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February 9, 2011 (Deerhorn Valley) UPDATED 4:30 p.m. – Mother Grundy Truck Trail is now cleared, according Jake Fletcher, sales manager for GJ Fletcher Construction Co. of Descanso. Fletcher returned a phone message left earlier and disputed details in an alert issued earlier today by the Deerhorn Valley Antler.
He demanded that ECM "take down" the entire story based on the Antler alert. ECM advised Fletcher that his statements would be included and any inaccuracies corrected, but that the public clearly has an interest in knowing details about road closures in East County.
The Antler alert stated that Mother Grundy Truck Trail had been blocked this morning and early afternoon by a truck-trailer carrying a 90-foot modular section for GJ Fletcher. The truck reportedly became stuck at a curve before Beacon Hill Llama Farm. The Antler eported last Friday that the same road has been blocked by an incident involving GJ Fletcher Construction Co.
“This isn’t even news,” Fletcher, insisting that blockage of a road did not deserve coverage. He then threatened legal action. Told that ECM operates an emergency alert service and that a blocked road is clearly news.
Fletcher told ECM that he had prior permission to block the road today. “It was permitted by the county and state that I block off an easement road. The cops told everyone that I was in the right and they left,” he said.
Last week’s incident left elderly homeowners without power after a driver working for the construction company knocked out power lines, the Antler reported. An estimated 200-250 homes with around 500 people had access blocked for up to several hours, said Kim Hamilton with the Antler.
“The power pole was illegally installed and we are fixing that at no charge,” Fletcher said. “We’ve already dug the hole and we have a brand new pole out there that we are installing right now.”
The Antler report indicated that the couple remains without power, but that GJ Fletcher Construction has provided the owners with a generator to use a couple of hours a day to prevent spoilage. The elderly owners rely on electricity for their phone service and an electric well water pump as well, the Antler indicated.
According to the Antler, “numerous neighbors have been affected” including “damage to road surface and drainage, fences, oak trees, as well as being prevented to jobs or homes.”
Fletcher responded that easements for the privately owned road give him the right to trim trees. “I can cut any tree that I want,” he said.
He also disputed residents who have voiced concerns over having the road blocked and who have stated that the road serves as the primary evacuation route in case of wildfire or other emergency.
“We weren’t blocking the road. People he could go around,” he said.
Hamilton scoffed upon hearing that remark. "It was completely blocked for at leat two hours at the Llama Ranch bend," she said, adding that it was blocked earlier at another location in the road.
Told that a photo taken by the Deerhorn Valley Antler editor clearly showed the road completely blocked, he insisted that the photo was taken illegally and that he told the photographer not to take photos.
Asked to explain his statement that the roadway was not blocked, Fletcher said the road has a second exit. “People don’t like it because it’s more beat up. It’s more rural, but you live in a rural community,” he added.
Area residents were quick to debunk Fletcher on the alternate route.
"That other route is so steep! I've been on it one since I've lived here six or seven years ago," said Dr. Ruth Baak. "I won't go on that route because it would ruin the bottom of your car. It's a terrible, terrible road and it's not an alternative."
Hamilton concurred with Baak's assessment. While the road was blocked, she observed, "the only access is Lower Mother Grundy...if you are willing to risk your car and your safety." She described conditions on that route as ranging from "very rough to impassible" and said the detour distance is about 15 miles. She described it as "a dangerous road if you don't have a high rise vehicle or 4WD."
Baak, who owns the llama ranch, told ECM she was upset that the contractor never gave notice and then damaged her property. "He chopped one of my oak trees and that was the shade tree for the llamas," she said. "They did no preparation for any of the moves they made."
Hamilton said that other modular homes have been brought into the area since the wildfires burned homes in the vicinity--and that other contractors showed consideration for area residents. "Generally the hauler prepares the road ahead of time to make sure of the surface and take care of any obstacles," she said.
She expressed shock at Fletcher's statement claiming the blocked road wasn't news. "It would be news if you called 911 because your child was choking, or you had fallen, suffered a heart attack, etc. and medical aid couldn't get to you," she observed.
As for Fletcher's statement that he had a permit, Hamilton claimed the Sheriff told her that fletcher didn't have paperwork with him, but was reportedly sending someone back to the office for it. She said neither the Sheriff's officer nor CHP was certain of the access legalities, but that a CHP officer summoned by the Sheriff said "it's a civil matter" because the road is a private easement.
Baak criticized the condition in which her oak tree was left. "They should have put tar on it. You don't leave a tree like that with a big open gap, because of oak beetles. I'm going to have to do something with that...We tried very hard to keep our oak trees here."
The Deerhorn Valley editor has asked area residents with damage to contact the Antler at theantler@deerhornvalley.net.
Contact information for GJ Fletcher Construction is listed on the California State Contractors Licensing Bureau website as follows:
G J FLETCHER CONSTRUCTION INC
P O BOX 640
DESCANSO, CA 91916-0640
(619) 722-7179
An online search found a website for the company at http://www.buildamodularhome.com/http://www.buildamodularhome.com/
Comments
Good Neighbors...
