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Brite Lake...Brite Lake...Brite Lake!! Too many tacos stands! September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 
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Brite Lake...Brite Lake...Brite Lake!!
Your lake works: Fix ours! Tom Sawyer Lake used to be the "Bling of Golden Hills"...that is until irresponsible stewards allowed it to fall into mismanagement and subsequent ruin. Is there anyone out there with some stones that can muster up the might of the community and demand what is right: fix the eyesore and generate revenues while doing it!!! Build a nature walk with the involvement of the local communities, Cub Scouts, etc... How 'bout a driving range? or...a wetlands animal refuge WOW! Even paddle boats for rent!! It can happen. And it did. Jon Hammond can attest to that fact. He posted a pictorial a while back that fully illustrated the beauty and grandeur that once exemplified Golden Hills as a gorgeous community...Hey, Jon....still got them there photos?
BinFordBry 26 comments from 7 users
posted by
ProgressoDasani
on Nov 28, 2007 at 01:25 PM
Maybe, like Bill Mead suggested a few years ago, we should erect a statue of Don Adams. I recommend that we place it in the remains of Tom Sawyer Lake as a suitable monument to his community and environmental stewardship. There it would stand as a testament to his love and concern to this land "where the oaks meet the pines". Yep, I can see Don now, standing in the midst of this glorious lakebed atop a mound of decomposing sewage, his shining visage reflecting in the bluish-green sheen of an oil-slick, with the remains of an abandoned bicycle at his feet. Does my heart good! posted by
sushisoo
on Nov 28, 2007 at 01:34 PM
I totally feel your pain BinFordBry, but you're completely overlooking a huge distinction: Brite Lake is part of our local parks department. Tom Sawyer Lake is not. Tom Sawyer Lake is privately owned and was man-made to make money for the owner, period, end of story. The public health department apparrently doesn't care that the dilapidated buildings are easily accessible to our young kids, and are strewn with all manner of debris and rotting carcasses. Nor do they seem interested in testing the obviously polluted scum, aka water. Maybe some smart science-guy/grant writer will discover some endangered species is mutating from drinking that nasty muck. Oh wait, that would require trespassing on private property! The mean rub is that clearly the owner doesn't want improve the property and won't sell until he can get tiptop dollar for his minimal, but twice-failed investment - or is it a three time loser, I've lost track. The big question is, how do you propose to force a private property owner into providing public access and improving or preserving his own land for little or no profit? Solve that puzzle and you can run for President. Of the Sierra Club. Or maybe the ACLU. posted by
ProgressoDasani
on Nov 28, 2007 at 01:47 PM
The answer is called a lawsuit against a public nuisance. It was won a few years ago, but the CSD apparently "forgot" to enforce it. I wonder how many doughnuts that forgetfulness cost? You MIGHT expect our local county supervisor, Don Maben, to initiate law-enforcement actions against such an obvious health hazard in his jursidiction, but he's apparently too busy harrassing people who store cars, enjoy dogs, or post Garage Sale signs. Until then, we'll just continue to have a festering third world cesspool in the middle of our community. Thanks, DON and Thanks GHCSD!!! posted by
GINGER
on Nov 28, 2007 at 03:07 PM
Yes,it would be wonderfull to have Tom Sawyer Lake back as a place or recreation.Sushisoo is correct though,it is private property and just as with most private property issues,it is very complicated.GHCSD has been as unhappy with that situation as most people,but it isn't their property.If it was,it would have been resolved.I personally wish that County Parks could aquire it.The area could be beautifull.I hope that in the future it will end up in CSD or County hands and then all of us who care,and at least half of those who complain,can all volonteer to help clean it up and maintain/restore it.GHCSD is doing what little they can to work on this and I suspect that when it all gets resolved,Don Maben will have been a great help in getting it done.We should be gratefull that someone has decided to take an interest in Brite lake,it REALLY needed help and finally,someone noticed and cared.
posted by
gube
on Nov 28, 2007 at 04:00 PM
Comment From: TehachapiWatch Thu Aug 16, 2007 19:12:01 PDT I've been researching this property. In 1965, Boise Cascade, the developer of the country club and golf course, and most of Golden Hills for that matter, intended for the community to own it, however, the Golden Hills Community Services District refused to take ownership as per the original charter issued by Kern County to the CSD. With this history and the problems associated with this property in court nuissance actions brought by the state in the past few years, the people, through Eminent Domain should take this property for the recreational purpose intended. posted by
gube
on Nov 28, 2007 at 04:09 PM
Someone mentioned that Tom Sawyer Lake was man made. I think i read in a article by Jon Hammond that Tom Sawyer is a natural lake. Does anyone know anything about this?
