An Open Letter to Members of SOS-Hills and Temecula Citizens

Dear friends,

We have fought Liberty Quarry over many years, numerous hearings and been together at a variety of events. 

I wrote extensively about the issues as a columnist for The Californian.  I was there on the street corners waving signs and doffing my hat to drivers that honked in support of our effort to save our southwest hills.  At every opportunity, we stood together in opposition to the destruction of pristine land that threatens local communities, the wildlife corridor, the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve and the creation site of the Pechanga people.

At almost every public hearing, I was present and often spoke of LAFCO’s inappropriate action in protecting the site for Liberty Quarry from Temecula’s rightful annexation.

City leaders told us they could not fight LAFCO so they never tried.  Instead, it was the City that carved out the quarry site in a revised annexation request.  It was the City that caved to LAFCO demands to abandon the existing sphere of influence where the pit of Liberty Quarry was slated to be.  We were told it was just a line on a map and that the City gave away nothing.  We were told we would prevail through the County process.

It appears Granite Construction is the prevailing party that will have their quarry fast-tracked by the County while the City and SOS-Hills engage in defensive litigation.

Ask yourselves where we might be today had a member of the City Council insisted upon taking legal action against LAFCO then?  LAFCO had no right to create a distant County island and LAFCO has no authority to make land-use decisions.  Nobody on the City Council was willing to take a stand and we see the results of that failure today.

On July 13, 2010, I was the voice of reason behind the podium warning the Temecula City Council against the blunder they were making.  Those behind the dais said they knew best and voted unanimously to give up a piece of the original annexation area and the sphere of influence.

Imagine if I had been able to make my argument from behind the dais on that day and if I could have questioned and challenged the things we were told.

I am running for City Council to step up the fight to protect our turf.  I will ask for a criminal investigation of the County proceedings and Granite’s influence over the public process.

I will bring the fight where the incumbent council feared to tread, but only with your support.  Please visit my campaign web site at www.pauljacobs4temecula.com