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December 29. 2002 <br /> I <br /> 12392 West Ripon Road <br /> Ripon,.CA 95366 <br /> San Joaquin County Community Development Department <br /> Development Services Division <br /> 1810 East Hazelton Avenue <br /> Stockton, CA 95205 <br /> Attn: Leanne Mueller <br /> Dear Ms. Mueller, <br /> 1 am writing this letter in regard to Application Number PA-0200625 (SA). I am a <br /> property owner whose property-abuts the Old German Baptist Church;l '155 West Ripon <br /> Road. I should mention that the bedroom section of our house is a mere 20 feet from the <br /> church building. The unpaved parking lot is right next to our bedroom window, probably <br /> 10 feet. Our driveways are about 6 feet apart. <br /> I would like to preface my remarks by stating that I have lived in this house for almost <br /> forty years. My husband and I are elderly people who would like to live out our days in <br /> this house. I have a serious case of lupus, which has not been helped by the stress of this <br /> situation. Our rights have been totally disregarded as people who will be MOST affected <br /> by this proposed change of use from religious assembly to veteran's organization use. Let <br /> me explain. <br /> First of all, The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors held a meeting on November 12, <br /> 2002, in which they amended the land use ordinance to allow the sale of the church to the <br /> veteran's organization. We neighbors of the church were not even notified that a decision <br /> was to be made which would have a profound impact on our lives. We found out by <br /> accident that the meeting was to take place. When we attended the meeting, we found the <br /> meeting "packed" with members of the VFW Post 1051. We were totally unprepared for <br /> what was to take place. Is this fair representation to honest tax paying citizens to be <br /> completely shut out of such a process? <br /> In addition to this unfair treatment, we found out that the former Ripon City Mayor, Don <br /> Moyers, was acting on behalf of the veterans group to push this land use ordinance <br /> through. What part does Mr. Moyers have in this situation? Why is he representing the <br /> interest of the VFW? Several lies were told to the Supervisors by the applicants at the <br /> November meeting. For example: Mr. Moyers stated that the church had not held services <br /> in the building during the past two years. The veterans group stated that they would not <br /> apply for a liquor license. They stated that the property would be used mainly on Friday <br /> nights and that the organization exists for mostly charitable purposes. They stated that <br /> they are not open past 6:00 pm. The VFW also stated that they do not serve alcoholic <br /> beverages to outsiders. I don't know where to begin to expose these fabrications! First of <br /> all, I know from living next door that the church has been used on a continuous basis to <br />