How ironic that this years Crooked River Ranch Independence Day Parade Theme is “AN ALL AMERICAN BLAST”, which typically describes an annual event aiming to evoke a sense of American patriotism and community spirit.

While promoting-celebrating FREEDOM via Parades, BBQ’s and Fireworks, the Ranch Board of Directors and Ranch Manager Judy Lapora have gone out of their way to declare WAR on the First Amendment. Free Speech, Freedom of the Press and Due Process Rights are under attack and their current weapon of choice: RESOLUTIONS.

As previously reported, certain current and former Ranch Officials have been engaged in an on- going campaign to disrupt, discredit, obstruct, harass and silence not only our News Service, but anybody that questions the Board’s actions and/or conduct.

At our last Board of Directors Meeting held on June 23rd, Ranch President Kari Vickery, rather duplicitously, glossed over some sneaky revisions inserted into their earlier suspect Resolutions, further restricting homeowners rights.

GESTURES?

One of the Board’s revisions is both confusing and childish. They added the following revision to their “HARASSMENT & INTIMIDATION” Policy: “Using egregiously offensive language or GESTURES towards any Director, Officer, Committee Member, Member, agent, or employees of the Association.”

Ranch Director Kelly Davis parroted Vickery: “Flipping somebody off” and later added, “Like you’re going to kill somebody or hurt somebody” while drawing his hand across his throat in a slicing manner.

“In Oregon, flipping the bird (sticking up the middle finger) is generally considered a form of protected speech.”

The discussion descended into outright hostility on the part of the Ranch Directors as homeowners pushed for answers and motives behind the GESTURE revision.

Ranch Matters/John Stevens pointed out that the subject Resolutions are punitive, retaliatory and designed to specifically silence our Investigative News Service.

Director Kelly Davis

commented: “YOU HARASS US” and repeated it.

President Vickery started loudly pounding her GAVEL, her SCEPTER of authority and demanded that I “relinquish the floor” while trying to respond to Director Davis’s false accusation of harassment.

Manager Lapora weighed in: “John, how many years have you posted LIES.” I asked Lapora for examples-facts, but she didn’t provide any. She only repeated her mantra of lies.

Vickery continued loudly pounding her GAVEL demanding I leave and I left to avoid her from breaking the table.

Vickery used her GAVEL to silence and shame RM while RM attempted to defend its character and reputations.

After I left, Vickery told another homeowner to stop sharing RM articles to MADRAS AND METOLIUS FACEBOOK PAGES.

The Fourth of July commemorates the spirit of freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, as well as, a reminder that FREEDOM cannot be taken for granted.

249 years ago, the American colonist had their belly full of King George and his draconian ways. As the colonist became aware of his plans to further restrict their freedoms they fought back. George declared the colonist “in a state of open and avowed rebellion and the Revolution kicked into high gear.

Last month, RM observed many CRR residents actively participating and exercising their First Amendment Rights at the “NO KINGS” rally in downtown Redmond.

They were singing,

chanting and drumming while carrying signs reflecting their frustrations. Some examples:

“QUESTION AUTHORITARIANISM”, “STAND FOR DEMOCRACY”, “COMPASSION NOT OPPRESSION”, “NO KINGS SINCE 1776”, “NO KINGS” and “I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG-NOT A DICTATOR”.

Ironically, while exercising their First Amendment Rights in Redmond, those very RIGHTS are under attack in their own/our backyard-Crooked River Ranch by QUEEN VICKERY and her Royal Court of Gestures-Directors.

HAPPY 4th!

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RANCH MATTERS CRR, LLC