This section of the website is a repository for all news
articles, op-ed pieces, columns, etc. about Granite Construction's proposed Liberty
Quarry and surrounding area.
Please note that these articles will open up in a new browser window.
If you know of an article or letter that is not listed below, please
email it to our
SOS-Hills webmaster.
November 2010
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News Articles
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Opinion/Editorials
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Letters to the Editor
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October 2010
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News Articles
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Opinion/Editorials
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Letters to the Editor
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Healthcare district issues thumbs down on Liberty Quarry project
Fallbrook Village News
Thurs., Oct. 21
Mine plan spurs protest
The Valley News
Fri., Oct. 1 |
Temecula was then, this is now
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Wed., Oct. 20
Don't sweep quarry issue away
Nicholas Waln, The Californian
Mon., Oct. 4
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Re: 'Healthcare district issues thumbs down to Liberty Quarry project
Fallbrook Village News
Thurs., Oct. 28
Liberty doesn't care about health of residents
No quarry
The Californian
Sun., Oct. 24
More job losses than gains
The Californian
Thurs., Oct. 14
A giant thank you from SOS-Hills
The Californian
Wed., Oct. 13
Quarry a threat to home values
The Californian
Sun., Oct. 3
Goodbye, property tax golden goose
The Californian
Sat., Oct. 2
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September 2010
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News Articles
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Opinion/Editorials
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Letters to the Editor
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Hundreds protest proposed quarry
The Californian
Mon., Sept. 27
Anti-quarry rally set for Sunday
The Californian
Fri., Sept. 24
Panel rejects call for Temecula annexation reconsideration
The Californian
Thurs., Sept. 23
Temecula annexation upheld by panel
The Press-Enterprise
Thurs., Sept. 23
Candidates weigh in on city's fight against Liberty Quarry
The Californian
Sat., Sept. 18
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A hired gun for the mining industry
J. B. Hudson, Jr., The Californian
Thurs., Sept. 30
Quarry focus on the supes
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Wed., Sept. 29
A souless act of 'support'
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Wed., Sept. 22
Walkin' the line against the quarry
Paul Jacobs, The Californian
Sun., Sept. 19
A truck wreck waiting to happen
Laurenn Barker, The Californian
Wed., Sept. 8
Getting to hard facts on quarry
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Wed., Sept. 8
No gain for Riverside County if quarry goes in
Jerri Arganda, The Californian
Mon., Sept. 6
'Don't let it be forgot that once...'
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Wed., Sept. 1
It's not job creation, but job relocation
Fred Bartz, The Californian
Wed., Sept. 1
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Quarry does not deserve our support
The Californian
Thurs., Sept. 30
Friend or foe?
The Californian
Wed., Sept. 29
A conservative opposed to the quarry
Quarry is bad idea all around
The Californian
Fri., Sept. 24
Responding to two quarry letters
The Californian
Thurs., Sept. 23
The quarry's impact on property values
The Californian
Sun., Sept. 19
Candidate against Liberty Quarry location
The Californian
Fri., Sept. 17
Put the big hole to good use
The Californian
Thurs., Sept. 16
We all deserve to live a clean, healthy life
The Californian
Wed., Sept. 8
Is the quarry good for the area?
The Californian
Thurs., Sept. 2
Chinese gridlock
The Fallbrook Village News
Thurs., Sept. 2
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August 2010 |
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News Articles
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Opinion/Editorials
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Letters to the Editor
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Would Temecula-area quarry help or hurt the economy?
The Press-Enterprise
Tues., Aug. 10
City's annexation bid may hinge on ruling by commission
The Californian
Sat., Aug. 7
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Common sense reveals quarry peril
Mary M. Towell, The Californian
Tues., Aug. 31
Blasting our way to the Big One
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Wed., Aug. 25
Why we don't need Liberty Quarry
Mariann Byers, The Californian
Wed., Aug. 25
Probe of LAFCO requested
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Wed., Aug. 4
LAFCO's hijinks may yet be reversed
Paul Jacobs, The Californian
Sun., Aug. 1
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Who's in our kids' corner?
The Californian
Sun., Aug. 29
Local Physicians oppose quarry
The Californian
Wed., Aug. 11
A test for the quarry
The Californian
Tues., Aug. 10
Let's get down to the bottom line
The Californian
Sun., Aug. 8
Writer hides most facts, but reveals one
The Californian
Wed., Aug. 4
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JULY 2010 |
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News Articles |
Opinion/Editorials |
Letters to the Editor |
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LAFCO's rock and hard spot
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Wed., July 28
LAFCO due for restart
Paul Jacobs, The Californian
Sun., July 25
Take that 'fork in road' now
Paul Jacobs, The Californian
Thurs., July 22
Probe but don't be distracted
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Wed., July 21
Now's time to fight quarry proposal
Marelle Dorsey, The Californian
Sun., July 18
Council afire on LAFCO
Paul Jacobs, The Californian
Sun., July 18
First, let's set off the bombs
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Tues., July 13
Location not suited for Quarry
Dan Brunell, The Californian
Sun., July 11
Who are residents to believe?
