This is such a great story in last weeks PE.  As many of you know, the local Jurupa Area Recreation and Park District is throwing a fit because Riverside County Congressman Ken Calvert bought a piece of land from the water and sewer agency before it was offered to other local government agencies as required by law.  It doesn't appear Calvert did anything wrong.  He assumed the water and sewer agency followed the law and would not know if they didn't.

But now in what appears to be an attempt to embarrass Congressman Calvert or maybe just a pure opportunistic land grab, the Jurupa Area Recreation and Park District wants, "permission to seize by eminent domain 4 acres owned by Rep. Ken Calvert and his partners."

Really?  We have to eminent domain private land for a park?  Instead of Congressman Calvert's land, I suggest the land where the local City Council's houses sit as much better places for parks.  They would be more spread out and more accessible in the local neighborhoods.

Also, as Supervisor John Tavaglione pointed out, the Jurupa Area Recreation and Park District has no money to pay for the property if they eminent domained it for a park and it is right next to a bar.  Not exactly the kind of environment you have to forcibly take for kids to play on.  Some might even argue that bars and parks should be zoned a little bit away from each other.

At least two of our local Republican Supervisor's voted against this foolishness.

At the end of more than an hour of public testimony and heated debate, supervisors deadlocked 2-2 on whether to grant the district permission.

Tavaglione and Supervisor Bob Buster voted to grant permission, and Jeff Stone and Marion Ashley voted against.

Supervisor Roy Wilson had excused himself from the meeting Tuesday morning, saying he had other business.

I don't agree with Tavaglione's vote, but at least I understand the logic of saying, "Do whatever you want and you will have to answer to the voters if you take property you can't pay for or if you build a park by a bar."  Okay.

But Supervisor Roy Wilson, "fleeting courage" when it came time to vote is sad.  Why battle to get Republican officials elected if when it is time to take a tough vote to defend private property rights, they take a walk.

I can't wait to hear why Wilson could be there?  Anybody out there know?

At least as Tavaglione pointed out, they won't be coming back to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors for more county taxpayer funding.  If they have $4 million of their own funds for this park purchase, the welfare from the county taxpayers should be over, right?

Tavaglione said the park district often comes to him for financial assistance -- "My office has given your district $22 million over 14 years," he said -- and questioned the park district's ability to come up with the money to buy the land even if the eminent domain request were granted.

"It's no secret the park district has been cash strapped for years," Tavaglione told Dan Rodriguez, general manager of the Jurupa Area Recreation and Park District.

As Rodriguez attempted to explain park district funding sources that might be used, Tavaglione interjected, "I'm very glad to hear your district won't be coming to my office for assistance anymore."

Tavaglione, who represents the district that includes the Jurupa area, said that the Limonite Avenue property was near a bar and a liquor store.

"If they want to put kids that they serve there, go for it," Tavaglione said.

And lastly, as further evidence that this is all just a way for some local leftist to embarrass a conservative Member of Congress, check out these quotes by the Jurupa activist they just happen to interview for this article:

Tavaglione's comments at Tuesday's public hearing came after a parade of speakers -- including four directors of the Jurupa park board -- urged supervisors to grant the request, saying a park was owed to the community.

"We don't want to take property away from individuals," park board member Larry Riddle said. "We just want to do what is fair for the community."

Resident Liz McCormick suggested that supervisors were reluctant to grant permission for fear of displeasing a powerful U.S. congressman.

"You want to blow this over for your congressman friend," McCormick. "It's disgusting."

Buster praised Jurupa park officials for their efforts to acquire land for a community park.

"This board, instead of running you through a gauntlet, should be helping you to acquire this property," Buster told Rodriguez. "I wish you luck."

There are too many Republican's in Riverside County and especially southwest Riverside County to put up with a leftist like Bob Buster pretending to be non-partisan.  When are we going to get a good candidate to take him out?

All of these exciting issues and more can be revisited because, "according to Deputy County Counsel Katherine Lind, the matter must be brought back for a decisive vote. It will be considered again March 11."

Let's hope all of our 4 Republican Supervisors' will stand up for private property rights this time.