Re posted
9-2-22 4:30PM
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6-3-21 1:23PM
TIP OF THE SMEAR
Ranch Matters has reported in earlier stories that various Ranch Officials have telegraphed their intentions to shut us up/down. They have used government entities, including the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) as part of their on-going pattern to silence Ranch Matters.
Additionally, they have spent homeowners money on private lawyers for one purpose and one purpose only, to seek criminal and or civil charges against Ranch Matters News Service and other homeowners or “minions” they view as enemies.
At the April 19, 2021, Regular Board Meeting, Ranch VP Bill Burt read a prepared statement regarding 3 (“FALSE”) complaints made to DPSST against John Stevens’ private investigators license and Ranch Matters News Service in 2020.

Burt denied any involvement and stated the complaints in question were made by “individuals, and in no way were Ranch Management or the Homeowners Board a party to the complaints.” Burt added, “The individuals who made the complaints, were PRESENT or PAST DIRECTORS, but were not representing the BOD or Ranch Management. The DIRECTORS were acting solely as individuals.”
DOUBLE SPEAK?
Burt appears to be the Board’s tip of the SMEAR. He read from another prepared (defamatory) statement at the January 19, 2020, Regular Board Meeting attacking Ranch Matters News Service and other homeowners/businesses.
Burt stated, “…the Board sought legal advice about social media comments regarding Directors and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s involvement.”
LEGAL ADVICE AND THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE?
VP Burt proceeded to confirm a (Special) meeting between the Sheriff, an unnamed Deschutes lawyer and several Ranch Directors. He stated, “At one point in the past, there was a meeting between the Sheriff, Deschutes County attorney and several Directors.”
Burt said, “One reason for the above meeting, was to research whether members attending Board meetings, could be held responsible for their comments. One of those instances, included HATE SPEECH.”
*UPDATE:
Ranch Matters confirmed this Special Meeting was indeed held and where. According to a reliable source, the meeting took place at attorney Steve Bryant’s Office in Redmond Oregon and was attended by Ranch VP Bill Burt and Director Mark Schneider to name a few. The source additionally confirmed the Ranch Directors objective focused on how to stop Ranch Matters News Service and other homeowners civilly and or criminally.