Fred Bartz, The Californian
Thurs., July 8 |
No benefit from Liberty 'toilet'
The Californian
Fri., July 30
Health Problems associated with quarry
The Californian
Thurs., July 29
Re:
'Shame on those that discredit Granite'
Fallbrook Bonsall Village News
Thurs., July 29
Stop the Liberty Quarry
The Californian
Wed., July 21
Don't confuse Liberty Quarry with Indio
The Californian
Sun., July 11
Pro-quarry name calling
The Californian
Wed., July 7
Responses to two quarry writers
The Californian
Thurs., July 1 |
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JUNE 2010 |
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News Articles |
Opinion/Editorials |
Letters to the Editor |
City extends agreements with quarry consultants
The Californian
Mon., June 28
No timetable for release of final quarry report
The Californian
Sun., June 27
Temecula annexation approved on third try
The Press-Enterprise
Fri., June 25
Temecula annexation gets green light
The Californian
Fri., June 24
Temecula mayor hopeful third try at annexing land will succeed
The
Press-Enterprise
Sun., June 20
Temecula annexation bid gets an endorsement
The Press-Enterprise
Fri., June 18
Annexation of land flanking mine site may quiet contrast past hearings
The Valley News
Fri., June 18
Temecula annexation wins support of commission staff
The Press-Enterprise
Fri., June 18
Run for the Hills draws hundreds
The Californian
Mon., June 14
Temecula annexation hearing date set for later this month
The Press-Enterprise
Fri., June 11
Temecula finalists in contest to design new award are honored
The Press-Enterprise
Fri., June 11
Weekend run will raise money for two causes
The Press-Enterprise
Tues., June 8
Hidden beach welcome surprise at preserve
Union-Tribune
Sun., June 6
Boy Scouts earn rare Historic Trails Award
The Californian
Sat., June 5 |
It's time to retire LAFCO
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Wed., June 30
Quarry advocates continue misinformation push
Marelle Dorsey, The Californian
Wed., June 23
Temecula right to try to save hills, preserve
Robert Locke, The Californian
Sun., June 20
Temecula needs its "knight"
Paul Jacobs, The Californian
Sun., June 20
Clouds on our horizon
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Wed., June 16
Temecula embraces the flawed
Paul Jacobs, The Californian
Sun., June 13
Air you can't see can make you sick
Fred Bartz, The Californian
Thurs., June 10
Quarry wrong project in wrong location
Jerri Arganda, The Californian
Tues., June 1 |
Annexation is a win-win for all
The Californian
Wed., June 30
The citizens of Temecula are not confused
Keep Temecula pristine
The Californian
Tues., June 29
Who dictates pro-Liberty quarry letters?
The Californian
Fri., June 25
Residents have right to preserve quality of life
The Californian
Sun., June 20
No Brainer, No Quarry
The Californian
Fri., June 18
Annexation is about open space
The Californian
Thurs., June 17
Liberty Quarry a poorly thought out project
Fallbrook/Bonsall Village News
Thur., June 10
Give us a break on quarry "facts"
Money and greed shouldn't trump health
The Californian
Sat., June 5
Wrong project...wrong location
Fallbrook/Bonsall Village News
Thur., June 10 |
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MAY 2010 |
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News Articles |
Opinion/Editorials |
Letters to the Editor |
Temecula annexation plan appears headed for June hearing
The Press-Enterprise
Sun., May 30
High School students designing environmental award
The Californian
Tues., May 18
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Run for the hills, have some fun
Paul Jacobs, The Californian
Sun., May 23
Doings, or not, in the hills
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Wed., May 19
Quarry will hurt region's environment
Marelle Dorsey, The Californian
Sun., May 9
Writer Wilder's legacy
Paul Jacobs, The Californian
Sun., May 9
Arrogance places area health at risk
Paul Jacobs, The Californian
Sun., May 2 |
Quarry no good for Riverside County
The Californian
Tues., May 25
Stop the quarry before it's too late
The Californian
Thurs., May 13
True silica dust facts
The Californian
Fri., May 7 |
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APRIL 2010 |
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News Articles |
Opinion/Editorials |
Letters to the Editor |
Veteran comedy writer, longtime DeLuz Resident dies
The Californian
Mon., Apr. 26
TV writer-producer Myles Wilder dies
Variety
Mon., Apr. 26
Boy, Girl Scouts unite for park cleanup
Taste of Temecula
Mon., Apr. 26
Eco
flights spotlight wild lands with an eye towards preservation
Valley News
Fri., Apr. 16
Resident makes anti-quarry documentary
The Californian
Sun., Apr. 4 |
Comment sounds as if Granite is desperate
Fred Bartz, The Californian
Tues., Apr. 22
What local bucks would quarry bring in?
Barbara Wilder, The Californian
Sun., Apr. 18
Vacancies should be local task
Greg Scharf, The Californian
Fri., Apr. 16
Granite's telephone 'survey'
Paul Jacobs, The Californian
Sun., Apr. 11
Fight quarry, don't leave decision to chance
Dan Brunell, The Californian
Tues., Apr. 6 |
Napa quarry not comparable with Liberty Quarry
What the quarry really offers Temecula
The Californian
Wed., Apr. 28
Quarry damage far outweighs its benefits
The Californian
Thurs., Apr. 15
Liberty Quarry questioned
The Californian
Sun., Apr. 11
Granite's putting lipstick on all their pigs
The Californian
Tues., Apr. 6 |
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MARCH 2010 |
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News Articles |
Opinion/Editorials |
Letters to the Editor |
Temecula groups and city to honor 'Avatar' director with environmental
award
The Valley News
Fri., Mar. 12
'Avatar' director wins different award from Temecula-area
environmentalists
The Press Enterprise
Sun., Mar. 7
Area environmental groups saluting James Cameron
The Californian
Thurs., Mar. 4
State jobs bill targets project delays
The Californian
Mon., Mar. 1
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Change we can live with
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Wed., Mar. 31
Quarry opponents do have facts on their side
Fred Bartz, The Californian
Sun., Mar. 28
Media should mine quarry records
Paul Howarth, The Californian
Fri., Mar. 19
Liberty, hats and T-shirts
Paul Jacobs, The Californian
Sun., Mar. 14
The Wrath of Grapes?
