Bonita Resident Sends Supervisor Aguirre a Formal Notice of Violation and Demand for Enforcement
- Guest
- Dec 5
- 7 min read
The following letter was emailed to Supervisor Paloma Aguirre, San Diego County District and her Chief of Staff, Paul Worlie.
Subject: Request for County Enforcement of Deed Covenants and State Law to Protect Rohr Park Equestrian Arena, Bonita
Dear Supervisor Aguirre, and Chief of Staff Worlie,
I have been a homeowner in Bonita for over twenty years and a long-time user of the Rohr Park equestrian arena located at 4548 Sweetwater Road, Bonita, California. I am writing to formally request your direct involvement and oversight regarding actions by the City of Chula Vista that threaten to eliminate the only public, full-sized equestrian arena serving the Bonita community.
This land was originally County land and was quitclaimed to the City of Chula Vista under a Deed Covenant that states:
“…the property shall forever be operated exclusively for public park, amusement or recreational purposes for the benefit and use of all residents of the County of San Diego…”
The Deed further grants the County the right to reenter and repossess the property if this Covenant is violated.
Documented Record of Privatization and Denial of Access
I am not making speculative claims. I maintain documented, time-stamped records including photographs, video recordings, public records responses, and correspondence.
From April 17, 2023 through November 18, 2024, the Rohr Park equestrian arena was physically locked and functionally privatized. Access was restricted to members of a private organization despite the property being public park land subject to a County deed covenant requiring access for all residents of San Diego County.
During this period, I experienced four separate law enforcement encounters from Chula Vista Police where I was told I was trespassing solely because I was “not a member of the club.” I was trespassed and threatened with arrest for using the facility or stepping into the dirt parking lot and warned that my horse could be seized if I failed to provide identification. (July 2, 2024 | July 4, 2024 | Oct 6, 2024 | Oct 28, 2024)
These incidents did not involve disorderly conduct, vandalism, or criminal activity. The cited basis for denial of access was membership status in a private organization.
I possess video recordings, photographs, police documentation, written correspondence, and public records substantiating these events. The city of Chula Vista continues to deny access to these records of the Police body worn cameras for over a year of my requesting despite the fact that I am allowed these records.
The County deserves to know:
The facility was not maintained by the City to deed standards
The arena was locked and restricted for approximately 19 months
Lawful public access was discouraged through threats of arrest
Signs stating “PRIVATE,” “NOT FOR PUBLIC USE,” “MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED," "NO TURNOUTS," were posted by Sunnyside Saddle Club
These actions directly conflict with the Deed Covenant and California law, Facility Use Agreement and the CV municipal code 2.66.010 among others.
These are documented facts, not opinions.
Even though the Oct 18, 2023 "Facility Use Agreement" between Sunnyside Saddle Club and the City stated: "no exclusive possession thereof" the locking was permitted to continue.
County Correspondence Confirming Closure of Public Riding Facilities
San Diego County records and correspondence confirm that public riding access was also restricted at the County-operated Dianne Jacob Lakeside Equestrian Park (DJLEP) during the same general time period that Rohr Park’s equestrian arena was locked.
On September 12, 2024, a concerned equestrian wrote to County officials, including:
Sean Hill, Chief of Operations – East
Josh Bugiel
Jason Hemmens
Brian Albright
In that correspondence, the author raised specific concerns that:
The primary purpose of the facility was equestrian use
The arena footing was repeatedly removed for concerts
Non-equestrian events were degrading the usability of the arena
No experienced equestrian appeared to be involved in operational decisions
In response, County official Sean Hill acknowledged in writing:
“The facility has not been available for open riding for some time.”
The public “should have access” to the riding facilities
The County was “closely monitoring” operations
These admissions are contained in County records.
These written acknowledgements confirm that public riding access was restricted at the County level while the only public equestrian arena in Bonita was also locked.
The effect of these simultaneous closures was to eliminate any safe public full-sized equestrian arena in the region for ordinary residents.
The result was practical and harmful, regardless of intent.
Unauthorized Surveillance and Recording
I also document conduct that raises serious privacy and civil liberties concerns.
From approximately December 2024 through July 30, 2025, private remote cameras were installed and operated by SSC Licensee Richelle Farley president of Sunnyside Saddle Club, in the public park facility.
A sworn court statement documents that these cameras were placed to specifically monitor and record me but also picked up and recorded other unsuspecting park visitors in the area.
These cameras had video and audio recording capability. No notification that audio monitoring was occurring, and I did not consent.
Despite repeated written notices to the City of Chula Vista, these devices remained in place for months.
