Brite Lake...Brite Lake...Brite Lake!! - Homicide in Tehachapi - BinFordBry's Blog - Tehachapi News

Nov 28, 2007 at 01:11 PM : Maybe, like Bill Mead...

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!

Nov 28, 2007 at 01:11 PM : I totally feel your...

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.

Nov 28, 2007 at 01:11 PM : The answer is called a...

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!!!

Nov 28, 2007 at 03:11 PM : Yes,it would be...

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.

Nov 28, 2007 at 04:11 PM : Comment From:...

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.

Nov 28, 2007 at 04:11 PM : Someone mentioned that...

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?

Nov 28, 2007 at 04:11 PM : I haven't heard...

I haven't heard don Adams ''Tehachapi land king'' name in a long time. He sure did build crappy houses.lol

Nov 28, 2007 at 09:11 PM : Tom Sawyer lake is a...

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/wiki/Sewage_treatment

Nov 28, 2007 at 09:11 PM : Comment From:...

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.

Nov 28, 2007 at 10:11 PM : Fire-attack...

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.

Nov 28, 2007 at 10:11 PM : http://nas.er.usgs.gov...

http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/collectioninfo.asp?NoCache=11%2F13%2F2007+8%3A36%3A42+AM&SpeciesID=151&State=&County=&HUCNumber=18

Our little lake is all over the inter net

Nov 29, 2007 at 08:11 AM : Ginger, can you plese...

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!

Nov 29, 2007 at 09:11 AM : SUMMARY OF...

SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS HEARD REGARDING ON GOING PROBLEMS AT TOM SAWYER LAKE Nov. 08/2007

http://www.kernair.org/Board%20of%20Directors/2007%20Agenda%20&%20Summary/Sum%2011-08-07.pdf

Nov 29, 2007 at 10:11 AM : There are 2 bodies of...

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...

Nov 29, 2007 at 12:11 PM : Right gube - concerned...

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!

Nov 29, 2007 at 02:11 PM : Thanks you---Don's

Thanks you---Don's

Nov 29, 2007 at 02:11 PM : I can remember...

I can remember catching 10-15 pound Catfish and 3-5 pound Bass in Tom Sawyer Lake years ago. What it has became is a real shame.

Nov 29, 2007 at 10:11 PM : Sorry Shane. I was...

Sorry Shane. I was just googling tom sawyer lake and that pop up. I was surprised that there was a lot of articles on the lake. I used to take my kids to the lake during fires so they could watch the helicopter suck water out of the lake. Come to think about it there was a lot of people that used to watch. It is a shame they killed that lake.Oh i wouldn't worry about Whoopi she has not been on her since the last time you where on here.lol

Nov 30, 2007 at 11:11 AM : ProgressoDasani-I&...

ProgressoDasani-I believe that the years of layers of complicated issues regarding the lake,not the least of them being that it's private property belonging to someone who has gone past the point of not caring,have resulted in the sad mess that we see and smell today.I too,have complained and have my own ideas on fixing the problems.Perhaps more importantly,I have also listened to the answers from various people and have realized that most of the solutions present more problems and/or have no possible funding.I am convince that if there was a simple solution to the problems that the CSD could implement,it would have been done by now.I can guess at how many complaints there have been and believe it or not,the CSD would rather have the place looking and smelling good just as the rest of us would.I'm assuming the same of Mr. Maben too.There is a GHCSD meeting on Dec. 6,and I hope that you will be there to politely express your frustration.Don Maben also has a phone number in the book and you and everyone else can also write letters complaining and requesting assistance.FYI-managing to be polite and solution oriented is more productive than coming off as a complaining donkeys rear.Good luck with that.

Gube-thanks for bringing up the efforts of the KCFD and the GHCSD to help save the lives,houses and property of the area.Shane-thanks for the full story,it's so easy to misunderstand when you don't realize the bigger picture.

Dec 6, 2007 at 08:12 AM : Got ya, Ginger -...

Got ya, Ginger - filling a small lake with water and preventing sewage from flowing into it is too hard and too expensive for the Third-World political cabal that runs this place.

As for "politely express(ing)" my frustration - as dozens of others have done over two decades - to some poseurs at a public meeting - forget it. Like you say, they already know about it, and if the health and safety of Golden Hills residents were important to them, they would do something about it.

Oh - and how VERY NICE of you to call me "a complaining donkeys rear" while emphasizing the vital importance of politeness. Hilarious! I'd ask you to show me some civilty, but you're not the first person I've seen with a kiss-up, kick-down attitude, and I know you reserve courtesy for the better, and more powerful, classes.

Dec 6, 2007 at 11:12 AM : When I first moved...

When I first moved here, we rented a home in Golden Hills for a while before we could find the home we wanted to purchase. I'll never forget the day, heading well into summer, when I opened my front door to that incredible smell eminating from Tom Sawyer Lake. We couldn't open our windows in order to cool the house because that smell was so bad!