Paul Jacobs, The Californian
Sun., Mar. 7
Granite's blitzkrieg after hypnotic dance fails
Nick Biddle, The Californian
Sun., Mar. 7 |
Response to letter on Liberty Quarry
The Californian
Sat., Mar. 27
Think with more facts
The Californian
Thurs., Mar. 18
Granite lets others oppose for them
The Californian
Wed., Mar. 17
Supports annexation
Granite resorts to telemarketing
The Californian
Tues., Mar. 16
Hoping life stays good in Temecula
The Californian
Tues., Mar. 9
Quarry 'facts' corrected
The Californian
Sun., Mar. 7
Quality Act or quality of life?
The San Diego Union-Tribune
Fri., Mar. 5
Clearing up confusion about annexation
The Californian
Thurs., Mar. 4
Spurn quarry blight
The Press Enterprise
Tues., Mar. 2 |
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FEBRUARY 2010 |
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News Articles |
Opinion/Editorials |
Letters to the Editor |
City approves new annexation application
The Californian
Wed., Feb. 24
Commission approves new annexation attempt
The Californian
Wed., Feb. 3 |
Reckless Favors
The Press Enterprise
Sat., Feb. 27
Granite's sleight of hand
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Wed., Feb. 24
Riverside County doesn't need another mine
Jim Brady, The Californian
Fri., Feb. 19
Nature and the damage done
Paul Jacobs, The Californian
Sun., Feb. 14
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Time to think with Facts
The Californian
Sun., Feb, 28
An
earthquake would be our "Katrina"
The Village News
Thurs, Feb. 25
Is Granite a corporate bully?
The Californian
Tues., Feb. 23
Granite Construction's PR Ploys
The Californian
Tues., Feb. 23
What we cannot see is killing us
The Californian
Sun., Feb. 14
Quarry 'facts' disputed
Quarry is a serious threat
The Californian
Wed., Feb. 10
Quarries cause problems
The Californian
Sat., Feb. 6
It's about where they want to put the quarry
The Californian
Tues., Feb. 2 |
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JANUARY 2010 |
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News Articles |
Opinion/Editorials |
Letters to the Editor |
Company proposing quarry near Temecula may not fight annexation
The Press-Enterprise
Sun., Jan. 31
Annexation of land flanking mine site to proceed with company's blessing
Valley News
Fri., Jan. 22
Oregon DEQ Penalizes Granite Northwest Inc. $8,000
for July 2009 Hot Asphalt Oil Spill on Interstate 84
Oregon DEQ, Compliance & Enforcement
Mon., Jan. 11
Temecula council to consider trying a third time to annex land
The Press Enterprise
Fri., Jan 8
Proposed Liberty Quarry will likely remain top local issue in 2010
The Village News
Thurs., Jan 7
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Parallels: 'Avatar' the film to Granite's quarry
Bobbe Wilder, The Californian
Thurs., Jan. 28
Just keep saying ka-ching
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Wed., Jan. 27
Rainbow Gap worth preserving
Paul Jacobs, The Californian
Sun., Jan 3 |
Quarry brings no jobs
Opponents of quarry aren't 'extremists'
The Californian
Fri., Jan. 29
Alternative to mega mine
The Village News
Thurs., Jan. 7
Granite's site is in wrong location
The Californian
Sun., Jan. 3 |
The
Californian, Thursday, July 1
Letters to the Editor
Re:
"Who dictates pro-Liberty quarry letters," by Jerri Arganda, Community
Voices, June 25: Ms. Arganda points out that certain phrases that
appear in a letter are often duplicated in other letters. I think what
she is telling us is that every letter writer has his own style of
expression. You might say that every writer has his own writing
fingerprints.It's uncanny. I was putting together a letter in
response to one written by Ezra Chapman that appeared on
June 11. In that letter, Mr. Chapman pointed out that the letter I
wrote on
June 5 had the wrong information about the size of the gravel pit
Granite plans to dig. Chapman then went on to rake me and all others who
oppose the pit over the coals. He complained we all are spreading
misleading information. What's the old saying about people who live in
glass houses? ...
Joe Benvenuto
Temecula
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DECEMBER 2009 |
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News Articles |
Opinion/Editorials |
Letters to the Editor |
Temecula School Board critical of proposed Liberty Quarry
Southwest Riverside News Network
Mon., Dec. 28
Tribe urges county to pursue other sites for quarry
The Californian
Fri., Dec. 11
School board to send letter of concern regarding quarry
The Californian
Wed., Dec. 9
Board to consider quarry letter
The Californian
Mon., Dec. 7
Waiver granted for annexation request
The Californian
Thurs., Dec. 3 |
Physicians join to fight quarry proposal
Dr. Daniel C. Robbins, The Californian
Sun., Dec. 20
Are Granite's true colors showing?
