November 26, 2018 - I received an email from a good friend this morning. It said, “R_ _ _ _ _ M_ _ _ _ _ got this conversation going through her Supervisor. I recall some of you discussing nearby properties with high fuel loads and owners not doing anything about it being an important issue to you. Given the horrifying events in Paradise and Santa Rosa, it is likely our county will need some sort of action to a.) compel land owners, b.) provide assistance and/or c.) allow neighboring parcel owners to mitigate fuel hazards on [their property] neighboring properties sooner rather than later.  I think this is a timely, critical public safety issue discussion and each of you has something important to add to make sure the direction of the conversation is productive and relevant.…”

I believe that we must begin to look at this problem from a different point of view. Therefore, I suggest that we, our government, consider doing what many subdivisions do. They require that all property owners maintain their properties in a fire safe condition. The Subdivision sends inspectors around periodically to check on what is happening. If a property owner does not fire safe their property, they receive a notice advising them that they must do it within a specified period of time and if they fail to do so, the subdivision will hire contractors to have the property made fire safe and send the property owner a bill for the services rendered. If the property owner does not pay the bill, including compound interest, the subdivision files a lien against the property. Our County government could attach the unpaid bill to property tax bills.

Some of these subdivisions just sit on the lien until the property is sold. When this happens, all liens are paid out of the proceeds of the sale. Other subdivisions wait a reasonable period of time for the payment to be made. If payment is not received, they force the sale of the property to pay off the money owed to the subdivision.

To me, it makes sense for our county to do the same thing. And yes, I know about all of the usual cries about property rights that will be raised by many. But these same people would be the first to change their tune if it was their life that was at risk. We must remember that the life of one individual is far more important than any other individuals property rights. In addition, what is good for the many must take precedence over what is good for the few. That's the way a democracy works. In other words, the majority rules.

Lowell Young
Mariposa, CA.