The existence of private surveillance equipment operating in a public park, recording and documenting audio of individuals, raises serious constitutional and statutory concerns, including potential violations of California’s two-party consent recording laws.
Again, I am not making rhetorical allegations. I am documenting recorded, sworn, and time-stamped facts that warrant independent investigation.
Recorded Conversation With City Parks Director
On November 22, 2025, I had a recorded, on-site conversation with Frank Carson, Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Chula Vista, regarding Chula Vista's stated plans to remove the equestrian arena as part of their Master Plan. The arena is proposed to be replaced with a soccer field, of which there are over 85 multi-use fields in Chula Vista. There is one full sized Public equestrian arena in this area that serves Bonita.
During this recorded conversation, Mr. Carson confirmed:
He is aware of the Deed Covenant
The City has not obtained authorization from San Diego County to remove the equestrian facility
The proposed removal is being discussed without County approval as part of City-led “planning”
This raises serious legal and public oversight concerns.
California Public Resources Code Violations
In addition to the Deed protections, California Public Resources Code §§ 5400–5409 prohibits the removal of existing public park land and facilities unless like facilities and equivalent replacement lands are provided to the same population in the same general area.
No such replacement facility has been proposed.
From April 2023 through November 2024, the arena was locked and functionally privatized by Sunnyside Saddle Club, with City knowledge and permission, during which multiple members of the public were blocked from accessing this facility, including myself, who was also detained, trespassed, threatened with arrest for attempting to use a public park. I was threatened to have my horse taken by animal control if I did not ID myself.
Although I was told this matter was still in draft planning, I observed a banner on November 23, 2024 stating “Final Plan Update” with November 20 listed as the final date.
This creates the appearance that decisions were being finalized while public concerns were still actively being raised.
Regional Pattern of Restricted Public Equestrian Access
I respectfully request County review of a broader regional pattern involving overlapping individuals, facilities, and decision-makers connected to public equestrian resources.
According to the County’s April 3, 2023 Source Selection Committee Report for the Dianne Jacob Lakeside Equestrian Park (DJLEP), the County approved lease negotiations with Sara Alfaro.
County correspondence acknowledges:
Public open riding “has not been available for some time”
Public access has been restricted
Non-equestrian events have compromised arena usability
County records further document that Ms. Alfaro resides at and operates in connection with Mount Miguel Equestrian Center, a private boarding and training facility in Bonita.
That same facility is associated with:
Judy Tieber, Vice-President of the Sweetwater Valley Civic Association and a member of the County’s Sweetwater Community Planning Group
Members of Sunnyside Saddle Club, including its president, Richelle Farley, who was directly involved in restricting access to Rohr Park and initiating police responses. Both reside in Chula Vista.
I am not asserting illegal conduct. However, the documented overlap of individuals, facilities, and timelines presents a serious public trust issue and warrants independent County review for transparency and ethics compliance.
Additionally, the closure of public riding at DJLEP occurred during the same period that Rohr Park’s arena was locked, leaving no safe public full-sized enclosed arena available for County residents to properly maintain, turn out, enjoy and condition horses.
The effect was practical and harmful, regardless of intent.
Formal Requests
I respectfully request that San Diego County:
1. Enforce the Deed Covenant provisions governing Rohr Park
2. Require the City of Chula Vista to demonstrate legal compliance prior to any removal of the equestrian arena
3. Prevent elimination of the facility absent County approval and lawful replacement
4. Uphold the County’s duty to rural equestrian communities and all residentsIf San Diego County cannot get Chula Vista to follow the Deeds, Covenants and Ca. State codes, then repossessing of the property is requested.
I am a private individual and do not represent any club or organization.
I formally insist adherence to the conditions of the original Deed requiring that this land remain forever a public park for the benefit of all County residents.
Failure to correct these violations may require pursuit of available legal remedies, including injunctive relief.
Please provide a written response within five (5) business days.
Respectfully,
Stacy Jett
Bonita, California
If desired, I can share photos, documents, and videos.
Please just ask if you need or would like to see specific documentation.
I am enclosing a few helpful links:
Chula Vista Municipal code: https://chulavista.municipal.codes/CVMC/2.66.010
County letters, showing confirmation/acknowledgement of closed riding:
Preservation of Public Parks codes:
Dianne Jacobs Lakeside Equestrian Park/Sara Alfaro
Stacy Jett | December 4, 2025
EDITOR'S NOTE: Ms. Jett had requested a response within five days. When the time limit passed with no reply, she contacted the Supervisor's office. She was then informed that Supervisor Aguirre was in Japan.
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