Fred Bartz, The Californian
Fri., Dec. 4 |
A world without 'quarry days'
The Californian
Fri., Dec. 25
I
have a better name for Liberty Quarry
The Village News
Thurs., Dec. 10
Opposed to so-called 'Liberty' Quarry
The Californian
Thurs., Dec. 10
Schools do get involved with students' health
The Californian
Fri., Dec. 4 |
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NOVEMBER 2009 |
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News Articles |
Opinion/Editorials |
Letters to the Editor |
Critics slam study on proposed Quarry near Temecula
The Press Enterprise
Wed., Nov. 25
Crunching the quarry's traffic studies
The Californian
Sat., Nov. 21
Quarry sides were prepared to discuss project
The Californian
Fri., Nov. 20
School Board asked to take position on quarry
The Californian
Thurs., Nov. 19
Comment period on quarry report closing
The Californian
Thurs., Nov. 19 |
Don't let Liberty Quarry loose on us
Wendy Chowning, The Californian
Thur., Nov. 26
Good to use brakes sometimes
Paul Jacobs, The Californian
Sun., Nov. 22
Liberty Quarry project fails our students
Pete Friedrich, The Californian
Sun., Nov. 15
Please help save this land from being ruined
Marilee Ragland, The Fallbrook Village News
Thurs., Nov. 12
Take your monster quarry far away from here
Jerri Arganda, The Californian
Thurs., Nov. 12
Liberty Quarry could hold earthquake danger
Ken Johnson, The Californian
Sun., Nov. 1 |
Oppose the Liberty Quarry
The Californian
Wed., Nov. 25
Quarry is threat to our land
The Californian
Wed., Nov. 11 |
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OCTOBER 2009 |
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News Articles |
Opinion/Editorials |
Letters to the Editor |
Federal agency launches probe of debris haulers
The San Diego Union Tribune
Sun., Oct. 25
BEHIND
THE HEADLINES
The Union-Tribune
investigated the debris removal program in mid-2008 after fire victims
and private contractors complained that Diani and Granite charged
the city far more than companies that homeowners hired on their own. In
stories published over the course of more than a year, the Union-Tribune
found that Diani and Granite removed questionable quantities of
debris, overcharged for materials, billed for work they didn't perform,
provided receipts that didn't back up their charges and cost the city
millions more than stated in their contracts.
“I understand there is a special place in hell for those who take
advantage of disaster victims.” Janis Rasmussen, outreach coordinator
for RB United, one of seven nonprofit fire-recovery centers in San Diego
County.
Temecula's annexation 'redo' request denied by regional agency
Valley News
Fri., Oct. 2
Granite Construction cuts 150 jobs, including 30 in Watsonville
Contra Costa Times
Thurs., Oct. 1
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A special place...disaster profiteering cannot stand
Union Tribune Staff
Tues., Oct. 27
National anti-quarry 'tea party' blasting across web
Nicholas Biddle, Jr., The Californian
Sun., Oct. 18
County should remember Brockovich before vote
Mike and Kitty Meyer, The Californian
Wed., Oct. 7
The ugly, other side of liberty
Paul Jacobs, The Californian
Sun., Oct. 4
Panel's ruling on new annex bid disappointing
The Californian Opinion Staff
Thurs., Oct. 1
BEHIND THE HEADLINES
"After
all, with the quarry removed from the equation, who would better assure
that the area remains unspoiled open space ---- the city next door, or
the county government headquartered 50 miles away and trying to oversee
an area the size of several Eastern states?"
'Outrage' not strong enough for hearing reaction
Barbara Wilder, The Californian
Thurs., Oct. 1 |
Residents do not want Quarry here
The Californian
Thurs., Oct. 29 |
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SEPTEMBER 2009 |
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News Articles |
Opinion/Editorials |
Letters to the Editor |
Temecula annexation bid denied
The Press Enterprise
Fri., Sept. 25
City, Landowner stymied by commission
The Californian
Thurs., Sept. 24
Granite Construction downgraded to "underperform"
Forbes.com
Mon., Sept. 21
FCPG votes to oppose Liberty Quarry, notifies Riverside County
Supervisors
Fallbrook/Bonsall Village News
Thurs., Sept. 3
BEHIND THE HEADLINES
“In order to
approve [Liberty Quarry], the FCPG would have to find that the benefits
of the quarry would outweigh the environmental problems it would cause,”
said FCPG board chair Jim Russell. “A majority of the benefits surround
having a larger aggregate supply, but Fallbrook isn’t going to get much
of that. This does not outweigh the degradation of the community’s
health.”
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Housing, hospitals and holes
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Wed., Sept. 30
Writer's comparison of reserve, park incomplete
Pam Grender, The Californian
Wed., Sept. 30
LAFCO can dig out of hole
Phil Strickland, The Californian
Wed., Sept. 23
Quarry is an insult to our liberties
Jeff & Siegrid Stillman, Fallbrook/Bonsall Village News
Thurs., Sept. 17
Granite reported as a bad neighbor in Oregon
Joe Howard Crews, Fallbrook/Bonsall Village News
Thurs., Sept. 17 |
Granite not good neighbor
The Californian
Sat., Sept. 26
Granite's greed warps its respect for others
The Californian
Thurs., Sept. 10
Granite, you will never forget us
Fallbrook/Bonsall Village News
Thurs., Sept. 3
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AUGUST 2009 |
|
News Articles |
Letters to the Editor |
Opinion/Editorials |
Liberty Quarry debate continues at local events
Valley News
Fri., Aug. 28
Granite hires Sparks replacements, plans no negotiations with Teamsters
Reno Gazette-Journal
Thurs., Aug. 20
Quarry report comment period extended
The Californian
Fri., Aug. 14
No significant artifacts at quarry site, says county official
The Press-Enterprise
Thurs., Aug. 13
BEHIND THE HEADLINES
The study's apparent
conclusion is at
odds with the tribe,
which holds the
quarry site and the
surrounding area
sacred. Tribal
Chairman Mark
Macarro has said
the site is an
essential element of
the tribe's story of
creation.
"We respectfully
disagree with the
archaeologist,"
Macarro said in a
written statement
released Wednesday.
"They can claim it
is not a major
archaeological area
in terms of science,
but it is deeply
upsetting and
mistaken to say it
is culturally
insignificant,"
Macarro said in an
emailed statement.
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Distinguish between quarry friends, foes
The Californian
Sun., Aug. 30
Afraid of what might be found?
