Breaking and Other News
On Sunday February 26th there was a surprise potluck birthday party in the clubhouse for RBV Park favorite, Joe Peacock who celebrated 77 trips around the sun on the 27th. As you can see by the look on Joe's face, he truly was surprised and touched seeing all of his friends gathered to celebrate his birthday. The first few photos were of the decorations and people gathering before Joe's arrival. Big thanks to Mary Odell who had the job of getting him to the clubhouse. Grace Savage and Carolyn Caffey did a fantastic job decorating the clubhouse for the event. HaPpY BiRtHdAy JOE!
Photos: Dean Mitcham, Karla Carson
The Legend of pastor charlie g.
On Tuesday February 28th, Pastor Charlie G visited the RBV Clubhouse for a Revival Meeting which coincided with Tuesday Morning Coffee Break. Pastor G brought his midwestern brand of healing to the masses, and saved folks by the droves. It was certainly a miracle we witnessed on Tuesday morning as Pastor Charlie G darkened our doors with his sharp wit and quick humor and graced us with good feeling that lasted for several minutes while we cleaned up after coffee and donuts. This just goes to show that Coffee Break is THE place to be on Tuesday mornings as you never know what will happen!
Bless up, Charlie G!
Bless up, Charlie G!
FRANK COWAN
It is with heavy hearts and sadness, we must announce the passing of our friend, our RBV neighbor and the Creator/Editor of our online “Rancho Buena Vista Estates Bulletin”- FRANK COWAN.
https://www.marshallspoosunsetfuneralchapel.com/
Our sincere condolences go to Becki and all of Frank’s extended family.
Editors note: Judith Porter wrote a wonderful piece for and about Frank Cowan. You may click here to see it on the "Think Abouts" Page. rbvbulletin.weebly.com/think-abouts.html
It is with heavy hearts and sadness, we must announce the passing of our friend, our RBV neighbor and the Creator/Editor of our online “Rancho Buena Vista Estates Bulletin”- FRANK COWAN.
https://www.marshallspoosunsetfuneralchapel.com/
Our sincere condolences go to Becki and all of Frank’s extended family.
Editors note: Judith Porter wrote a wonderful piece for and about Frank Cowan. You may click here to see it on the "Think Abouts" Page. rbvbulletin.weebly.com/think-abouts.html
More ducks
First there were two...then three...then four..and now five. In previous years there were two - a male and a female. Taken 26 May at 7pm.
Annual visit by....
ducks ducks ducks...
Photos by Frank Cowan
new resident reception
"Tacos and a good time was had by all Saturday, 22 February, at the clubhouse. It was a chance for new residents to get acquainted with some long term folks. The 'new and old' residents' meet and greet was a huge success! The place was packed! Thanks to the HOA Board for a great event," said Jerry Carpe.
Photos by Frank Cowan
Photos by Frank Cowan
Photos by Jerry Carpe
some christmas decorations
I am learning a new camera for work, so I thought I'd take a drive around the Ranch and photograph some of the decorations up this year. These are only lightly edited. Frank Cowan.
2019 Bake and craft sale
By all accounts a very successful event again this year. Photos by Becki Cowan.
Halloween party and dance
As they say, "A great time was had by all." A fair turnout for this year's Halloween bash in the clubhouse. Great costumes, great food, and entertainment by Randy!
Snapshots by Frank Cowan
Snapshots by Frank Cowan
looking for halloween decorations
It was a bright, sunny day (although windy, of course) Sunday, 20 October, when I decided to drive 'round the Ranch to see what Halloween decorations I could find. Here is what I found.
no such thing as a free lunch?
It was free to Ranch residents Thursday, 17 October, as members of Pacific Christian Center of Santa Maria cooked and served a delicious barbecue chicken feast.
Bill Willingham, Co-Leader, Prime Time Senior Group, said members of the church have been using the clubhouse for years for their pot luck meetings, and the group felt it was time to say "thank you."
Willingham said about 45 Ranch residents joined church members for lunch, which consisted of barbecued chicken, a variety of salads, beans, bread, cake and cookies. He said the idea for the occasion was Ranch resident and church member Bill Montford's.
