In the season finale of Paramount’s 1923, the Duttons are in a war to save their 250,000-acre ranch from the unscrupulous (and sadomasochistic) Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton) in a David and Goliath saga where the greedy developer imagines skiers instead of cattle. Viewers anxiously wrung their hands throughout each episode as the land-hungry Whitfield gathered a band of thugs to burn out the Duttons in the final showdown shootout at Yellowstone ranch.
Of Showdowns and Shakedowns
Over the past two years, we’ve been engaged in our own Ranch war of sorts. But instead of saving 250,000 acres from gate barbarians, it’s about protecting a mere 25 acres of sacred open space from those within our ranks. Who needs a creepy Gollum mouth-spittling about “my precious” when we’ve got Board directors salivating over OUR Osuna Ranch, both stealthily and, at times, with shameless impudence, trying to wrestle it away from the members who paid for it.
Indeed, when the RSF Post relaunched, we published a piece about the history and benefits of Osuna in order to raise awareness and garner support in preparation for any future RSFA Board shenanigans, like trying to sell it from under the membership. At the time, the Post was accused of histrionic pearl-clutching, because how dare we publish such fiction so recklessly without merit. It was like Wuhan 2.0. But here we are, believing our lying eyes, because the Board’s campaign to sell Osuna is in full swing.
Osuna Sale Consigliere
The latest missive from President Courtney Le Beau insults the membership’s intelligence in its low-key reference to an unnamed Director’s “new idea” of selling off parts of Osuna to a “qualified third party.” Come on, man, really? You can’t even call this “proposal” an open secret, it’s been rubbed in our face so brazenly. It should have an eponymous label slapped on it, as Board Treasurer Phil Trubey hasn’t been able to help himself from publicly making the rounds as the chief Osuna sale consigliere, supposedly with a deal and a buyer already in the bag. Main-Character-syndrome-suffering Meghan Markle (whoops, I mean, Sussex) has mustered more humility. It’s just impossibly distasteful at best, derelict at worst.
Fantasy Land Laughable
Anyone shocked by such Machiavellian machinations is still hunkered down in a Covid bunker panic-buying bulk Charmin online. Those paying any attention know this board’s MO by now, and a member-wide vote and community buy-in, even on the sale of historic open-space with millions at stake, is as fantasyland laughable as space cadet Katy Perry’s astronautic ambitions. Trubey may profess in his latest “occasional email” otherwise, but we’ll believe this Board’s Davis-Stirling democratic integrity when we see it. Please prove us wrong. A reminder that this is the same Board that scoffs at and stonewalls petitions and repeated member complaints, unless, of course, a resident is so fed up at being deliberately ignored or misinformed, they threaten to sue or actually file. How sad that this is pretty much the only recourse one can take to get Board directors to stop abusing their position.
A Bullet Point Breakdown Thus Far:
- At the end of the recent April Board meeting, Director/Treasurer Trubey made a motion to have staff “study” sending out a member survey about selling Osuna Ranch. Like the member survey the Association conducted in 2022? Because neighbors already spoke their mind. Rural ambiance and low-density preservation were among our top priorities. Since Osuna was not on the agenda this April, there was no notice. The community was unaware this would be discussed (again) to give members an opportunity to provide input. This Board’s been dancing around HOA laws so long, their attorney deserves choreography credit.
- Later that day after the April Board meeting, Trubey inappropriately sent out a personal member-wide email, ironically entitled “Maximizing Osuna’s Potential,” where he proceeded from his role as “ex-equestrian barn owner” to basically trash-talk the property and advocate binning most of it, sans Adobe, for a quick buck that can go toward things that “the membership” wants. He claims the equestrian facility is “woefully under capitalized, underutilized…and run down.” That’s fake news to those in the know, as Osuna Ranch operates at a profit, and more than pays for itself, in spite of being deprived of proper funding, and not allowing the Board-appointed committee appropriate independence and input. (Nothing says “we value you” like cutting a committee’s monthly coffee budget. Yes, this Board actually did that.)
- Osuna Committee members say they’ve got sizable donations in the wings to kick off Osuna’s master plan once it is designated as a non-profit 501c(3). However some suspect the Association is directing lawyers to limit the non-profit designation to only the Adobe in anticipation of selling off the surrounding 20 acres for a measly $10 million — that’s $500k an acre, people — and a steep discount (read firesale) from when we purchased the land for $12 million in 2006. What special kind of mug do they take us for, expecting to hook, line, and sinker that pristine land like Osuna has depreciated in 10 years? Is there already a buyer at the ready, and, if so, who? What? No competitive bid? Will this be an Osuna Redux Special, ie., where the land is bought on the cheap, fixed up, and sold at a whopping profit in short order? So many questions, so few answers.
- Is Trubey seriously suggesting one of the wealthiest HOAs in the nation can’t afford multiple member amenities? There is no reason for any member to oppose the preservation of what the RSFA’s own website states is “the Ranch,” in its entirety, including the 25 acres of land — not just the Adobe, as Trubey implies the house is the only historic part worth saving. With all the air-kissed permanence of a Beverly Hills pre-nup (and marriage), Trubey assures members that if sold, the Board would impose a deed restriction for the 20 acres to never allow residential homes. This would be amusing, if it weren’t so misguided. It’s possible a landowner can get deed restrictions lifted through a legal proceeding. In this housing climate, the flat equestrian land could quickly become another overdeveloped subdivision with eight 10,000 square foot homes — each with an ADU. A helluva banging profit for one lucky buyer indeed.
As the economy is experiencing a serious course correction, most will agree that tangible hard assets are golden (literally). It begs the question and beggars belief why this Board would sell off an appreciating and stable member asset. Short sighted is the kindest (and least profane) descriptive one could apply here.
Deprivation, Speculation, and Grit
The Association relocated off site this year’s popular annual Osuna Farm-to-Table dinner, seemingly depriving members from experiencing the beauty and multi-faceted nature of this property whose significance and future extends far beyond the equestrian facility. The RSFA is unwilling to specify what Osuna’s potential sale proceeds will be used for; and a move like this only fuels divisions and speculation about who the main beneficiaries will be.
The RSFA owns five large parcels, only three of which are true open-space properties: Osuna, Arroyo, and the Ewing Preserve. Once open space is developed, it can never be reclaimed. It’s gone forever. The RSFA is an exceedingly rich HOA. Why would it sell an asset that can never be replaced when cash is not an issue?
After several years pushing back on the relentless efforts to sell off Osuna, many residents are feeling stalwart matriarch Cara Dutton’s frustration and weariness at the continual fight for our precious open space. We feel you, Cara. But we pray that grit and doing what’s right prevail. Because it will always be about preserving the land. Who knew it would be our very own Board gaslighting and shaking us down to let it go.
Come visit Osuna Ranch this Sunday (April 27) from 2-4 pm, with guided tours at 1:30 and 3:30 pm. Click here for more information.
If you would like to get involved in protecting Osuna, please see the corresponding letter to the editor by Annie Finch who lists her contact information.