The Californian
Wed., Aug. 26
We don't have to live with quarry
The Californian
Sun., Aug. 23
Take nothing for granted, give nothing to Granite
The Californian
Sat., Aug. 22
Forum was Granite propaganda
The Californian
Tues., Aug. 18
Granite's record for 'neighborliness'
The Californian
Fri., Aug. 14
Quarry will have detrimental impact
The Californian
Thurs., Aug. 13
It's time to stand and fight
The Californian
Thurs., Aug. 13
Block invasive quarry
The Press-Enterprise
Mon., Aug. 10
Time to throw Temecula under the bus?
Fallbrook/Bonsall Village News
Thurs., Aug. 6 |
Granite Tussles with Teamsters
Nita Delnay, Falbrook/Bonsall Village News
Thurs., Aug. 27
Quarry report shows impacts can't be mitigated
Bobbe Wilder, The Californian
Sun., Aug. 23
Granite rep's reply to new rules amazing
Fred Bartz, The Californian
Wed., Aug. 5
Granite's Ultimate Spin Doc
Greg Scharf, The Californian
Fri., Aug. 7
Granite not out to do area favors with quarry
Jim Brady, The Californian
Sun., Aug. 2
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JULY 2009 |
|
News Articles |
Letters to the Editor |
Opinion/Editorials |
Granite responds to county push for smaller quarry
The Californian
Sat., July 25
Report says quarry would affect air quality, traffic
Impacts called 'significant and unavoidable'
The Californian
Mon., July 20
Talks under way to get more access to Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve
The Press-Enterprise
Wed., July 8
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Aggregate is Everywhere
San Diego Reader
Wed., July 1 |
San Diego needs new quarry more than Temecula
Phil Ponder, The Californian
Wed., July 29 |
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JUNE 2009 |
|
News Articles |
Letters to the Editor |
Opinion/Editorials |
Fallbrook's Mine -- A hit or the pits?
San Diego Reader
Wed., June 24
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|
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A test for the quarry (reprinted from The Californian, Tues., Aug. 10)
The debate over the quarry seems to be centered on the contamination of the
air from the blasting and cement plant, and the smell of the asphalt plant. Hire
an independent company to design an experiment simulating the mining operation.
I suggest putting particle counters in the air corridor at different distances
from the mine, possibly along Jefferson Avenue, stationed a mile apart up
through Murrieta, and put one near the ecological preserve.
Also, take samples of the particles for identification by sucking the air
through a filter so they can be identified under a microscope. Take samples for
a week during periods of normal to high wind through the Rainbow pass. Then dump
bags of cement or other material at the quarry site each day for a week,
simulating a blast. Compare the readings and report.
This technique is used everyday in clean rooms. A reputable company could run
this test easily without a lot of cost. Also, bring some hot asphalt to the site
and let it simmer their each day and determine whether smell is detected. This
would answer a lot of questions. Once the quarry starts operations, it's too
late.
Bob Swannie
Murrieta
Health problems
associated with quarry (reprinted from the Californian, Thurs., July
29)
I need to state my opposition to the proposed Liberty
Quarry. While I recognize various concerns regarding the quarry, we
need to recognize the health problems associated with it.
While the Liberty Quarry would like us to believe that the quarry
would not introduce any health problems, I used two scientific
search databases (EbscoHost and Proquest Direct) to research health
issues. There are other researchers who have found significant
health problems from people who are exposed to such operations.
I urge you to research the issues yourself, and contact our local
representatives with your concerns.
Richard Kandus
Temecula
JACOBS: A case of 'fair ball' in Temecula
By
PAUL JACOBS |
Sunday, December 14, 2008 12:11 AM PST
I
have been reading a book titled "Foul Ball" by Jim Bouton, a former
pitcher for the New York Yankees in the early 1960s. "Foul Ball"
recounts the efforts Bouton and good friends put forth to save an
old minor league ballpark in Pittsfield, Mass., which happens to be
the state I was born in nearly 49 years ago. The book is less about
baseball and more about the madness that ensues in too many
municipalities.
If I were to write a book about Temecula's municipality, I would
title it "Fair Ball." The reasons are self-evident for anybody who
has followed the local political scene as I have for the last
decade. The latest example occurred Tuesday, when the City Council
voted unanimously to annex a large swath of land between Temecula's
southern border and the boundary of San Diego County.
The council meeting was designed to allow for public testimony.
Sadly, that seems like a novel concept in a land where we are told
we have a government of, by and for the people. In "Foul Ball,"
public input is a formality ---- if it is put up with at all. But in
Temecula, a council meeting starts an hour early and ends just
before midnight to ensure everybody is heard.
For anybody keeping score, there were a dozen speakers against
annexation while 60 people supported the council's effort to annex
land within and just beyond Temecula’s sphere of influence.
Surprisingly, Mayor Mike Naggar omitted the typical admonishment to
refrain from repeating comments that another speaker might have
offered. Incredibly, there was not a lot of repeated testimony.
Instead, myriad groups and individuals offered a multitude of
perspectives in support of annexation.
While a number of people questioned claims made by Granite
Construction that they are good stewards of the environment, many
more spoke of the benefits of the natural, unblighted land.
Individuals addressed everything from the undisturbed flora in the
ground to the ruination of the dark skies above for the nearby
Palomar observatory. People spoke of the prevailing winds that will
blow dust and diesel emissions directly into the Temecula Valley.
Ultimately, the reasons put forth for annexation were less about
preventing a rock quarry operation and more about preserving a
natural environment that receives global recognition from the
ongoing studies at San Diego State University's Santa Margarita
Ecological Reserve, which has been in operation since the 1960s.
