For background information on this story, read  the Locke property dispute Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3   In December 2011 the Locke Management Association (LMA), a 13-member board of directors, increased all Locke building owners’ monthly assessments by 20 percent, in order to cover their projected ongoing 2012 lawsuit costs against Martha Esch for her purchase of a Locke commercial-residential combination use property in March 2011. Esch said, “The only reason we’ve seen yet for their lawsuit is the signed statement LMA made in a letter to the seller’s attorney that said they had to notify ‘400 Chinese ancestors of their priority to purchase the Locke property.’ And since I don’t fit LMA

Read "Locke property dispute (part 1)" here. This is my reply to the long response of another of my neighbors in Locke to "Locke property dispute (part 2)" RLM: It was with great interest that I read this. Esch: Glad to have your interest, Ronnie.   RLM: I have never publicly spoken on this matter, neither verbally nor in print--not even anonymously. Esch: According to my friend Jacquie and her friend, who visited me a couple weeks ago, you had quite a lot to say to them about it.   RLM: However, I must dispute some of the claims made. Firstly: There are two separate issues here 1" the manner in which the building at 1265 Levee was acquired by Ms. Esch and 2) the zoning of this propert

Continued from "Locke property dispute (part 1)" There was a second response – a very lengthy one - to my first article from an anonymous person posting under the name, “Locked.” I suspect “Locked” is one of my neighbors and a board member of LMA Locke Management Association, the public agency which has filed a lawsuit against me to take my property. Locked’s writing style is recognizable, accusatory, with no factual basis. Original article (part 1) is found here: http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/56717/Locke_property_dispute_part_1 I’ll take Locked’s questions and comments one by one... Locked: Who's throwing stones? Esch: LMA board threw the first stones at me when they sent me a

A Watercolors and Hiking event will be held in Locke, Calif. on Thursday, September 15, 2011 starting at 10:00 a.m. The hike will be led by Martha Esch. Bring the kids and the grandparents; everyone is welcome!  Well-behaved dogs on leashes, okay. This is a mostly level 1.5 mile hike apart from one 20 foot long, somewhat steep, narrow path up a levee hill and some optional off-path routes along the way that are prickly and narrow. Locke artist and art teacher, Martha Esch, will demonstrate easy techniques to painting a quick, lovely, loose watercolor postcard of scenic spots along the hike. Next, participants will begin using watercolor kits, blank postcards and brushes that will be pas

Public Agency Lawsuit to Seize $21,000 Home from Rightful Purchaser near Sacramento, California... In the rustic, antique wood-built town of Locke, California, founded from 1912 to 1920s, the Locke Management Association (LMA), a thirteen (13) member board put in place in 2003 to maintain, preserve and manage the town is prioritizing its limited $60,000 operating budget to attempt to undo a recent property purchase that occurred. The buyer, Martha Esch, struck a deal to purchase one of the town’s dilapidated properties with seller, Dona LaBlanc for a $21,000 purchase price. The LMA claims both women circumvented the agency’s rules in order to complete the sale. The property was previously