I want to inform Ramona’s Equestrian Community (EC) about a new group dedicated to preserving equestrian and other related recreational use throughout the San Diego County.

The organization, San Diego County Equestrian Foundation (SDCEF.org), was formed to give the EC one voice in an effort to open a dialogue with the county for the specific purpose of rehabilitating the outdated Zoning Ordinance by working with the county and other relevant government agencies to facilitate long-needed changes. The organization seeks to modify definitions, permitting and codes related to horsekeeping and how horses are treated in the Zoning Ordinance.

The TEA Party this year has been stressing the U.S. Constitution, and this month the subject is property rights and how dramatically they affect you. Very loosely, if you own property east of Ramona, the County Board of Supervisors intends to redistribute your wealth to property owners west of Ramona through the county’s new General Plan.

It’s important to understand that without property rights no other rights are possible, not speech, press, or religion.

The issues to be covered:
Two theories of government,
The origin of property taxation,
The origin of private property,
The true American Revolution which more and more Americans are abandoning.

   For those of you who misread my guest commentary, let me elaborate on everything that was said.

   I grew up in a time when I could walk to school and spend all summer from 7 a.m. to dark traveling anywhere my bicycle would take me, and a huge part of my summer was my county fair. The people who made the decision to take the carnival and concessions away from our fair I believe should have asked the kids and parents of those who are making it happen.

   I appreciate all the volunteers who put in so many thankless hours in the coordination of our fair, but what about the kids? Think about how many freedoms they no longer have and unfortunately they lose their freedoms because too many of us lack the effort to keep their opportunities open to them. Definitely because of the scumbags that could pick on our kids or our animals, they make it a lot more difficult than when we were kids, but we all need to stand up and put in that extra effort so maybe our kids can still be kids for a few extra days.

   Here I am at the library again after a three-month absence. I have really missed all of you and I have truly appreciated all the wonderful cards, beautiful flowers, home baked goodies of all kinds and prayers for my speedy recovery. Thank you for all who came to take my place at book sales, board meetings and other events.  You all did a wonderful job. 

   We also had good luck in getting a new editor for our newsletter, “Friendly Waves.”  Her name is Stacey Riordan and she is retired from the Ramona Fire Department.  I have talked to her on the phone and she is a delight to talk with.

   This summer the excitement of seeing our beautiful new library grow in leaps and bounds has been a thrill for all to behold.  It made the months of all the early morning meetings that Joan Gansert, Dick Wayman and I attended this past winter and spring all worthwhile and more so.

   This year’s Ramona Fair may have a different look, but there is no separation. I feel as president of the Ramona Junior Fair Board of Directors I need to set the record straight and let the people of Ramona know the “Rest of the Story.”

   It’s easy to look into any organization and pass judgment, but until you’ve walked a mile in that group’s footsteps you can’t know what went into the various decisions.  Last week’s  guest commentary passed judgment on the decision to change this great event for the community. 

   First off—the Country Fair and the Junior Fair didn’t split. Bottom line, there was just a shift in activity.  The Ramona Jr. Fair has always started the last Saturday in July and finished the Sunday following the first Saturday. Unbeknown to most people, the kids have activities running before the traditional large animals move in, activities like the Dog Show, Rabbit Show, Cavy Show, Goat Show and Horse Show.  All these activities this year are getting the recognition and attendance that these kids deserve. 

  There was a recent guest commentary by Matt Deskovick regarding his displeasure in the separation of the Ramona Country Fair and the Junior Fair here in Ramona. I would like to first address Mr. Deskovick with respect to the fine people that volunteer their precious time in support of the businesses, community and children of Ramona. It is important to highlight that all of the organizations that you cited are run by caring and compassionate volunteers who only want to either promote Ramona, support the youth or bring fun, safe and entertaining venues to our beloved town.

   Ramona, how dare you complain about your government, your elected officials and your economy, when you cannot even make a good decision that directly impacts your own community. Some of our most ignorant people, the fair board maybe, maybe the 4-H board, possibly the chamber, only you know who you are.

   For those of you who don’t know what I am talking about, the Ramona Fair this year is going to be separated. Partially because those of you who knew this months ago said nothing, or you did not attempt to change anything but instead sat behind closed doors and complained rather than standing up, you have the lack of courage and mostly intelligence to hold those who made this decision accountable.

   Whoa! Both ears forward. What is that coming at me?

   Last year, I finally bought my dream home, an old broken down, bank owned house in the country. It is about the same vintage as the house my dad built in 1949.

   I was fortunate enough to get the best general contractor in town, James Cathcart. He is a perfectionist, honest, reliable, reasonable, and an awesome guy, to make it habitable again. He went beyond habitable. It’s beautiful and energy efficient.

   I bought some sheep from Katie Cane to help mow the weeds on my 1-plus acre. Wonderful lady. I bought a truck load of road material to fill in the massive puddle in the road from a Ramona-owned company, They knew just the right material to use.
I’m learning to spin the wool from my sheep. I’ve died and gone to heaven.

   America is one vote away from losing our liberty; U.S. Supreme Court narrowly upholds right to bear arms 5-4.
  
   Ramona Tea’d Constitutional Forum to discuss Firearms = Freedom at Mainstage on July 31.

    In June 2010, five justices of the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Second Amendment of the Constitution, affirming the right of the people to bear arms, a right that has been upheld for 234 years.

    That’s the good news. The bad news is that four Supreme Court justices ruled to deny the citizen’s right of self-defense. This means that our right to bear arms is hanging by a thread, within one single vote of being abolished and of us resultingly losing our liberty. If we allow the liberal elitists to abolish the Second Amendment, we will soon lose every other right because we will have lost the ultimate ability to defend those rights and to defend ourselves.