HOA meeting, 14 october 2019
Monday's meeting had an excellent turnout. A presentation from HICAP regarding the open enrollment in Medicare was informative. The big draw was information from HOA President Gary Hall about the lease for residents.
I was at the meeting to try to get good information on the lease situation. These are my notes from the best I could understand from listening to the sound system.
The city is moving toward considering a mobile home rent ordnance stabilization program. It is not known when that will be enacted or what it will contain. Gary Hall and other residents will be attending the council meeting Tuesday, 15 October.
The big question for many: “what options do I have?” As I understand it, you have two. One is sign the ten year lease. A second option is to stipulate you are signing a one year lease. However, at the end of that year you will fall under a month-to-month agreement, without the protections of a lease. Very similar to renting a house or an apartment.
Is not signing an option? No. Yes but it will take you into a month to month tenancy.
“Can I guarantee the city’s rent stabilization program will be better than the ten year lease,” asked Gary Hall. “No,” he said. “If you sign a ten year lease the city’s rent control will not help you,” he continued.
Hall suggested that if you need help in figuring out the lease, get help. He mentioned a couple of mobile home associations for assistance, but I hope he will be available to help also.
The city is moving toward considering a mobile home rent ordnance stabilization program. It is not known when that will be enacted or what it will contain. Gary Hall and other residents will be attending the council meeting Tuesday, 15 October.
The big question for many: “what options do I have?” As I understand it, you have two. One is sign the ten year lease. A second option is to stipulate you are signing a one year lease. However, at the end of that year you will fall under a month-to-month agreement, without the protections of a lease. Very similar to renting a house or an apartment.
Is not signing an option? No. Yes but it will take you into a month to month tenancy.
“Can I guarantee the city’s rent stabilization program will be better than the ten year lease,” asked Gary Hall. “No,” he said. “If you sign a ten year lease the city’s rent control will not help you,” he continued.
Hall suggested that if you need help in figuring out the lease, get help. He mentioned a couple of mobile home associations for assistance, but I hope he will be available to help also.
Marshall baldwin brightens the neighborhood
water dropping helicopter flies over the ranch
We learned the chopper was part of air attack on the fire In the riverbed off Hwy 101on 21 September. Lea-Marie Mix, Tony Martindale, Dean Mitcham, and I got some shots.
We are saddened to announced that long time resident Carl Holmquist passed away this morning, 12 September. He was with his family.
cactus flower blooms on via visalia
6 September, 2019. Judith Porter announces a bloom on a cactus in front of her house on Via Visalia. The flower starts out as a dark bud, then, after about six months, blossoms, but for only 24 hours. If you want to see these beautiful flowers you better hurry.
Photos by Frank Cowan
early photos from the 2019 garage sale
RBV and other parks make the news
Santa Maria explores potential model lease, rent stabilization
for mobile home parks
Since last fall, the city of Santa Maria has worked to facilitate talks between mobile home park residents and park owners in an effort to preserve affordable living for residents, many of whom are seniors living on fixed incomes.
Talks have not yet produced lease conditions agreeable to both parties, and residents fear time is running out, as leases for two of the city’s largest parks are set to expire, according to Gary Hall of North Santa Barbara County Manufactured Homeowners Team.
The organization represents residents from five of Santa Maria's parks that are home to around 1,600 people.
The unique condition of park residents — who usually own their homes but not the land — leaves them in a vulnerable state, Hall said. Although the homes are called “mobile,” the cost to move them makes it virtually impossible.
As space rents rise at rates that exceed the annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, it places enormous strain on those with fixed incomes, Hall said.
Over time, the increases become unsustainable, leading some park residents to have to sell their homes.
“If your budget is pretty small and you’re being asked to spend more and more on your rent — something’s got to give,” Hall said, noting that those priced out of mobile homes are unlikely to find comparable housing elsewhere.
“It’s a real tragedy when someone has to leave their home and friends,” he said.
