Letter to the Editor: County Supervisors Are 'Wolves In Sheep's Clothing'

Last Supervisors meeting, four of you voted in favor of the Solar MUP and Dianne Jacob voted against this intrusion into our Rural Ramona.

Four of you do not know the meaning of "compatible" or "harmony."

You four did not listen to what Ramona unanimously was stating but you did listen to your staff, the developers (an LLC) and the landowner who will profit from this ugly project.

NONE OF YOU PEOPLE LIVE IN RAMONA! Even the property owner does not live in Ramona.

What a slap in Ramona's face. We asked you to find another location... we offered many other locations that would not be as intrusive into the heart of Ramona's Valley of the Sun. Evidently, neither your staff nor four of the Supervisors comprehended that the sun shines in places other than Ramona Street and Warnock Drive.

When Dianne Jacob asked if any of you four would consider moving your decision until other locations were investigated by staff, you all indicated you would not support that motion. Even the new guy flipped-flopped for some reason I could not understand.

It appears that the Board of Supervisors only listens and agrees with their planning groups when it benefits the County's tax base... when it pays the bills.

Didn't you all realize there is 1,473 acres of solar projects in the works in Southeast County that will produce 168.5 megawatts of electrical power? And you proceeded to  dump a solar farm on Ramona that will produce a mere 7.5 megawatts.

Our planning group has learned to watch out for wolves in sheep's clothing... we'll be ready for any other profit oriented LLC solar power venture that wants to stick another project at a highly visible location.

If there has ever been a good reason for Ramona to incorporate, this item will be our war cry... "Remember the Solar Farm."

I hope Bill Horn's constituency is aware that he stated he does not have to go out in person and look at Major Project developments in his District. What the hell kind of representation is that? There should be a state law that requires elected officials leave the comforts of their office and visit, in person, any major development site.

You still don't have a "Solar Power Ordinance" that makes any sense; you've been asked for a better ordinance than what exists months ago and I do not believe  you have started the effort.

Currently, these ugly projects can be placed anywhere. Come on, staff —get off your butts and write a better ordinance!

Spare other County communities the agony of defeat... it's too late for Ramona and we're mad as hell.

Joe Minervini, a dis-enchanted Ramonan