what then, cant block a casino on Indian land…) or a myriad of other investors. Watch, AEG will be in the mix for sure. Anyway, why I feel sorry for the board members is that they were sold a bill of goods by someone who didn’t have their or the peoples best interest at heart. He is all about the money and was trying to make a move that would benefit his clients and himself. The board have been pawns all along and now they may get stuck holding the bag as they turn over the keys of the county’s best asset to God knows who. Funny thing, is that Ellis has been way over his head since day one and as noted several weeks ago he is now getting played himself. With investigations, media scrutiny, the elected officials walking away and the citizens out with pitch forks (its Halloween so I couldn’t resist) some folks will now have to answer to a higher authority than blog writers like me! PLEASE READ the STATE’s LETTER to CM: I have been critical of the Fair Board and their participation in what is clearly a land grab. Now I feel sorry for them. Why? What was sold to them to be a simple transition of property from the public to their non-profit has spun out of control. Ellis sold them that this would be embraced and supported by the public bodies and citizens. He sold them that they would be the stewards of the property and ensure that the local citizens would be protected. I really believe that they went into this with good intentions (other than Ellis and Beazley). Well, turns out the State has different plans (they don’t care about the OC), the City of Costa Mesa is up in arms, the Board of Supervisors doesn’t want to play, and the citizens aren’t as sleepy as he thought (this isn’t a $25,000 city council race Mr. Ellis). I also hear that their board may not have the money to keep going and or even bid. What then? Well, the state has made it clear that they want to sell. The bidders could be anyone from Trinity Broadcasting (yes the group down the street with the beautiful church/television station-they are very interested), Irvine Company, USC, several groups out of NY, several Indian tribes (what then, cant block a casino on Indian land…) or a myriad of other investors. Watch, AEG will be in the mix for sure. Anyway, why I feel sorry for the board members is that they were sold a bill of goods by someone who didn’t have their or the peoples best interest at heart. He is all about the money and was trying to make a move that would benefit his clients and himself. The board have been pawns all along and now they may get stuck holding the bag as they turn over the keys of the county’s best asset to God knows who. Funny thing, is that Ellis has been way over his head since day one and as noted several weeks ago he is now getting played himself. With investigations, media scrutiny, the elected officials walking away and the citizens out with pitch forks (its Halloween so I couldn’t resist) some folks will now have to answer to a higher authority than blog writers like me!

]]> By: Ninja http://ocunfair.com/selling-out-our-children%e2%80%99s-future/the-true-value-of-public-land/comment-page-1/#comment-46 Ninja Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:45:01 +0000 http://ocunfair.com/?p=38#comment-46 I'm part of the equestrian community who has been fighting this board for months over their intentions to eliminate horses from the fairgrounds. It's time to band together. The CM City Council and the OC Board of Supervisors both voted unanimously to KEEP the Equestrian Center at the Fairgrounds last summer. We have proven that the horses enrich our county and our community, including serving under privledged and at risk kids. The OC Equestrian Coalition is our clearing house. Please invite us to fight with you...we already have a few bruises but are in NO WAY ready to give up. I’m part of the equestrian community who has been fighting this board for months over their intentions to eliminate horses from the fairgrounds. It’s time to band together. The CM City Council and the OC Board of Supervisors both voted unanimously to KEEP the Equestrian Center at the Fairgrounds last summer. We have proven that the horses enrich our county and our community, including serving under privledged and at risk kids. The OC Equestrian Coalition is our clearing house. Please invite us to fight with you…we already have a few bruises but are in NO WAY ready to give up.

]]> By: Bob_Is_Unfair http://ocunfair.com/selling-out-our-children%e2%80%99s-future/the-true-value-of-public-land/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Bob_Is_Unfair Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:52:24 +0000 http://ocunfair.com/?p=38#comment-43 Ummm...I have a daughter and nothing that is going on in the government is equal to someone raping her. You just invalidated your whole argument to a paranoid ridiculous rant. Ummm…I have a daughter and nothing that is going on in the government is equal to someone raping her. You just invalidated your whole argument to a paranoid ridiculous rant.