Residents’ concerns
The terms of current leases at northwest Santa Maria parks like Casa Grande and Rancho Buena Vista call for annual rate increases on the base rent to rise with the Los Angeles-area Consumer Price Index, with a minimum rise of 3% and a maximum rise of 7%.
In years when the CPI is less than 3% — like most years during the past decade — the rent rises 3%.
The consecutive rate increases that depart from the CPI are the problem, said Jackie Narachi, a resident of Casa Grande and a North Santa Barbara County Manufactured Homeowners Team member.
The rent increases also harm the value of the mobile home itself, because any potential buyers must then incorporate the cost of increased rent into the purchase price, she said.
According to the Mobile Home Park Homeowners Allegiance, the “general industry rule of thumb” is that a $10 increase in monthly space rent results in a $1,000 loss in equity for the homeowner.
“So the rent keeps going up and it lowers the value of what you could sell for,” Narachi said.
Hall said one of the primary goals is having rent protections in place if a park is sold to an owner who intends to institute steep rate increases, which has happened elsewhere in the state.
In Fullerton and Anaheim, mobile home park residents were notified earlier this year that they would face rent increases of over $200 a month shortly after the park was sold, according to the Orange County Register.
Before that, the residents experienced incremental rate increases amounting to $5 to $15.
According to a Feb. 14 Washington Post report, many large investment and private equity firms — including the Carlyle Group and Apollo Global Management — have been purchasing mobile home parks, viewing them as an asset that provides steady returns, even during a recession, and fewer operating costs than other real estate investments.
Unlike apartment tenants, park residents generally own their homes and are responsible for maintenance and upkeep.
What’s been done so far
The longing for city action that would establish a rent stabilization ordinance or an enforceable “model lease” goes back 20 years.
The Santa Maria City Council considered a rent stabilization ordinance in 1999, but it was voted down in a 2-3 vote.
Instead, the city adopted a “model lease” program it encouraged residents and park owners to use.
The program, which remains voluntary and unenforceable, is not in use by any of the city’s parks.
In November, Mayor Alice Patino directed city staff to bring something to the council agenda after North Santa Barbara County Manufactured Homeowners Team members called for the City Council to establish a space rent stabilization ordinance or develop a model lease that could be enforced.
Earlier that fall, Councilwoman Etta Waterfield had called for a rent stabilization ordinance during a candidates’ forum held in advance of the 2018 election.
Since then, the city has held four stakeholder meetings, hoping to facilitate a solution that would protect residents from unexpected cost increases while providing park owners a fair return on their investment, said City Manager Jason Stilwell.
Patino and Waterfield, who have each attended two of the stakeholder meetings, did not respond to interview requests.
While the stakeholders have come to a preliminary agreement on which terms would be included in the model lease, Stilwell said, there is still wrangling over how to define those terms and what the conditions regulating rate increases would ultimately be.
Councilwoman Gloria Soto said she is hopeful city staff would bring something forward that could benefit homeowners and the parks.
Soto, who was unable to attend the stakeholder meetings due to Brown Act provisions that prohibit a majority of the council members discussing city business in private, said she was looking forward to seeing what comes out of the meetings.
“With mobile homes, it’s people on fixed incomes, seniors, veterans and low-income families living in these parks,” she said. “At the end of the day, our job is to look at the best interests of our residents, especially the most vulnerable.”
Next steps
The option currently eyed by city officials is a revamp of the model lease program with added provisions that provide for enforcement, Stilwell said.
Although Patino had asked for something to be brought to the City Council, it’s not clear that it will be able to vote on anything.
The model lease that both park owners and residents agree to would serve as “a middle ground between an ordinance and not doing anything,” Stilwell said.
While an ordinance may come before the council, Stilwell said, the goal is a model lease that could serve as the “default” option, but allow tenants and park owners to negotiate alternative terms, if desired.
“Some residents told us that they’re happy with the terms and they don’t want the city getting involved in their lease negotiations,” Stilwell said. “If people do want to have a model and want to know what the negotiated terms have been, we want to make that is available to them.
“Ultimately, our goal is to maintain affordable housing for our residents,” he said.
