Rich, it’s always easy to take cheap shots at people that you don't know. Guess I'm a big target and that is to be expected. Everyone is a somebody behind a keyboard. Maybe I should ask you, "What are you doing to get a drag strip in SoCal?"
I can't expect you to become an expert in my project when you weren't involved in any capacity. So let me correct your statements.
The staff report, which was written by Eric Vail, the City attorney, was written to persuade the commission and in the end was proven to be false on several points.
First, we did do construction on our project. IT WAS CALLED THE BARBOUR STREET EXTENSION (street, water lines, gas lines, electric, lights, sidewalks, curb and gutter) According to the City Attorney (who was not at the city during this construction in 2004) stated that OUR GROUP only supervised the construction and that all the fees were paid for by the City's redevelopment agency.
That was FALSE:
WE PAID $198,000. The City paid $62,500. This alone creates a VESTMENT and by law we no longer need the permit to be extended. Ask any developer what that means and they will tell you that what I say is true and is protected under the 5th Amendment. Especially in California.
Another fact to remember is we held off on any and all track construction for several reasons and for several years because of the City's inability to get the FAA land release until Nov. 2006.
Ironically, according to the City's staff report this was already 3 months after the time that they claim our permit actually expired. My attorney thinks either way, the City is in the wrong and will be paying a nice settlement to us or a HUGE AWARD after a trial.
In essence, the planning commission voted (rubber stamped) to revoke something that by law they couldn't, on the advice of a uninformed city attorney. They did what they were told to do. Which brings us to this:
BANNING IS DEAD!
WE ARE NOT!
This is not the end for the DRAG CITY dream and you will continue to see my name in the sport of DRAG RACING for years to come.
So my challenge to you is find us a place to build a track in SoCal and a City who would like one and then let me know.
I can't expect you to become an expert in my project when you weren't involved in any capacity. So let me correct your statements.
The staff report, which was written by Eric Vail, the City attorney, was written to persuade the commission and in the end was proven to be false on several points.
First, we did do construction on our project. IT WAS CALLED THE BARBOUR STREET EXTENSION (street, water lines, gas lines, electric, lights, sidewalks, curb and gutter) According to the City Attorney (who was not at the city during this construction in 2004) stated that OUR GROUP only supervised the construction and that all the fees were paid for by the City's redevelopment agency.
That was FALSE:
WE PAID $198,000. The City paid $62,500. This alone creates a VESTMENT and by law we no longer need the permit to be extended. Ask any developer what that means and they will tell you that what I say is true and is protected under the 5th Amendment. Especially in California.
Another fact to remember is we held off on any and all track construction for several reasons and for several years because of the City's inability to get the FAA land release until Nov. 2006.
Ironically, according to the City's staff report this was already 3 months after the time that they claim our permit actually expired. My attorney thinks either way, the City is in the wrong and will be paying a nice settlement to us or a HUGE AWARD after a trial.
In essence, the planning commission voted (rubber stamped) to revoke something that by law they couldn't, on the advice of a uninformed city attorney. They did what they were told to do. Which brings us to this:
BANNING IS DEAD!
WE ARE NOT!
This is not the end for the DRAG CITY dream and you will continue to see my name in the sport of DRAG RACING for years to come.
So my challenge to you is find us a place to build a track in SoCal and a City who would like one and then let me know.
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