Councilwoman Maryann Edwards encapsulated why the area is so
attractive to Granite Construction as it couldn't be closer to a
freeway for distribution of aggregate material in the tri-county
(San Diego, Riverside and Orange) area. While the quarry makes
perfect business sense, the location couldn't be worse for the
ecological reserve and more than 100,000 people living downwind.
In baseball-ese, Temecula's council meeting was a win in a regular
season game. The World Series will be played before the Local Agency
Formation Commission that approves or denies annexation ---- a
decision likely to come in the spring when real baseball begins for
the boys of summer.
Residents need to take the field and play ball. It will either be a
win for the home team or a victory for outside interests.
Paul Jacobs of Temecula is a regular columnist for The Californian.
E-mail him at
TemeculaPaul@aol.com.
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October 2008
Prioritize values over Party (column by
September 2008
August 2008
The California contractor on the star-crossed
straightening of U.S. 20 west of Corvallis will
pay a $48,000 penalty and another $192,000 for
three stream improvement projects to compensate
for construction-related erosion into the
Yaquina River and several tributaries.
The $240,000 agreement between Granite
Construction and Oregon's Department of
Environmental Quality, announced Friday, is the
third highest settlement of an environmental
violation in the past 10 years, agency records
indicate.
A criminal investigation is continuing,
Oregon State Police officials said.
In 2006, Granite cleared 160 acres of forest
above the new roadway without adequately
considering the effect on streams, the DEQ said,
then failed to put up adequate erosion controls.
Rains sent dirt sliding into salmon- and
trout-bearing streams from June 2006 to May
2007. That reduced the ability of the fish to
feed and reproduce.
Construction on the seven-mile highway
segment, to replace a winding section of U.S. 20
between Corvallis and Newport, resumed this
summer after road building was halted to assess
a host of ancient landslides that had set back
the work.
Granite, based in Watsonville, Calif., and
doing business in Oregon as Yaquina River
Constructors, expects to complete one-third of
the $205 million project by the end of
September, finishing in 2011. It's Oregon's
largest highway project since Interstate 205 was
built in the 1970s.
Under the agreement announced Friday, Granite
has until October 2009 to complete three
restoration projects covering eight miles of
Deer, Cougar, Sugarbowl and Hayes creeks, all in
Lincoln County and all considered key habitat
for salmon and trout.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
oversees the projects, which will include
placing more than 450 conifer logs to create
debris jams and pools to help adult fish spawn
and young fish find refuge. Cougar Creek was one
of the tributaries affected by erosion from the
road building.
Last year, DEQ assessed a $240,000 penalty
against Granite, which the company appealed.
Negotiations led to the three projects and the
far smaller penalty of $48,000.
Had the company simply paid $240,000 in
fines, the money would have gone to the state's
general fund under Oregon law, not to
environmental projects, said Jeff Bachman, a DEQ
environmental law specialist. Granite will have
to use third-party contractors and submit
receipts to show that it paid at least $192,000
for the stream work, Bachman said.
Company officials are eager to move on and
look forward to seeing the improvement projects
completed, said Geoff Boraston, Granite's
director of environmental affairs. "It's always
better to know that the money is going to
something that actually improves habitat."
Scott Learn: 503-294-7657; scottlearn@news.oregonian.com
For environment news, go to oregonlive.com/environment
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July 2008
Opposition to quarry is rock solid (July 21, 2008 - Los Angeles Times)
June 2008
Quarry discussed at meeting of town leaders (June 19, 2008 - NC Times/The
Californian)
Fallbrook artist becomes activist (June 18, 2008 - NC Times/The Californian)
Quarry quarrel gets scientific (June 14, 2008 - NC Times/The Californian)
April 2008
Quarry and City continue to quarrel over purpose of annexation (April 7,
2008 - NC Times/The Californian)
March 2008
Group of physicians oppose quarry, cite health concerns (March 26, 2008 -
The Press Enterprise)
Doctors say quarry is a prescription for trouble (March 26, 2008 - NC
Times/The Californian)
February 2008
The High Cost of Low-Priced Aggregate (February 28, 2008, Community Forum
article by Michele Bain - NC Times/The Californian)
Critical review of Temecula annexation on tap (February 21, 2008 - NC
Times/The Californian)
Opponents of quarry emphasize issues to residents (February 4, 2007 -
Fallbrook/Bonsall Village News)
Liberty quarry meeting draws full house (February 1, 2008 - NC Times/The
Californian)
December 2007
Mix
of good news and difficulties expected in 2008 (December 31, 2007 - NC
Times/The Californian)
They are fighting for our environment (December 27, 2007 - Fallbrook/Bonsall
Village News)
November 2007
Region's water belongs to all of us (November 16, 2007, Community Forum
article by Michele Bain - NC Times/The Californian)
October 2007
Rosemary's Mountain in the spotlight once more (October 20, 2007 - NC
Times/The Californian)
Planning group forms committee to examine Liberty Quarry (October 15, 2007 -
NC Times/The Californian)
September 2007
River painting on display (September 20, 2007 - Fallbrook/Bonsall Village
News)