posted by
gube
on Nov 28, 2007 at 04:22 PM
I haven't heard don Adams ''Tehachapi land king'' name in a long time. He sure did build crappy houses.lol
posted by
Gretchensdad
on Nov 28, 2007 at 09:21 PM
Tom Sawyer lake is a sleeping dog that several connected people want to let lie. It has,whether legal or not, become part of the effluent flow of the over taxed (and only) sewage treatment plant in Golden Hills. Its clandestine existence is kept quiet due to the embarrassment to the powers that be( possibly GHCSD) and the rather tangled responsibility of the somewhat complex private ownership of the "treatment" plant. The business of waste water treatment is a highly regulated and monitored affair that requires certified "operators". A minimal tertiary treatment plant, that I guess that is supposed to be and operated as, requires, I believe, a minimum Class III or IV certified operator. I got a feeling it has fallen into the cracks.(under the radar of regulation by EPA etc.) Just my feeling. Maybe when something bad goes down we can get Erin Brokonovich up here to check it out. It is a "bucket of worms" Any "boat rocking" will cost some people a lot of money. Ya know? I don't know if that deal over there is even close to a minimal treatment plant. Might be why the smell during the hot weather. http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...
posted by
gube
on Nov 28, 2007 at 09:48 PM
Comment From: TehachapiWatch Wed Aug 15, 2007 10:35:25 PDT It is a disgrace that this property is controlled by someone who plans to never put it back into a recreational facility. The owner cannot be trusted to carry through on anything he says and is only seeking to blame other people for his own created problems - then, he will use the courts to destroy whoever he can in an attempt to further his own agenda, generally based on lies. When will the public officials stand behind the citizens of this area and force the owner to carry through on his many announced plans which he has presented over the years or simply abide by the court orders that have been imposed onto him? As a resident, who purchased a home site on a golf course that has become nothing more than a possible "Brownfield" I am angered that anyone is able to circumvent our justice system and get away with this disgrace. posted by
gube
on Nov 28, 2007 at 10:02 PM
Fire-attack helicopters responding to the Kern County area have long used Tom Sawyer Lake, located in the heart of Golden Hills, as a dip site. The lake was well suited for helicopter operations, with ample water and clear approach and departure routes. But when the lake dried up after losing its water source in 2003, it didn't take long for firefighters and members of the Golden Hills Community Service District (GHCSD) to realize that a new source of water was needed-and fast. posted by
gube
on Nov 28, 2007 at 10:15 PM
posted by
ProgressoDasani
on Nov 29, 2007 at 08:51 AM
Ginger, can you plese identify what GHCSD and Don Maben are doing to clean up Golden Hills' open sewer? As much as I would like to believe that furious behind-the-scenes activity, unreleasable to mere mortal citizens is underway, reality demands otherwise. If you know something, don't keep it a secret! posted by
gube
on Nov 29, 2007 at 09:33 AM
SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS HEARD REGARDING ON GOING PROBLEMS AT TOM SAWYER LAKE Nov. 08/2007posted by
BinFordBry
on Nov 29, 2007 at 10:09 AM
There are 2 bodies of water in the Golden Hills (east) region. This is what I heard: The country club and deteriorated remains of the once vibrant golf course was owned by a Mr. Ed Borges of A.B. Land Development Corp. He has accepted and declined offers up to $3.5M. The Tom Sawyer lake was once naturally fed up until Mr. Don Adams developed an adjacent area that interrupted the natural flow to the lake. Eventually, the lake could not maintain levels following evaporation and high, arid temperatures. The other body of water is actually a component of a sewer collection system. Somebody at the barber shop mentioned a company called Highland Construction and another entity invested in the venture. Don't know what happened after that, except that both "lakes" stink. I have noticed an increse in "tagging" on the walls and exterior features of the country club. The area is wide open and is an attraction to malicious intent. At least the deadbeat owners should board it up or make it impassible somehow... posted by
ProgressoDasani
on Nov 29, 2007 at 12:16 PM
Right gube - concerned citizens address the board, the board does nothing. This has been going on for years. Lets all thank the two Dons - Adams and Maben - again!
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