Burned-down citrus packing plant

Well, well, well — time has come and gone for the groundbreaking and “parade” for one of the owners, J. Larry Gabele of the “burned-down Citrus Packing Plant.” Numerous calls have been made to your paper regarding this plant. But apparently you still want to see through “rose-colored glasses” and not return calls. So let’s hear this one out, O.K.?

On Nov. 3, 2004, your “hero” Gabele and his associates were caught red-handed by the Regional Water Control Board, pumping their contaminated water into our creek directly behind their building. They were told to cease and desist from anymore pumping. They did not do so. Dead birds, condoms, sewage! Even with the possibility of administrative enforcement of fines of $10,000 per day and more. Did they close the building as required by Code Enforcement? No, they did not. They’ve made a mockery of our intelligence in this town as well as our County Supervisors and Sheriff’s Department. Village Newspaper — this is essentially yours, since you don’t seem to get it anymore than they do, or you would never have printed such rubbish. You failed to contact me with the other side of the story. By the way — your paper fits nicely in the bottom of my birdcage — my birds thank you.

Again, on 1/8/05, again Gabele’s associate was pumping the contaminated water illegally into our storm drains! This time, the Sheriff was called in the witness it. And so it was. And so it is being addressed. Don’t plan on this building getting done anytime soon — but in the meantime — request that it be CLOSED UP FOR SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN! JLG was told in “black and white” by Code Enforcement exactly which doors and windows had to be closed up and totally secured. And he has again failed to do so.

Is this the type of business ownership that we really want in Fallbrook? An irresponsible out-of-town businessman and his associates that could care less about our Fallbrook community and our children. Don’t forget this trashy gang-haven is right across the street from two elementary schools. Our poor rotary club has been running ragged trying to keep the graffiti off the site and surrounding areas for its aesthetics, however that doesn’t get rid of the problem, does it? And then maybe we should talk about why you are selectively printing the “Sheriff’s Log” in your paper. We sure wouldn’t want to mess up “tourism” here. My gosh, they may read your paper, and think, “Wow, Fallbrook has some bad elements and issues here that aren’t being met — let’s take our search for home and business elsewhere.” Realizing of course that a newspaper’s bread and butter is the advertisements it gets from businesses, it would be understandable that one with a vested interest may want to “give a parade for someone like J. Larry Gabele.” Hmmmmmmmm.

A small-town newspaper that covers up the REAL story about something that effects us all and our children and grandchildren — YOU should be the ones to be ashamed. We rely on the people in this town to give truthful unbiased news — good or bad for the betterment of this community. Is it possible that you are being pressured by certain “groups” of people within this community, whose only intention is to bolster their own businesses and pad their pockets?

GOOD CITIZENS OF FALLBROOK — stand up and be counted. Don’t turn your heads any longer. If things remain the way they are — we’re going down. By the way — how about that yummy bottled water? I’d get some about now.

I will not be intimidated, and I’m not going anywhere soon. By the way — I tried the honey attracts more flies scenario — BUT WHO NEEDS FLIES, anyway?