Don't Blame the Whistleblowers

Author: Rob Whittemore

Date: April 3, 2023

In his recent RSF Post article, Director Phil Trubey blamed me, in part, for taking action against what he calls “alleged” RSFA improprieties. I’d like to set the record straight.  

The golf course renovation project required 78,000 cubic yards of grading. As all the Decision Makers at the RSFA knew, a permit was required for projects of 200 cubic yards or more. But the RSFA Decision Makers began to plow up the golf course without a permit. Bill Strong, who was an RSFA Director at the time, attempted to discover the goings-on but was sandbagged time and again. Over a two-year period, Mr. Strong was denied requested documents repeatedly, and then shorn of his RSFA three committee memberships and his vice presidency. Tada! Take that ye whistleblower! But the deceiving clowns thrive on their skullduggery and seek to hide from inquiring Directors.  

In August 2021, the Decision Makers were served a formal STOP WORK ORDER highlighted in giant red lettering. Do they stop? No. Why stop now? Are they verbally challenged, and fail to comprehend the meaning of “STOP?” (Watch out if you are driving in their neighborhood!) Instead, they continued the plowing, onward and deeper creating noxious lime-filled clouds of dust as they insisted on disregarding the laws. “Laws don’t apply to us.”  

Rules for Me Not for Thee  

A month later, in September 2021, an Administrative Notice was served threatening potential significant civil penalties (up to $50,000 per violation per year and "referral to the District Attorney’s Office for Criminal Prosecution." Did they stop? No. They continued plowing until over 50,000 cubic yards had been graded, working on Sundays, plowing noisily and noisomely, after and before permitted hours.   

These individuals appear to be quantitatively challenged as well. A further decision was made to remove 60-80 trees when only six had been approved for removal by the Art Jury. A zero here, a zero there -- who’s counting?  

Finally, County officials do stop this unsanctioned band of Decision Makers. And who are these Decision Makers? They are our elected leaders, intent on leading us backwards toward an uncivil society. Any remorse? No. Any accountability? Not yet. Instead, they continue to hide and lie about their intentional deceptions. And now they have the brazenness to blame Mr. Strong for what has gone wrong. The offending Directors proclaim, "wrong that was is right, and right now is wrong.” And at this moment they have the effrontery to claim that their added expenses are caused by Messrs. Strong and Whittemore. But it is self-evident that if the offending Directors and other responsible parties had followed the law in the first place there would be no lawsuits, no outrage, no unpleasant member input.  

Worse, their hypocritical behavior portends more trouble. Does anyone in Rancho Santa Fe need a permit from the Association for anything anymore? Not if one follows the example set by the Decision Makers. Forget the Protective Covenant. Forget the Regulatory Code. Forget the Residential Design Guidelines. Forget the law! But the Membership cannot let the sins of a few destroy the probity of the many. And we must insist on a civil society, one of laws that we have agreed upon to foster peace. 

Pay Attention

Throughout this ordeal, what has become apparent is that the general Membership of the Association must pay far closer attention to elections. Ask penetrating questions of candidates, ask for references, check them. Elect worthy Directors. Kick bad apples out. 

As an additional thought, please do not think that a negative broad brush is being applied to all Directors, or all golf club members.  It is noted that not all the elected individuals were part of this hapless band of entitled Decision Makers; And if you recognize that you were not, please do not take offense.   

Hypocrisy does not create a moral high ground.  And whistleblowers are seldom the guilty party.  How can we expect our national leadership to be transparent, honorable and to fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities if local leadership, including the leadership of the RSFA, doesn't meet those standards?  

Mr. Whittemore is an RSF resident and former Art Jury President.