North Santa Barbara County Manufactured Homeowners Team members are in favor of a model lease but are opposed to anything that would be voluntary on behalf of park owners, Hall said.
“If it’s voluntary, that leaves us at the mercy of the park owner, who could pull the rug anytime,” he said.
Story by Razi Syed who covers city government for the Santa Maria Times. He is a graduate of Fresno State University and New York University.
Talks have not yet produced lease conditions agreeable to both parties, and residents fear time is running out, as leases for two of the city’s largest parks are set to expire, according to Gary Hall of North Santa Barbara County Manufactured Homeowners Team.
The organization represents residents from five of Santa Maria's parks that are home to around 1,600 people.
The unique condition of park residents — who usually own their homes but not the land — leaves them in a vulnerable state, Hall said. Although the homes are called “mobile,” the cost to move them makes it virtually impossible.
As space rents rise at rates that exceed the annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, it places enormous strain on those with fixed incomes, Hall said.
Over time, the increases become unsustainable, leading some park residents to have to sell their homes.
“If your budget is pretty small and you’re being asked to spend more and more on your rent — something’s got to give,” Hall said, noting that those priced out of mobile homes are unlikely to find comparable housing elsewhere.
“It’s a real tragedy when someone has to leave their home and friends,” he said.
Residents’ concerns
The terms of current leases at northwest Santa Maria parks like Casa Grande and Rancho Buena Vista call for annual rate increases on the base rent to rise with the Los Angeles-area Consumer Price Index, with a minimum rise of 3% and a maximum rise of 7%.
In years when the CPI is less than 3% — like most years during the past decade — the rent rises 3%.
The consecutive rate increases that depart from the CPI are the problem, said Jackie Narachi, a resident of Casa Grande and a North Santa Barbara County Manufactured Homeowners Team member.
The rent increases also harm the value of the mobile home itself, because any potential buyers must then incorporate the cost of increased rent into the purchase price, she said.
According to the Mobile Home Park Homeowners Allegiance, the “general industry rule of thumb” is that a $10 increase in monthly space rent results in a $1,000 loss in equity for the homeowner.
“So the rent keeps going up and it lowers the value of what you could sell for,” Narachi said.
Hall said one of the primary goals is having rent protections in place if a park is sold to an owner who intends to institute steep rate increases, which has happened elsewhere in the state.
In Fullerton and Anaheim, mobile home park residents were notified earlier this year that they would face rent increases of over $200 a month shortly after the park was sold, according to the Orange County Register.
Before that, the residents experienced incremental rate increases amounting to $5 to $15.
According to a Feb. 14 Washington Post report, many large investment and private equity firms — including the Carlyle Group and Apollo Global Management — have been purchasing mobile home parks, viewing them as an asset that provides steady returns, even during a recession, and fewer operating costs than other real estate investments.
Unlike apartment tenants, park residents generally own their homes and are responsible for maintenance and upkeep.
What’s been done so far
The longing for city action that would establish a rent stabilization ordinance or an enforceable “model lease” goes back 20 years.
The Santa Maria City Council considered a rent stabilization ordinance in 1999, but it was voted down in a 2-3 vote.
Instead, the city adopted a “model lease” program it encouraged residents and park owners to use.
The program, which remains voluntary and unenforceable, is not in use by any of the city’s parks.
In November, Mayor Alice Patino directed city staff to bring something to the council agenda after North Santa Barbara County Manufactured Homeowners Team members called for the City Council to establish a space rent stabilization ordinance or develop a model lease that could be enforced.
Earlier that fall, Councilwoman Etta Waterfield had called for a rent stabilization ordinance during a candidates’ forum held in advance of the 2018 election.
Since then, the city has held four stakeholder meetings, hoping to facilitate a solution that would protect residents from unexpected cost increases while providing park owners a fair return on their investment, said City Manager Jason Stilwell.
Patino and Waterfield, who have each attended two of the stakeholder meetings, did not respond to interview requests.
While the stakeholders have come to a preliminary agreement on which terms would be included in the model lease, Stilwell said, there is still wrangling over how to define those terms and what the conditions regulating rate increases would ultimately be.
