First some history: in 2007 Kenwood Investments attempted to purchase Konocti Harbor Resort (KHR). We (led by Rob Brown) with a little detective work uncovered their plan to find a tribe of Native Americans and put together a congressional effort to put this property so crucial to our county”s economy (and pride) into federal trust as a sovereign nation.
Then working with a large gaming corporation (the money) they would develop the property into a casino resort. They are well connected (including Barbara Boxer”s son) and effective at getting things through congress ? almost undercover to the local government. The result would be a nice casino property ? however forever outside of county/state control and for the most part off of the tax rolls.
Following public petitions, several public meetings, hours of BOS time, and most importantly a large passionate community response, the BOS (again led by Brown) passed a resolution against KHR becoming such a gaming property. The developers (although not needing county approval) moved on not wanting to oppose such strong resentment.
Last week Greg Bennett went to the BOS with a story of woe that KHR needs to be sold and improved or it will be closed. In response the BOS (with Supervisor Brown absent) passed a resolution to consider and assist with any and all deals for KHR and then as part of this same spur-of-the-moment response included words to rescind the resolution of 2007 against KHR gaming that we all fought so hard to put in place.
This property is one of the gems of Lake County and could be developed into one of the premier destination resorts and corporate retreats on the west coast. Putting this property into public trust for tax and control considerations is like moving it out of the county ? it will be gone forever.
If you agree contact your supervisors and tell them they acted too quickly. Or maybe this is important enough that we should put it on the November ballot so we can more permanently state our case against any attempt to turn KHR into a sovereign nation.
Ed Calkins
Kelseyville