Quarry proponents seeking water service (September 5, 2007 - NC Times/The
Californian)
August 2007
Peace in our time -- and valley (August 18, 2007 - Paul Jacobs column in the
NC Times/The Californian)
Ragland's Santa Margarita River painting moves on to Temecula (August 14,
2007 - NC Times/The Californian)
July 2007
Roses & Raspberries (July 26, 2007 - NC Times/The Californian)
June 2007
Liberty Quarry - A Rock Hard Sell (June 20, 2007 - la.indymedia.org)
Builders only concerned with building (June 5, 2007, Community Forum article
by Barbara Wilder - NC Times/The Californian)
May 2007
Free-flowing Santa Margarita is a rarity (May 28, 2007 - NC Times/The
Californian)
Annexation comments focus on mine plan in Temecula (May 11, 2007 - The Press
Enterprise)
Rainbow Water delivers a victory (May 1, 2007 - NC Times/The Californian)
April 2007
Rainbow nixes call for talks with Granite Construction (April 26, 2007 - NC
Times/The Californian)
Rainbow rejects water tap to proposed quarry
(April 26, 2007 - The Union Tribune)
I-15 Corridor destined for development, increased traffic (April 20, 2007 -
Temecula/Murrieta Valley News)
Company asks Rainbow for water for Liberty Quarry (April 19, 2007 - NC
Times/The Californian)
Visitor's Center planned for reserve - (April 13, 2007 - NC Times/The
Californian)
As
Sergeant Friday says, "Just the Facts" - (a reply by Mark Mush to Gary
Johnson’s Community Forum in the NC Times/The Californian on March 17, 2007)
Granite meeting resistance in Temecula (April 9, 2007 - Joe Benvenuto
commentary in the NC Times/The Californian)
Quarries attract more quarries (April 5, 2007 - Jim Mitchell commentary in
the NC Times/The Californian)
March 2007
Temecula to look at land needs (March 27, 2007 - The Press Enterprise)
Johnson's concrete facts are mush (March 25, 2007 - Meryle Hammat commentary
in the NC Times/The Californian)
Opponents of planned mine hold rally at Temecula park (March 19, 2007 - The
Press Enterprise)
Group spells out opposition to gravel quarry (March 19, 2007 - NC Times/The
Californian)
First Liberty Quarry forum in Fallbrook draws crowd (March 10, 2007 - NC
Times/The Californian)
Temecula begins process to annex quarry land (March 7, 2007 - The Press
Enterprise)
Temecula begins process to annex quarry land (March 7, 2007 - NC Times/The
Californian)
Temecula moves in on quarry: Council OK's the initiation of annexation process
for 4,700 acres (March 7, 2007 - NC Times/The Californian)
Plans for Rosemary's Mountain grinding along (March 4, 2007 - NC Times/The
Californian)
Quarry meeting on tap in Fallbrook (March 3, 2007 - NC Times/The
Californian)
Anti-quarry group prepares for rally (March 1, 2007 - The Press Enterprise)
Quarry an environmental disaster (March 1, 2007 - Armondo P. Lopez
commentary in the NC Times/The Californian)
February 2007
Cracks in Granite's claims showing (February 28, 2007 - Mark Mush column in
the NC Times/The Californian)
Latest study more smoke (February 25, 2007 - Paul Jacobs column in the NC
Times/The Californian)
Quarry opponents plan meeting in Fallbrook (February 24, 2007 - NC Times/The
Californian)
You won't have to say 'cheese' for this photo (February 23, 2007 - NC
Times/The Californian)
Rally against Liberty Quarry planned (February 17, 2007 - Temecula/Murrieta
Valley News)
Schwarzenegger M.I.A. on Liberty Quarry (February
14, 2007 - World Sentinel)
More money for quarry studies (February 13, 2007 - NC Times/The Californian)
Anti-quarry message spreads to Fallbrook (February 9, 2007 - NC Times/The
Californian)
City of Temecula may block quarry (February 1, 2007 - Fallbrook/Bonsall
Village News)
January 2007
Schwarzenegger M.I.A. on Liberty Quarry (January 31, 2007 - San Diego/Indymedia.org)
Temecula to pursue annexation study (January 23, 2007 - NC Times/The
Californian)
Temecula to consider annexing quarry site (January 18, 2007 - NC Times/The
Californian)
SDSU Official leads tour of proposed quarry area (January 19, 2007 - NC
Times/The Californian)
Locating a quarry here is all cracked up (January 18, 2007 - NC Times/The
Californian)
Reserve offers educational hike (January 12, 2007 - Temecula Valley News)
Town-hall meeting on quarry draws a crowd (January 11, 2007 - NC Times/The
Californian)
Resolve to make a difference (January 10, 2007 - NC Times/The Californian)
Rainbow residents to meet over Liberty Quarry proposal (January 9, 2007 - NC
Times/The Californian)
2006
Quarry draws ground swell of opinions (December 30, 2006 - NC Times/The
Californian)
Miyamoto to play benefit concert at Old Town Temecula Community Theater
(December 27, 2006 - NC Times/The Californinan)
Quarry will be a poor legacy (December 20, 2006 - Jerri Arganda Commentary
in NC Times/The Californian)
A tale of two governments (December 19, 2006 - NC Times/The Californian)
Residents rally against proposed Liberty Quarry (December 15, 2006 -
Fallbrook/Bonsall Village News)
Council to fund its own study (December 12, 2006 - The Press Enterprise)
Temecula wants independent review of quarry; Council OKs $41K for consultants
(December 12, 2006 -
NC Times/The Californian)
Liberty Quarry rally draws large crowd in Rainbow (December 6, 2006 -
NC Times/The Californian)
Overflow crowd fills mine forum (December 5, 2006 - The Press Enterprise)
Sensitive Habitat (December 3, 2006 - The Press Enterprise)
Property right go both ways (November 30, 2006 - NC Times/The Californian)
Quarry 'facts' misleading at best (November 28, 2006 - Norman Block
Commentary in NC Times/The Californian)
Rainbow residents plan meeting to discuss quarry (November 26, 2006 - NC
Times/The Californian)
Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve - The land that bridges time (November
17, 2006 - Fallbrook/Bonsall Village News)