Councilwoman Gloria Soto said she is hopeful city staff would bring something forward that could benefit homeowners and the parks.
Soto, who was unable to attend the stakeholder meetings due to Brown Act provisions that prohibit a majority of the council members discussing city business in private, said she was looking forward to seeing what comes out of the meetings.
“With mobile homes, it’s people on fixed incomes, seniors, veterans and low-income families living in these parks,” she said. “At the end of the day, our job is to look at the best interests of our residents, especially the most vulnerable.”
Next steps
The option currently eyed by city officials is a revamp of the model lease program with added provisions that provide for enforcement, Stilwell said.
Although Patino had asked for something to be brought to the City Council, it’s not clear that it will be able to vote on anything.
The model lease that both park owners and residents agree to would serve as “a middle ground between an ordinance and not doing anything,” Stilwell said.
While an ordinance may come before the council, Stilwell said, the goal is a model lease that could serve as the “default” option, but allow tenants and park owners to negotiate alternative terms, if desired.
“Some residents told us that they’re happy with the terms and they don’t want the city getting involved in their lease negotiations,” Stilwell said. “If people do want to have a model and want to know what the negotiated terms have been, we want to make that is available to them.
“Ultimately, our goal is to maintain affordable housing for our residents,” he said.
North Santa Barbara County Manufactured Homeowners Team members are in favor of a model lease but are opposed to anything that would be voluntary on behalf of park owners, Hall said.
“If it’s voluntary, that leaves us at the mercy of the park owner, who could pull the rug anytime,” he said.
Story by Razi Syed who covers city government for the Santa Maria Times. He is a graduate of Fresno State University and New York University.
Gary hall interviewed by fox 11 Monday
Structure fire at casa grande mobile home park
At least one structure was fully involved when I got to the scene shortly after noon on Friday, 21 June. Five people are dead at Casa Grande Mobile Estates after a golf course altercation turned deadly, leaving two people shot at or near the clubhouse and the shooter and one other person dead, too, after he set fire to his house. Neighbors say it was part of an ongoing feud.
Photos by Frank Cowan
Photos by Frank Cowan
bingo canceled
Bingo organizer Carol Starr tells us that, due to a lack of participation, bingo is discontinued. It had a great run here at the Ranch. Carol would like to thank Jim Testa and Carl Holmquist and all the helpers for their work.
Keith Zimmerman
I had the honor of photographing Keith for an article on a great Facebook page called On the 101. You can find it here if you are on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OnThe101/ . The website is onthe101.com/ You can also sign up for their newsletter. Look for the great profile on Keith soon.
Root repair and asphalt work at the ranch
Workers from GPM Pavement Management company are busy at the Ranch repairing damage to parking and other areas caused by those pesky tree roots. A worker told me they have four areas that need work.
Photos by Frank Cowan
Photos by Frank Cowan
Ducks in the canal
Thanks to Cynthia Morr we have a photo of what may be our semi-resident, visiting ducks in the canal.
a paparazzi gets a shot of local golfers
Mr. and ms. duck visit!
Most every spring a pair of ducks land and explore the golf course. This morning, 25 March, they were spotted checking out one of the fairways. They might be back for a while. Stay tuned.
Another storm
Another pretty good winter storm hit the central coast today, Thursday, 21 February. From the safety of our porch we got a couple of photos of the hail. Surreal.
Storm damage
Once again, the Ranch was fortunate to not suffer much damage from a very strong storm the end of January and beginning of February. We hope your home did well. Ours continues to suffer the leak at the point the garage joins the house. Several attempts by roofers have failed so far.
Photo taken 2 February
Community Emergency Response Teams
You may have noticed a whole bunch of cars at the clubhouse and a sign that said "CERT Training." This is an important program where instructors train residents in many aspects of responses to a local emergency. We stopped by Saturday, 26 January and took a few photos.
2018 Bake Sale and Craft Show
Great bakers and artisans of all kinds presented their wares at the clubhouse Saturday, 17 November for the annual event. Photos by Becki and Frank Cowan.
Smokey Sunset
Submitted by Jerry Carpe on 30 July. The haze is from the fires up north.
