The Citizens for Responsible Open Space website will be undergoing changes. The information presented here will remain archived at voteforthecoast.org. When the site is updated you can reach the new information at CitizensForResponsibleOpenSpace.org

The Lawsuit

Citizens for Responsible Open Space has joined Californians for Property Rights (CPR), a local grassroots non profit, in filing a validation suit because of LAFCo's irregularities in the petition action.

The MROSD annexation is proceeding, but has been challenged by this new lawsuit that seeks to obtain a vote by the affected registered voters of the San Mateo County coast.

Judge Forcum in reviewing the petition protests, stated that 1757 petitions or 34% were not validated and that raised a red flag for him.

Judge Holm also indicated that a proper remedy to this issue would be a validation lawsuit in accordance with the Code of Civil Procedures.

The most recent updates will be on the Californians for Property Rights website. CPR is an educational, non-profit corporation to whom donations are tax deductible.

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Thanks for your help

Thanks everyone. We gave it a try. Of the 5344 signatures collected, preliminary information shows that around 3500 signatures were finally validated. (Around 4000 were needed.) The validation process was confusing, with rules changing midcount. We will keep you informed. Check back!

A big thanks to those who signed the petition. We also appreciate those who stopped by to discuss the issues and read our handouts, whether you signed or not.

We turned in 5344 signed petitions at the LAFCo meeting on June 11. But we do not know how many people signed "withdrawal of signature" forms.

Sign. Decline to sign. Protest. Withdraw. Yes, it was confusing!

Due to our final day to turn in petitions (June 11) being an official day of mourning, post offices were closed. We were told that we could gather signatures Saturday June 12, 2004, as long as they were received by mail in the LAFCo offices on Monday. With this extension of time we continued to gather signatures, as did the "withdrawal" people.

We had assumed that the LAFCo board would be at the "hearing". They weren't. We had also requested an election official be present to take direct custody of the petitions. Instead, petitions were transferred to an elections office lockbox for transport to Redwood City by a sheriff's officer. (We have been assured that there will be a "chain of custody" and they will be handed over to the election officials.)

Your signature on this petition requested your right to vote on the annexation in November. If just over 4000 of the signatures are valid and have not been "withdrawn" by signing the withdrawal form circulatd by COSA, a vote will occur on an issue that will impact us, our local agencies, and our tax burden forever. If fewer than 4000 of the signatures are valid, we will not get to vote.

This site will be updated as new information is available. Stay informed.

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