Letter: Reader Expresses Concern With Hesperia Village Council

To The Editor:
The Village of Hesperia is currently undergoing a governmental crisis. Several council members, elected to office just in November, are derelict in performing the duties Village residents expect of them. Two trustees have missed over 70% of council meetings, and have effectively  blocked legislation needed to move Hesperia’s business district forward. The Village voted in 2018 to approve a Medical Marihuana facility. This facility would provide much needed jobs for local residents, substantial funds in the form of licensing fees for the Village, and a potentially significant increase in commerce for existing businesses.  Over five months later, they have yet to approve the Village ordinance that would allow this previously approved business to open its doors.
On February 11th, these same Village trustees voted to fire the Village’s attorney, leaving the Village vulnerable to a hostile attempt to claim ownership of two islands in the White River, built by the Village and several community organizations in the late 1950s. One of these absentee trustees, who chairs the Legal committee, has made little effort to replace the Village’s legal representative.  On at least three occasions, the same four trustees have failed to appear for scheduled Village council meetings, forcing an immediate adjournment of those meetings due to a lack of a quorum.
The Village of Hesperia has no newspaper. Several television stations have been asked to investigate, but as yet, there has been little response from them. As private citizens, we ask that you, as a local source of news, help raise the awareness of Hesperia’s residents – most of whom have no knowledge of the failure of their elected officials to act in the best interests of Hesperia – the duty they promised to assume as trustees of the Village.
The Village of Hesperia needs your help.

R. Christine Turple

Note: The Hesperia Village Council is scheduled to meet on Monday, May 20 at 7:30pm 

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