4th of July, 2018
"Another great 4th of July celebration in the RBV clubhouse. While outside the fireworks were exploding, inside the residents were eating, drinking and making their own noise!
A loud boom of a THANK YOU to all who volunteered their time and energy to make this a well attended huge success!" JR
A loud boom of a THANK YOU to all who volunteered their time and energy to make this a well attended huge success!" JR
Pease note: this is not a "letter to the editor." We don't publish those. It is, however, some notes send along from a resident who attended the meeting Saturday, 2 June: "At the end of the meeting, the chief handed those attending a paper form which also had a link on-line. For those not into paper forms this is where it is located. I highly recommend everyone fill it out. There are areas for comments, questions, keeping informed.
https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/city-government/departments/city-manager/priorities
The Web page looks like this. Simply click on the top line that is underlined (as a link) and we will be off like a herd of turtles in a cloud of peanut butter.
https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/city-government/departments/city-manager/priorities
The Web page looks like this. Simply click on the top line that is underlined (as a link) and we will be off like a herd of turtles in a cloud of peanut butter.
There will be council meetings June 5 and 19. Either the first meeting or the second meeting will discuss and probably vote on the fire department’s need to make permanent the current ¼ of one cent sales tax to keep all five fire stations open and operating. I couldn’t find any tentative agenda info on-line.
P.S.: The Fire Chief and his department cannot help us with the insane illegal fireworks being set off all year long, not to mention the July 4th week. He told us that each of the five fire stations has a total of three (yes, 3) people working a 24-hour shift. There are ~52 people working within the fire department, which means 45 of them are fire responders. Not good."
P.S.: The Fire Chief and his department cannot help us with the insane illegal fireworks being set off all year long, not to mention the July 4th week. He told us that each of the five fire stations has a total of three (yes, 3) people working a 24-hour shift. There are ~52 people working within the fire department, which means 45 of them are fire responders. Not good."
Cinco de Mayo Dinner
Gas Leak
You may have noticed a lot of activity today (Monday, 2 April) on Vista Promesa, just northwest of Avenida Redondo. Apparently there was a gas line break or leak. City crews, contractors and firefighters were on hand quickly. A half dozen residents were evacuated as a precaution.
This just in....a congregation, heronry, skewer, scattering, sedge or seige of herons or egrets has invaded the golf course. The crows/blackbirds are not happy about it. If you get a chance, take a look.
The Ducks Are Back
Thanks to the sharp ears and eyes of Becki Cowan, we noticed our annual feathered visitors are back. These two were spotted in the morning of 21 March, just one after the calendar beginning of spring. Welcome duck friends.
Patti Lockhart and the Ranch Honored for Gathering 184 Toys for Toys for Tots
Text by Patti Lockhart. Photos by Frank Cowan.
December 19th, 2017, Santa's elves came to the clubhouse in the guise of the U.S. Marines to collect 184 toys from Rancho Buena Vista.
December 19th, 2017, Santa's elves came to the clubhouse in the guise of the U.S. Marines to collect 184 toys from Rancho Buena Vista.
Thank you to all the residents who gifted 36 toys. Barry McGee, RBV owner donated $350, our HOA $250 and other residents gave $50 to shop for new toys. We thank them for their generosity.
Santa Maria Walgreen's management, Rebecca, John and Gail, offered their toys at "buy one get one free." We also thank them for their community service, kindness and giving spirit.
It was another banner year of Toys for Tots gifts to the needy children of our City. Congratulations RBV Residents!
Patti Lockhart, chairperson
It was another banner year of Toys for Tots gifts to the needy children of our City. Congratulations RBV Residents!
Patti Lockhart, chairperson
photos of smoke from the thomas fire at the ranch
Posted 10 December 2017
Just in case you haven't looked outside, or you are one of our out of town readers, Jerry Carpe and I both took some photos of todays' smoke invasion.
Just in case you haven't looked outside, or you are one of our out of town readers, Jerry Carpe and I both took some photos of todays' smoke invasion.
Photos by Jerry Carpe
Photo by Frank Cowan (below)