]]> By: govcorrupt http://ocunfair.com/selling-out-our-children%e2%80%99s-future/the-true-value-of-public-land/comment-page-1/#comment-38 govcorrupt Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:59:49 +0000 http://ocunfair.com/?p=38#comment-38 THIS CALLS FOR AN INVESTIGATION! Just because it is coming from the governor's office doesn't mean it is squeaky clean. The people on the lower level who work in the department that issues this rfps are not serving the best interest of the state. They are as corrupt as the rest in the political circles. And don't think they aren't. I have been in the state system for more than 40 years and have watched the backhandedness of the political folks. Since when does the state go into business with private enterprise like this? and ask for a piece of the action later. That in itself is obvious there is collusion... it is a failsafe tactic for them to award the bid.. not necessarily the highest bid.. to whomever the want. Because they can always say they are betting on the cum. and the cum is a better deal for them. This rfp is written to leave the door wide open for wheeling and dealing and the governor should be ashamed of himself to stoop to this low level in order to balance the budget, which in this case will not make a bit of difference. How does this help the state now? if monies cannot come in now? Please know that the state does not care about the little people.... the hard working blue collars. The state got into this mess because of the greed in high level government positions. And money being spent or diverted to benefit just a few. This is no more than a big corporation created to benefit a few and spit on the rest. No one cares about your county fair, your community, your citizens, your vendors, your tenants... don't think they do. And those board members are all governor appointees.. favors because they did something for the governator. It is not because they care about you or the fair or any of this. Go see michael moore's movie that is out right now and you will see a lot of parallels to this scenario. We have to stand up as a whole and not take this. Because what is next? if they get away with this then what? If you want your jobs back or to keep your jobs, then the state has to clean up its act.. not sell off property for low dollars so that the governor et al can pay back favors to a few. Who wins in this situation? only a few.. the ellis's and the ackermans. And the party they bring in to fund this project. shame on them... crooks disguised as good guys who want to HELP THE STATE! Really... have you seen Ellis's track record? He's always asking for favors and wielding his power. He has helped his friend Ackerman now get a fat paycheck... more state money. to help broker this deal for him. Ask what is in it for Ellis? AGAIN ASK WHAT IS IN IT FOR ELLIS? Are you hearing me? Because he does not care about YOU. Not only is this bad for costa mesa residents and businesses, but for the state as a whole. it is not a prudent way to reap monies to balance the budget. Investigate the people who put this rfp together. Investigate their connections to Ellis and Ackerman. Investiage AEG and Beazley, whoever he is. Someone is raping your daughter. Are you just going to stand there and not do anything? THIS CALLS FOR AN INVESTIGATION! Just because it is coming from the governor’s office doesn’t mean it is squeaky clean. The people on the lower level who work in the department that issues this rfps are not serving the best interest of the state. They are as corrupt as the rest in the political circles. And don’t think they aren’t. I have been in the state system for more than 40 years and have watched the backhandedness of the political folks. Since when does the state go into business with private enterprise like this? and ask for a piece of the action later. That in itself is obvious there is collusion… it is a failsafe tactic for them to award the bid.. not necessarily the highest bid.. to whomever the want. Because they can always say they are betting on the cum. and the cum is a better deal for them. This rfp is written to leave the door wide open for wheeling and dealing and the governor should be ashamed of himself to stoop to this low level in order to balance the budget, which in this case will not make a bit of difference. How does this help the state now? if monies cannot come in now? Please know that the state does not care about the little people…. the hard working blue collars. The state got into this mess because of the greed in high level government positions. And money being spent or diverted to benefit just a few. This is no more than a big corporation created to benefit a few and spit on the rest. No one cares about your county fair, your community, your citizens, your vendors, your tenants… don’t think they do. And those board members are all governor appointees.. favors because they did something for the governator. It is not because they care about you or the fair or any of this. Go see michael moore’s movie that is out right now and you will see a lot of parallels to this scenario. We have to stand up as a whole and not take this. Because what is next? if they get away with this then what?
If you want your jobs back or to keep your jobs, then the state has to clean up its act.. not sell off property for low dollars so that the governor et al can pay back favors to a few. Who wins in this situation? only a few.. the ellis’s and the ackermans. And the party they bring in to fund this project. shame on them… crooks disguised as good guys who want to HELP THE STATE! Really… have you seen Ellis’s track record? He’s always asking for favors and wielding his power. He has helped his friend Ackerman now get a fat paycheck… more state money. to help broker this deal for him. Ask what is in it for Ellis? AGAIN ASK WHAT IS IN IT FOR ELLIS? Are you hearing me? Because he does not care about YOU.
Not only is this bad for costa mesa residents and businesses, but for the state as a whole. it is not a prudent way to reap monies to balance the budget.
Investigate the people who put this rfp together. Investigate their connections to Ellis and Ackerman.
Investiage AEG and Beazley, whoever he is.
Someone is raping your daughter. Are you just going to stand there and not do anything?

