OPINION: Shame On Supervisors Benoit, Tavaglione and Ashley

Was there ever a doubt that we won? NO!

It cannot be undone. Granite Construction is still the loser.

Now, comes the slimy stuff: First, Riverside County Supervisor John Tavaglione’s flip-flop to the dark side to vote with his colleagues, Supervisors John Benoit and Marion Ashley, to certify the Environmental Impact Report for the project. Then, slick as can be, Granite Construction steps in with a revised, slightly smaller, application for a mine and wants to “As “luck” would have it, they have a certified EIR. Not only has the music died, it is buried deep in a morass of lies and deceit.

Next move on this "BOS" chessboard, Benoit makes a motion to amend the existing fast-track ordinance to allow surface mines to be included. Liberty, by the way, is NOT a surface mine. It is a deep open pit mine. Then, what do you know, Tavaglione suggests, ”Why not fast-track other projects as well?” 

No surprise, the next move was for the “Three Stooges” to vote in favor of the fast-track motion; Supervisors Jeff Stone and Bob Buster were the two dissenters. The final vote is still to come.

This arrogance is disturbing. If these three men are allowed to brazenly change the rules to satisfy Granite, what does that say about their integrity? It is disgusting and simply outrageous.

What’s next? Fast-track a dump next to the quarry? A nuclear plant in Anza? Wind turbines along Highway 79? Guys, are you planning to follow CEQA laws?

There are reasons for the current laws and rules, and ordinances are in place. There are reasons for sensitive projects like mines and landfills to be carefully evaluated as to their effects on the surrounding areas and communities. But you all know that. You just don’t care … and as such, you should not be representing the people. You just want to make the way easier for the “Granites” of this world.

I quote Gandhi, “There is sufficiency in this world for man’s need, but not for man’s greed."

Supervisors, what you do speaks louder than what you say.

Shame, shame on all of you.

Jerri Arganda, Rainbow resident