Letter to the Editor . . .

On a random Saturday in June of 2011 I rode my motorcycle down Lockwood Valley Rd coming from Ojai as I had done many times throughout my life. This particular day I decided to take a left turn instead of the normal right turn. That sudden change in direction brought me here to our amazing community of PMC.

I'll never forget my first thoughts approaching the village and golf course at the corner of Mil Potrero and Freeman Dr. What an amazing place that I had stumbled upon. I knew it almost immediately as a place I'd like to spend and share my life. I didn't wish to miss this opportunity for my own personal growth and change as I knew that it may be what will define me later in life. The idea that I could have lived my entire life and never known that our community here in PMC even existed is not one I would relish. Once knowing her I could never forget her.

I purchased my first home here within two months of that day, when the number of residents was at an all time low given the recession and so many vacant and abandoned homes were left on a stale market. There were few folks in the clubhouse or any of the establishments. Many doors were locked and businesses had a difficult time. There was very little to do.

What attracted me was the future knowing we would have the ability to remain on the hill full time and someday have more options. Additionally, the amenities such as golf course, clubhouse, equestrian center, campsite, catch and release pond, archery, and many wonderful trails really were not anything that I felt I might use. It was nice to know that if I ever did get off my butt and want to use them they would be there.

Last year I ran for the board and lost by a handful of votes along with my good friend Keith Nette. The community decided to move forward with those who are on it now. They made that decision last year and are dealing with the aftermath now. I have stepped back and watched, retired from the massive grind to life and work here full time, joining into the business world up here on the hill with my wife and father. Perhaps I should have kept more abreast of what is truly going on.

Almost seven years have passed since I moved here. I've "golfed" six times. I've been on a hike three times. Not once have I done more than drive into or through the equestrian center parking lot. I have found my way back to the clubhouse once James the food and beverage manager began to make changes that make sense. But most of the time I do not take full advantage of our amenities.

This morning I find myself here with a heavy heart. I'm listening to the scuttle and reading through the online parade of complaints. I see discussion about spending an atrocious amount of money without really knowing the complete impact and/or without the board offering members a choice, options, or forum to express themselves, other than a one-sided, multiple choice survey that even a monkey can follow, from a company appropriately called "survey monkey."

What bothers me is the idea of loss. I don't want to lose something that I have come to know.

Folks are discussing doing away with the amenities they don't personally use. I believe it makes more sense to better manage those amenities. They are part of what attracted us to our wonderful mountain home to begin with. Having them adds significant value to us as full time residents. Let's celebrate that we have them, manage them better, and add to what we know as our home in a peaceful way.

For those who do not want a clubhouse, or an equestrian center, or a golf course, or hiking trails, or anything that makes us who we are I ask you to move back to the places and the lifestyle that are defined by where you've come from, only if you cannot join in and take a more positive role.

In conclusion, I personally feel that we are fortunate. It is time to all be awake and ready. Believe me when I say that we all stumble upon a very special place at some point in our lives. What we choose to do with this opportunity truly will be what defines us.

​Anthony