]]> By: lovethefair http://ocunfair.com/selling-out-our-children%e2%80%99s-future/the-true-value-of-public-land/comment-page-1/#comment-37 lovethefair Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:17:56 +0000 http://ocunfair.com/?p=38#comment-37 Amen to that luv the OC. now is the time for all opposed to come forward and make yourself heard. Remember this article in the OC Register http://www.ocregister.com/articles/state-governor-officials-2412745-county-fairgrounds Not even the city is for this and the citizens in this community will run the risk of some other entity coming in to town to take over the property and muscle their way to change the ordinance. This is not the time to sit idle if you care about your job. If you are a fair vendor or swap meet vendor or tenant of the fairgrounds including the equestrian center you need to let your voice be heard. Show up to board meetings, write the governor..bombard his office with your opposition and tell your elected officials who we vote for to take a stand on our behalf. only a few folks want this sale to happen. It will not benefit the state. Jobs will still be lost. Probably more so. The fair board has fooled you. i was at the august board meeting and directors told us nothing would change. Mary Young a board member and governor appointee said something like this "we want to keep the fair as is. We just want to get rid of cockroaches and build this building and things like that, but that's it." But the reality is whomever buys this cannot and does not have to promise anything to this fair board or the fair employees or the fair tenants. no one is sacred. all of you should read the rfp carefully. Amen to that luv the OC. now is the time for all opposed to come forward and make yourself heard. Remember this article in the OC Register

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/state-governor-officials-2412745-county-fairgrounds

Not even the city is for this and the citizens in this community will run the risk of some other entity coming in to town to take over the property and muscle their way to change the ordinance. This is not the time to sit idle if you care about your job. If you are a fair vendor or swap meet vendor or tenant of the fairgrounds including the equestrian center you need to let your voice be heard. Show up to board meetings, write the governor..bombard his office with your opposition and tell your elected officials who we vote for to take a stand on our behalf. only a few folks want this sale to happen. It will not benefit the state. Jobs will still be lost. Probably more so. The fair board has fooled you. i was at the august board meeting and directors told us nothing would change. Mary Young a board member and governor appointee said something like this “we want to keep the fair as is. We just want to get rid of cockroaches and build this building and things like that, but that’s it.”
But the reality is whomever buys this cannot and does not have to promise anything to this fair board or the fair employees or the fair tenants. no one is sacred. all of you should read the rfp carefully.

]]> By: luv the OC http://ocunfair.com/selling-out-our-children%e2%80%99s-future/the-true-value-of-public-land/comment-page-1/#comment-36 luv the OC Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:29:58 +0000 http://ocunfair.com/?p=38#comment-36 Well the wish of Ellis and his pals came through; an RFP for the Orange County Fair Grounds is out and available for viewing ( http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/resd/surplus_property/docs/OrangeCounty/OCF_RFP_2009FINAL.pdf). Ok, game on. I have been silent until this document and the road map for this land heist was public. It is now time for the media, law enforcement and the public to act. Now I am just getting into it re the RFP, but want you to read some of the finer points. First of all the RFP is not slated for only a non-profit as the Ellis people (new non-profit board and conspirators) have been saying for the past 6 months. Second, it does not state that the property is to be used exclusively as a fair grounds and or for open space. Quite the contrary, it states that IF THE ZONING CHANGES (and it will; maybe not with this city council, but the next or next…) that the State of California wants their share of the increase in value! Can you believe that the document states out loud that they actually have a plan to profit further when the zoning changes and the value goes up. 180 degree change from what the City of Costa Mesa, State Government and this corrupt board has been saying for months. It gets better; they don’t have to take the highest bidder. Just the one that they think is in the best interest of the citizens of the state. Ok, that means that political insiders like Ellis can impact the end result to ensure that not only they get the property, but that they steal it. I am so glad that the arrogance of this group has evolved into clear greed. This now becomes an easy situation to read for law enforcement and the public. If they think that we as citizens and concerned parties are going to let this happen they have miscalculated the power of clear thinking. Yes, our state is in a bad way, and as a result we are exploring out of the box concepts to help extricate ourselves out of our financial mess; but we haven’t lost our minds! We will not let a connected few steal (yes steal!) our property with a manipulated process to take 150 acres of the best land in America for themselves. The process is obviously slanted, several people have corrupted the system ( and to date the board of directors had been duped ( I say duped because they couldn’t possibly all be in on the scam). BOARD OF DIRECTORS, PLEASE WAKE UP AND LOOK AT THE FACTS! Sounds great to have this asset for the betterment of the citizens and your non-profit; but you are going down a road that has been paved by folks who have an agenda that is not yours and not in the people’s best interest. I have seen on this site that the money floated to buy the property ($30-40 million) is not even enough to pay the interest on our debt for one or two days. With billions of dollars in debt this sale does not help our state in any real way. This is simply a few (Ellis, Ackerman, AEG, Beazley…) who wish to take advantage of our state’s poor situation for themselves. Think: Who is driving this deal and why? The folks listed above (with others we cant see; AEG, Levy Brothers….) Why? Profit and greed. Enough said! Well the wish of Ellis and his pals came through; an RFP for the Orange County Fair Grounds is out and available for viewing ( http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/resd/surplus_property/docs/OrangeCounty/OCF_RFP_2009FINAL.pdf). Ok, game on. I have been silent until this document and the road map for this land heist was public. It is now time for the media, law enforcement and the public to act. Now I am just getting into it re the RFP, but want you to read some of the finer points. First of all the RFP is not slated for only a non-profit as the Ellis people (new non-profit board and conspirators) have been saying for the past 6 months. Second, it does not state that the property is to be used exclusively as a fair grounds and or for open space. Quite the contrary, it states that IF THE ZONING CHANGES (and it will; maybe not with this city council, but the next or next…) that the State of California wants their share of the increase in value! Can you believe that the document states out loud that they actually have a plan to profit further when the zoning changes and the value goes up. 180 degree change from what the City of Costa Mesa, State Government and this corrupt board has been saying for months. It gets better; they don’t have to take the highest bidder. Just the one that they think is in the best interest of the citizens of the state. Ok, that means that political insiders like Ellis can impact the end result to ensure that not only they get the property, but that they steal it.

