Merced Alliance for Responsible Growth (MARG); Protect our Water (POW); San Joaquin Valley Conservancy (SJVC); Central Valley Safe Environment Network/Clipping Service (CVSEN); and San Joaquin Raptor Rescue Center or San Joaquin Raptor/Wildlife Rescue Center (SJRRC).
Ever hear of them?
We need a detective -- or perhaps a top-notch investigative reporter -- to find out who these "groups" really are. I say groups because it's hard for me to tell whether they are a single person, a small crowd or a stadium full of humanity.
And while we're at it, let's ask our investigator to discover their real motives -- and who's bankrolling their endeavors.
This collection of acronyms, along with cabals such as San Joaquin Et Al and the Valley Land Alliance, have been busy filing lawsuits to prevent development.
Katie Albertson, director of governmental affairs and public information officer for Merced County, put it this way: "I've only been here since 2006, but I can't recall a single major development project in the county that hasn't resulted in a lawsuit."
I talked with Duane Andrews, president of Golden Valley Engineering and Surveying. He does a great number of development projects and says it's even worse saying that "my clients have been sued or threatened with a lawsuit to stop each and every project, small or large, for the past two to three years."
Albertson was quick to explain that it costs the taxpayer nothing because developers have to sign an indemnity contract when they submit their projects.
While that may be technically correct, it follows that someone has to pay for the additional work required to litigate, win or lose.
Mike Bogna, a member of the Merced County Board of Supervisors from 1986 to 1994, said he thinks the system has gotten out of hand.
Bogna said, "They combine the litigation fees with other fees and call them 'developer fees.' Heck, call them like they are, 'buyer fees.' They all just increase the price of the projects."
So why do I want the Sun-Star to do the investigative work?
First, they're good at it. They've won awards for their digging and reporting. Besides, we haven't heard much from Jonah Owen Lamb's investigative pen lately.
Or maybe a brand-new reporter could cut his or her teeth on this project.
Second, because I gave it a shot -- and failed.
Oh, I tried all right. I found a few Web sites that seemed to be correct. For example, I found a Web site for SJRRC, the San Joaquin Raptor Rescue Center.
That site talked about injured birds and animals. Returning them to the wild. Docents and volunteers. All warm and fuzzy-feeling.
Nothing about lawsuits.
Once during my search, I found a very prolific Web site called The Badlands Journal. I thought I had struck gold at the outset.
Fool's gold maybe.
I found an article from SJRRC that thanked a list of donors who contributed to their legal fund.
But ...
It was followed by a letter from an attorney representing a well-known Merced area family. That letter asked the SJRRC to remove their name from the list, stating they had made no such contributions.
Another official letter asked that an agency be removed from the e-mail list that SJRRC uses.
In both cases, the SJRRC thumbed its noses at the requests.
Mind you now, that's assuming the Badlands Journal is tellin' da truth and da whole truth and nuttin' but.
Why didn't I make contact with them you ask?
They have an "editorial board" -- unlisted, of course. Their Web site's "about us" page is "coming soon."
Their "contact us" takes me to an online form to fill out, which told me nothing. Their address is but a post office box number.
(To be fair, there's an exception to the rule, the Valley Land Alliance, which has a Web site that clearly defines their goals, purpose and membership.)
Will Rogers said, "I never yet met a man that I didn't like."
Would these secret cartels say, "I never yet met a development project that I liked?"
Or does it just seem that way?
Tell me ol' investigative reporter, please.
Tom Frazier writes Sun Dog and can be reached at sundog@promessage.com.
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