By Donna Westfall – July 11, 2017
Half-Way Houses – it can be a good place to help those transitioning off drugs and alcohol. Did you know that on today’s Board of Supervisors agenda was item #11; to pay $40,000 a year to house up to 11 females at 230 E. Lauff, Crescent City?
On the surface, sounds good, doesn’t it?
Are there problems?
Maybe only in the following ways:
- Lori Cowan recused herself without giving a reason. Let’s call that problem #1
- Lori Cowan was the selling agent. It was listed at $120,000 and sold for $80,000 in February, 2017. Public Servants Who Are Realtors, Brokers, or Appraisers: Any source of income aggregating $500 or more provided to, received by, or promised to a public servant within 12 months before the time a governmental decision is being made is considered an economic interest. Government Code section 87103(c). For public servants who are paid on commission or through other incentive compensation, such as realtors, brokers, appraisers, or salespersons, special rules apply in determining whether a disqualifying source of income exists. See Regulation 18700.1 Let’s call that problem #2
- Wondering if any promises or suggestions were made to the purchasers of the property, Richard & Donna Hopkins, that she might have an “IN” in converting it to a half-way house? In other words, did Lori Cowan use her political station as a closing argument to the sale? Since this is conjecture at the moment, let’s not call this problem #3 yet. Need further research.
- Has Lori Cowan sold any other properties that were then used for half-way houses? Need to research this.
- Do the surrounding neighbors and property owners have any right to know that a half-way house will be opened in their neighborhood. Need to research this.
The motion was defeated in a 2-1 vote with Supervisor Gitlin voting NO.
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