What is up with the CGID lately?

Say what you will, this is about the fence "around" the Canyon General Improvement District's (CGID) yard on Canyon Road.
My opinion: the fence is UGLY and a big waste of money: the entire south end is left completely open. It wouldn't keep out an elephant. A great 'Big F-You' to you citizens and YOUR money. It makes the community look like a military encampment.
Another example of what passes for local operations gone awry; like the sewer construction company not dealing with our current annoying dust problem. We are promised it will end by February.
And...
The monthly sewer rates that CGID plans to start charging in January are a bit over-the-top. A call to ask about how those rates were set only brought an angry reaction and, after a few followup questions, a very rude hang up. There was an eventual call back; saying a letter from "the Federal government person" that either set, or had a major role in setting, that rate will be forthcoming. Watch this space. Governing enities on this side of the river don't seem to like questions about anything they plan. Even from a blog like this. Be forewarned.
BTW:
The Board of Directors of LCC announced at this month's meeting they are planning to roll back their monthy payment demand less than half what will be the sewer fee increase of monthly CGID payments. That is, if all remains as published in the CGID monthly single-sheet-covers-all mailing that comes with their bill about a week after the first of every month..

If this information is at odds with any secrecy agreement in any current Rules and Regulations, the Board is invited to involve this writer in yet another LCC stupid law suit. After all it concerns of both the LCC corporation and wider community and folks outta know. And, of course, Consititutional guarentees to free speech.

Sign Up for Food Co-op

Nope, not quite yet. We (an aggregate of maybe three) are looking into possibly making a food co-op for the East Truckee River Canyon community(s). If you are interested, sign up here. Sign-ups will continue through this year. The co-op will begin operation when there are enough participants to make wholesale buying economically feasible.
You need to leave a means to be contacted on the sign-up listing or via email.
Read the previous blog entry for more details.

After a long absence: MORE STUFF!

It may be givng me away, but the long period between blog entries is due to lack of interest (mine) and (just incidentally) major surgery.

THE NEWS:
A Food Co-op is being formed to augment the existing Food Bank at the Lockwood Center on Peri Ranch Road.

The Food Bank is open every Monday and Wednesday. Sign ups begin at 10am. There is usually a line that begins to form very early; so come early!

Food Co-op questionaires and first Order forms will be made when sufficient participation is gathered. Rules and By-laws are being solicited, so add a Comment if you have ideas about how to do this thing!
LOOKS LIKE...
There may be a fee as annual or monthly (maybe weekly) dues.
BUT...
All members will be expected to contribute (on a rotating basis) toward doing the work involved. This means it is foolhearty to get involved unless you can volunteer a few hours a month to make this work. Ordering will be online and via a signed written form. Certain exceptions are seen as necessary regarding price structure. That will be handled discretely.
STILL...
At this juncture, the Co-op is just being organized. A questionaire may be included in the LCC monthly mailing to enlist your participation. Fill it out and leave it at the mailboxes. There will be a box for this purpose. Later, it will be used to collect Order Forms. Future weekly forms will be available at the Center and other locations in the community.

This co-op will make fresh vegetables, fruit, cheese, and other foodstuffs available at wholesale or below costs. Ordering will dictate buying; so get your orders in before the deadline. Orders will be distributed on a weekly schedule. To expedite delivery and keep costs within reason, members will have to come pick up their orders. There will be exception available if a person is unable to do this.

FYI: this co-op will be organized either as augmentation of the exsisting food bank, or as part of LCC, or as a totally seperate enitity. Decision as to which of these three possibilities will come as organizing evolves. Your input through Comments is appreciated. Expect an Organizing Meeting soon at the Center. Watch this spot for announcements.

AND...
Phil (Notorious) Foster "has left the building."
He picked up and took off for parts unknown after receiving a letter from the Bureau of Reclamation (Newlands). Threatening jail, confiscation of his personal property, and just plain onreyness, Phil decided the dream of a Veterans Training Center in Mustang was beyond the grasp of the East Truckee River community.
Who can blame him? Pity.
Letters to authorities over the treatment he received have been fired off. So far, only Congressman Heller has sent a "form letter" reply.

Infrastructure Fails: Blackout Hits

On February 3rd, a pole-mounted transformer (or two) blew and, by large, the town was in darkness. For many hours. Workmen got right to work repairing the damage. Television and refrigeration and street light and all the other electrical appliances so integral to our life were again working.
And...
Rates went up on this month's bill. A co-incident of significance or preview of things to come? Say what you will, but this is a case of Stupendously Bad Timing (for a rate change). They could have waited until a month with less useage? Guess not! Bet they wonder why they have such bad PR!

TIRED OF ALL THE UNNECESSARY NOISE AROUND HERE?

That is, are you tired of all the train HORN noise?
WELL, I AM. Especially in the early morning hours!
"They" say its the law.
Trains have to sound their horn in congested areas, right?
Like Lockwood? At 3 AM?
So, here is the real skinny.
And here.
And here is more about it.
There are such things as "Quiet Zones."
Lockwood ought to be one.
Now, about the freeway...

Quiet Auction: Cash on the Barrelhead

Ever been to an auction where cash on the barrelhead was the singular term of payment? (Money order, or cashier check? They were OK, but no time would be given to secure one in the right amount.) One was given Tuesday, February 3, at eleven AM, in front of Space 61 by the Lockwood Community Corporation (LCC).

There were many strange things about this auction. First, there was a "hold harmless" clause; stipulating that no guarantees were to be made as to any title, or ownership of the property auctioned, or even that the auction was bona fide. A bidder was bidding on good faith and little else, it seemed. No handouts were given out in explaination of the stringent terms, nor of the lengthy dialogue read by the auctioneer. A call for questions brought an inquiry "if a winning bidder would be given to the end of business." They would not. Cash sale means cash only, replied the auctioneer, on demand immediately at the end of the auction.

There was no doubt that every level of LCC management was present, or represented, in the small crowd that had gathered. The Secretary/Treasurer, the President and Manager were there for reasons that were unspoken.

A stranger began the action with a bid of $10,000. Nobody bid higher. Then came a demand for payment. He did not know the "cash only" aspect was firm, but offered what would be taken as good credit anywhere.. Unable to render cash payment, he was banned from further bidding. The show went on, as did overly obvious and rude comments and body language gesturing, directed at this man whose only crime was not understanding.
So...
The auctioneer began again. Again, the winning bidder did not have cash on hand; this time due to an error in communication between him and the banned bidder.

Again, the bidding went back to a last bid of the remaining bidders, $4,500. There were three bidders that had bid the price to $6,000. Beginning again, the price went to $5,100 and it was settled.
Where else, but in Lockwood, can you buy a house for that amount of money?

It was later learned that LCC was not to benefit from any funds greater than the amount held in lien; rumored to be about $1,500 in back rent. Inquiry, about where the balance was to go, has at his writing gone without reply.

Sheriff's Office Has Moved

According to the Canyon Government Improvement District (CGID) monthly one-pager mail, Commissioner Kershaw and Sheriff Miller get allocades for "the excellent coverage (by law enforcement)for the Lockwood area. The new location is in the commercial building on Canyon Way right next to the store! We are very thankful for their presence there."
Emergencies can still be helped by calling 911. Call the CGID or the Sheriff's Office 775-847-0959 for the actual physical address (mailing probably remains: 911 State Route 341 S, Virginia City, NV 89440).