RATq group to meet - (November 17, 2006 -
Fallbrook/Bonsall Village News)
Voters pick 7 in Rainbow Planning race (November 8, 2006 - NC Times/The
Californian)
A Quarry Quandry (October 22, 2006 - San Diego Union-Tribune)
Councilman listened when it counted (October 19, 2006 - Bobbe Wilder
Commentary in NC Times/The Californian)
Champion for Mountain Lions (September 29, 2006 - Temecula Valley News)
NO to the quarry (August 18, 2006 - Fallbrook/Bonsall Village News)
Quarry means silica dust, diesel fumes (August 13, 2006 -
NC Times/The Californian)
Mining company defends quarry site choice
(August 2, 2006 - Press Enterprise)
Lt. Governor Candidate: No Tunnel, No Quarry
(Aug. 1, 2006)
Quarry will devastate values
(August 9, 2006 - NC Times/The Californian)
People have spoken against quarry
(August 2, 2006 - NC Times/The Californian)
Quarry report uses junk science
(July 29, 2006 - NC Times/The Californian)
Stone will be on spot soon
(July 20, 2006 - NC Times/The Californian)
Nothing 'free' about Liberty Quarry
(July 19, 2006 - NC Times/The Californian)
Scientist is community consultant
(July 18, 2006 - Press Enterprise)
The time to fight is now
(July 1, 2006 - NC Times/The Californian)
Acoustic musicians raise their voices to halt mine plans
(June 25, 2006 - San Diego Union Tribune)
Protesters Gather Signatures Against Rock Quarry
(June 24, 2006 - CBS2.com)
Group says 70 percent oppose quarry
(June 24, 2006 - MSNBC.com)
Quarry will be very obvious
(June 20, 2006 - NC Times/The Californian)
Quarry will destroy Temecula
(June 19, 2006 - NC Times/The Californian)
County dumped on again
(June 17, 2006 - NC Times/The Californian)
Protestors hit asphalt in united front to say "move on" to Liberty Quarry mine
(May 12, 2006 - Valley News)
Quarry a disaster in the making (May 12, 2006 - NC Times/The Californian)
Temecula residents protest proposed gravel mine (May 8, 2006 - Associated
Press)
Crowd comes out in Temecula against quarry (May 8, 2006 - NC Times/The
Californian)
Quarry company currying favor (May 7, 2006 - NC Times/The Californian)
Protest planned against proposed quarry (May 4, 2006 - NC Times/The
Californian)
Scientist will give us the truth
(Letter to the Editor, April 1, 2006 - NC Times/The Californian)
Rainbow leaders to talk about traffic at weigh station (January 17, 2006 -
NC Times, The Californian)
Community officials, public invited to town meeting (January 11, 2006 - NC
Times/The Californian)
2005
Air violations raise questions about quarry operator (October 2, 2005
- NC Times/The Californian)
Haynes' legacy a hole? (August 20, 2005 - NC Times/The Californian)
Rainbow Planners to seek Horn's help (August 18, 2005 - NC Times/The
Californian)
Get your own rocks (August 18, 2005 - John Hunneman, columnist for The Californian)
Opponents sound off on quarry (August 18, 2005 - NC Times/The Californian)
Quarry not a good fit (August 17, 2005 - NC Times/The Californian)
Opposition mounts to Riverside County Quarry (August 16, 2005 - NC Times/The
Californian)
Quarry scoping meeting set for Wednesday (August 12, 2005 - NC Times/The
Californian)
State Supreme Court rules that regulators can intervene when local governments
fail to adequately curb damage caused by mines and quarries
(August 9, 2005 - NC Times/The Californian)
Group makes case against quarry (June 28, 2005 - NC Times/The Californian)
Conservation districts to meet on quarry issue (May 23, 2005 - North County
Times/The Californian)
A quarrel over quarry (March 26, 2005 - San Diego Union Tribune)
Riverside County quarry idea rocks Rainbow (March 18, 2005 - North County
Times/The Californian)
Quarry faces minefield of opposition (March 6, 2005 - North County Times/The
Californian)
Scientist will give us the truth
The Redhawk Community Association announced the hiring of David Gemmell in
order to assist the members of its board of directors in the evaluation of
the scientific aspects of the environmental impact report regarding
Granite Construction's proposed Liberty Quarry open pit mining operation.
This environmental report is scheduled to be received by the county Board
of Supervisors sometime this summer.
Mr. Gemmell is a scientist possessing an in-depth background in the
determination of air quality standards. He has worked extensively with the
South Coast Air Quality Management District and is thoroughly familiar
with its objectives and mandates.
Just days before the Redhawk announcement, Save Our Southwest Hills was
privileged to attend a presentation by Mr. Gemmell. His approach is
analytical and non-political. His report will conclusively determine the
level of impact of dust pollution in the Temecula Valley, produced by an
aggregate mine located "upwind."
This is in contrast to Granite's approach, which, while busy pledging
responsibility to our community, is part of a mining coalition urging
SCAQMD to relax its standards. For example, current standards prohibit
aggregate mining during high-wind conditions. The coalition wishes to
purge that standard.
Other effects of concern involve aesthetics, traffic and light pollution.
This open pit mine is scheduled to operate 20 hours each day, with 1,400
gravel truck trips per day, 5-6 days per week for a period 50 to 75 years.
Granite's Gary Johnson tells us not to worry. We feel otherwise.
KATHLEEN HAMILTON
President, Save Our Southwest Hills
TemeculaReprinted from The Californian
Newspaper, 4/01/2006
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PO Box 2196, Temecula, CA 92593 951.676.6912
Save Our Southwest Hills is a non-profit
group dedicated to
preserving the
natural features of the Santa Rosa Escarpment.
Copyright © 2006 -2010 SOS-Hills. All
Rights Reserved.