I am so glad that the arrogance of this group has evolved into clear greed. This now becomes an easy situation to read for law enforcement and the public. If they think that we as citizens and concerned parties are going to let this happen they have miscalculated the power of clear thinking. Yes, our state is in a bad way, and as a result we are exploring out of the box concepts to help extricate ourselves out of our financial mess; but we haven’t lost our minds! We will not let a connected few steal (yes steal!) our property with a manipulated process to take 150 acres of the best land in America for themselves. The process is obviously slanted, several people have corrupted the system ( and to date the board of directors had been duped ( I say duped because they couldn’t possibly all be in on the scam). BOARD OF DIRECTORS, PLEASE WAKE UP AND LOOK AT THE FACTS! Sounds great to have this asset for the betterment of the citizens and your non-profit; but you are going down a road that has been paved by folks who have an agenda that is not yours and not in the people’s best interest. I have seen on this site that the money floated to buy the property ($30-40 million) is not even enough to pay the interest on our debt for one or two days. With billions of dollars in debt this sale does not help our state in any real way. This is simply a few (Ellis, Ackerman, AEG, Beazley…) who wish to take advantage of our state’s poor situation for themselves. Think: Who is driving this deal and why? The folks listed above (with others we cant see; AEG, Levy Brothers….) Why? Profit and greed. Enough said!

]]> By: localoccitizen http://ocunfair.com/selling-out-our-children%e2%80%99s-future/the-true-value-of-public-land/comment-page-1/#comment-4 localoccitizen Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:27:25 +0000 http://ocunfair.com/?p=38#comment-4 Where do i start. first of all this is obvious to anyone with half a brain to be a land grab for Ellis and his "friends". he has said many times that the most underutilized asset in Orange County is the amphitheater. has anyone done any resarch on if he works with with any groups that run or operate venues like this? i looked up this Delta Partners and cant even find a web site. second thing is that with all due respect to many of the folks on the board it is clear that the career staff has been able to walk all over the part time appointees. none have been in the event business (ever), several are housewives with no business experiance (hey how about the real housewives of the OC Fair)and others are at best distracted with thier own lives and divertions. no wonder these folks are taking a long walk down a short pier. being a director of a multi million dollar operation on behalf of the citizens of the State of California is a privalage that carries a responsiblity higher than what we are recieving with this group. PLEASE wake up and do you job. the staff is to follow YOUR direction and orders, not the other way around. Keep the assets of California in the hands of the people and dont let these connected few steal our property for thier own gain. Where do i start. first of all this is obvious to anyone with half a brain to be a land grab for Ellis and his “friends”. he has said many times that the most underutilized asset in Orange County is the amphitheater. has anyone done any resarch on if he works with with any groups that run or operate venues like this? i looked up this Delta Partners and cant even find a web site. second thing is that with all due respect to many of the folks on the board it is clear that the career staff has been able to walk all over the part time appointees. none have been in the event business (ever), several are housewives with no business experiance (hey how about the real housewives of the OC Fair)and others are at best distracted with thier own lives and divertions. no wonder these folks are taking a long walk down a short pier. being a director of a multi million dollar operation on behalf of the citizens of the State of California is a privalage that carries a responsiblity higher than what we are recieving with this group. PLEASE wake up and do you job. the staff is to follow YOUR direction and orders, not the other way around. Keep the assets of California in the hands of the people and dont let these connected few steal our property for thier own gain.

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