I also worked a temp position at the GHCSD for a few weeks during that time. It was explained to me that the smell isn't from sewage flowing into the lake, despite what the odor reminded me of. When the weather around here warms & there isn't water flowing into the lake in order to oxygenate the waters, an inversion happens & all of the rotted matter at the bottom of the lake is pushed up & exposed to the air. That's when the smell intrudes into the atmosphere. I was also told that it was very difficult to get the owner to cooperate with the GHCSD, who was willing (at that time) to pump water into the lake in order to provide the needed oxygen to prevent the build up of the smelly muck.

http://www.clean-flo.com/muck_removal.html

"The presence of muck or a rotten egg smell is sure signs that the bottom is lacking in oxygen and the lake bottom needs muck removal. Bottom oxygen tests may show that the bottom is oxygenated. But these tests are usually made during the day, when aquatic plants are putting oxygen into the water. Bottom oxygen tests in the middle of the night may show no oxygen because plants take up oxygen during the night. Lack of oxygen also depends on the time of year. Just a few hours without oxygen is enough to kill the beneficial bacteria and insects that feed on organic muck. These bacteria play a major part in muck removal."

Now, things could have changed since then (2001), but I don't think the smell is due to sewage flowing into the lake. You may ask the GHCSD if this is still the case.

Dec 6, 2007 at 12:12 PM : I don't think...

I don't think the GHCSD knows sh** from shinola.

Seriously, the problems that Golden Hills has with non-percolating septic tank fields is well known to local residents, and certainly to all members of the CSD. When a septic tank field does not percolate, the sewage water rises to the surface and flows downhill to the lowest point in the area - which for many parts of Golden Hills is Tom Sawyer Lake.

I also realize that other decomposing organic material also smells like sewage - because it is, basically. But I can guarantee that if you mis-load your compost pile to produce those odors, GHCSD will respond much faster and more effectively to your neighbor's complaints about you, than they have to those complaining about Tom Sawyer. You see, Maben and the GHCSD like to pick on the weak (e.g., individuals selling cars and hosting Garage Sales) rather than on rich guys who own lawyers. I say that with All Due Respect, of course!

Dec 6, 2007 at 12:12 PM : ProgressoDasani-I...

ProgressoDasani-I actually wasn't trying to call you that when I typed it.I was trying to advise you not to act like one when/if you wrote in because I think that complaints where people act that way probably just get"written off".I'm betting that complaints that aren't rude have a better chance of being read and responded to.It is also my opinion that people who go to public meetings and are polite do a better job of representing their issues than those who rant and blame.Since you seemed to be pretty upset over things and were trying to blame people,I initially meant the "good luck" comment as good luck writing a letter that wasn't so negative.Having said that,I reread what I wrote and realized how it sounded and decided to not change it because I thought that in reality,it probably was fitting.I thought that was phrasing it politely.

The solution,isn't as simple as filling the lake with water or it would be done already.Evidently the issue goes deeper and will probably involve dredging the lake to some depth.That brings up archaeological issues and probably others.The CSD and county people are not the same people who were in charge two decades ago.I was suggesting that if you have questions you could ask them.I did,and found out that it wasn't as simple as I thought.Feel free to research the situation and solutions and the funding for those projects.

If you knew me,you would realize that I'm pretty much equal opportunity when it comes to "kissing -up" and "kicking-down".I have met great people at all socioeconomical levels and losers and users also.I'm guessing that you are in the "complaining class" and I'm often there too,the difference between us might simply be that I'm looking for solutions and you're still looking for who to blame.

Have a great Kern County day and remember-Don't ask what your county can do for you.Ask what you can do for your county!

Dec 6, 2007 at 12:12 PM : PD-Oh,so is that what...

PD-Oh,so is that what happened to you?You were selling a car and/or had a garage sale sign issue and the CSD responded when a neighbor complained and so you feel powerless and resentfull?That is out of curiosity-not sarcasm,by the way.Wouldn't it be nice if years ago,common sense would have triumphed over private property rights and greed and someone would have said"That area will never be able to hold that many septic systems so it can't be built upon".

Dec 6, 2007 at 12:12 PM : Calling someone...

Calling someone a jackass is polite phrasing? That's funny! Good thing my skin is thicker than some of the elected officials around here.

Filling the lake with water would stop the smell, anybody telling you otherwise is either misinformed or misinforming. The reason that the GHCSD has given for not filling the lake in the past have only been monetary. Weed abatements (to state a similar hazard condition) on private property get done all the time - then the jurisdiction just sends the property owner the bill.

Other problems may exist beyond that and could be dealt with after that was fixed. Yes, you need to get a permit to dredge a lake, although, if as oohchild claims, it houses only harmless decaying plants, I don't know why that would be necessary.

But, if it is, yes, you need a permit, just like you need a permit to grade a building lot, widen a road, or construct a subdivision. Judging by the number of those that are issued around here, that isn't much of a problem.

Dec 6, 2007 at 01:12 PM : Ginger, I...

Ginger, I've never had a issue of any kind with the GHCSD - not about garage sales, a car for sale, or anything else. I was merely commenting on what I have observed the GHCSD and Don Maben taking seriously INSTEAD of that putrid lake. Its a shame that you take a comment on such public issues to question the motivations of the commentator.

As for "common sense ...triumph(ing) over private property rights and greed" back when Don Adams built the place, yeah, that would have been nice. It would be nice today. It didn't happen then because the politicians then wanted development, and it doesn't happen now because today's politicians want development.