Crowe letter

The following is a letter mailed to an old town murrietan who has forwarded it via e-mail to me. Though it was supposed to run before the election, I did not receive it in time.According to the old town Murrietan, the Californian refused to print it, that is inconsistent with Californian policy so they probably just couldn't publish it before the election. I have not verified the statements made in this letter, but I do think Murrietans should see it....

Here Is Just One Family’s Reason To Vote ….RECALL

I write this with a heavy heart and yet with a compelling desire for all Murrieta residents to fully understand the importance of the recall election on May 3, 2005.

My extended family and I purchased 40 acres in beautiful Murrieta in 1973 on Adams Avenue between Nutmeg Street and Grizzly Ridge. At that time, the property was in the County. In 1991, we became part of the City of Murrieta upon incorporation. Since 1996, there have been four sub-divisions approved by the City surrounding our properties. Twenty of our original forty acres are now within Fiesta Development “Ashby” Grizzly Ridge project and Granite Homes project.

We looked forward to being a part of a new City with new housing, streets, parks, and other infrastructure; including new neighbors. The City started with a reasonably good General Plan of Development to provide for the future wants and need of the Community.

In our situation alone, the City (encouraged by the votes of Mayor Van Haaster and Councilman Seyarto) has continually agreed with land developers, their representatives and engineers to not abide by laws and ordinances and have denied us as smaller existing land owners our personal and real property rights guaranteed by the California State Constitution, the Subdivision Map Act, California Environmental Quality Act, Riverside County Ordinance 348, Riverside County Ordinance 460, 461 and the elements of the City of Murrieta General Plan, City of Murrieta Code Title 16 and the City of Murrieta Grading Ordinance 8.12.100. This means that under the current City leadership, new high tax revenues will never buy the people of Murrieta what the General Plan should guarantee.

Although each owner in our family has been victim of Murrieta’s numerous illegal dealings, the most recent situation occurred when a portion of my father-in-laws property was taken from him without notice or purchase in order for Granite Homes to build five additional homes within their development. The Edison Company and Verizon were allowed to place underground utilities within my father-in-laws half of the easement without permission. This left him with a 12 foot wide by 750 foot long dead-end road with no way for emergency vehicles to turn around. My ninety-year old father-in-law did not have the strength to fight the system. His property did finally sell for a fraction of its value. My father-in-law passed away last August and never had resolve regarding the property that he owned for over thirty years.

I have recently been made aware that this type of unlawful activity has taken place throughout the City. Many others are continuing to step forward and voice that they to have been violated as well.

Please don’t forget exercise your right to vote on May 3, 2005. This is your chance to vote for individuals who possess integrity, honesty and truly represent the will of the people.


Fred Crowe
(In loving memory of Ralph Fiscus)