The Antler Alert reported incorrectly that GJ Fletcher had provided the generator and gasoline to the elderly couple who lost power and phone when their lines were knocked down. Although Mr. Fletcher did offer the use of a generator, neighbors had already removed the electrical wires and set up a generator. The small generator was not enough to pump water, but it was enough to keep food from spoiling. On Monday there was no power installation and gas ran out. Fletcher promised to deliver a 5 gallon can of gas, but never showed. The power pole was finally delivered Monday by La Mesa Lumber, but not installed. The company's driver ("Wojo") discovered the couple was out of gas. He did what Fletcher hadn't done: he went down the hill and brought them back enough gas to get through the night. Thank you, Wojo. You provided Deerhorn Valley with another ray of kindness. As of noon today (Tuesday) the pole was up and power and phone restored. After 3 days and 4 nights, there will be some well-deserved rest for these folks.
More GJ Fletcher problems surface
I must say that I'm shocked that GJ Fletcher has the courage to show face in the Jamul/Dulzura area after the reputation he has created for himself. I too am a Harris Fire victim and am sad to say that I hired GJ Fletcher to rebuild my family's home in Dulzura. What a nightmare it turned out to be. There is also another poorly managed Fletcher project on Deerhorn Valley that went bad. Another in Dulzura, one in Ramona, etc.. I filed a complaint with the CSLB and won an award for the repairs I need to complete after GJ Fletcher quit the project. They worked on my home for over 1.5 years before they decided to quit, leaving me to fix thousands of dollars worth of repairs due to their horrible workmanship. This is just further proof of their lack of professionalism. These guys should be banned from doing business in CA. I've also made a complaint with the BBB.
Unbearable & Unconscionable
I am so saddened to hear anything like this from a fire survivor. The trauma and agony of having everything reduced to 6 inches of ash and twisted metal must have been unbearable. And when a company takes advantage of that vulnerability, it is unconscionable. My thoughts and wishes to you and your family that at some point you can move on from the damage done. There are a lot of good people in the backcountry, and with a little communication we should be able to put an end to these kinds of incidents. A good first step would be to see GJ Fletcher complete this home for the new owners honorably: on-time and with solid workmanship.
Mother Grundy bloackage
As of this morning Tuesday, the elderly couple is still without power due to the negligence of the modular home delivery contractor Fletcher.
The "new" pole was being set in place on the property at 8:15 AM so it will be a "new full day" without power to provide their basic necesities.
The galling lack of sensitivity of the Gj Fletcher Construction Company is appaling.
Lack of planning, road preparation and communication to the comunnity was clearly evident during the modules delivery.
We all have taken notice of Fletcher's work ethic and attitude towards the community.
Needs to be reported to the BBB as well as his bonding agent.
Generator help if needed
Louis,
I don't know what their water situation is but if this couple needs a generator that can run their well pump, let me know. I have an 8kw that should do the trick. I'm right down the road and wouldn't hesitate to help these folks out. ddurfee1@yahoo.com
Back Country Issues
As a fellow San Diego back country resident, I also find this situation intolerable. I strongly recommend complaints be sent to the Better Business Bureau:
http://www.bbb.org/san-diego/business-reviews/construction-and-remodelin...
Due to the actions of this employee, this company's rating should be re-evaluated by the BBB.
Sad Truth About the BBB
Reader beware: The BBB sells its listings and doesn’t check at all on the customer. If you have ever submitted a complaint, you probably already know this.
The terrorist group HAMAS received a BBB rating of A- when a blogger paid the $425. Here's how BBB defines an A-: "An excellent rating. A company with this rating may not rate higher because of a greater number of rate-lowering factors, but we do not consider them to be factors that would likely adversely affect consumer transactions."
When they were alerted to the setup, they took down the accreditation. But it does point out that they are not about consumer protection. They are a business lobby.
http://ctwatchdog.com/2010/07/19/better-business-bureau-gives-hamas-terr...
You are spot on regarding BBB
I made a complaint on GJ Fletcher Construction with many photos to back up my story and before I knew it, the case was administratively closed. He is a paying member (aka accredited). It is apparent, that when dealing with the BBB, the paying member gets the benefit of doubt. Maybe I should go back to the BBB with the findings from the CSLB.
Contractor Difficulty In Delivering Modular Home
As a fire survivor, it's always great to see someone getting a new home. In this case, I believe these are residents that are new to our community since the Harris wildfire and have been preparing their pad for the delivery of their new home which came in several sections. Because of the height of the sections being delivered, it was required that limbs from long standing and treasured oak trees along side the road, be removed. Also because of the length of the sections, and the condition of the dirt road with its many turns and narrow passages, they were unable to navigate the road in a timely fashion and putting all of our community at risk, by blocking the road several times and in several places for hours. We had workers that were late and inconvenienced because they couldn't get through and I felt Mr. Fletcher's response was insensitive and uncaring and that he felt no remorse whatsoever for all the grief he brought to so many that could not get home or leave home. I also could not believe that he would not in good faith, offer to place our elderly neighbors in a hotel with food service until their power was back on. I also felt that he was willing to put our community and its residents at risk. In going through the rebuilding process, we realize the importance of hiring subcontractors and individuals that have a good work ethic and are willing to go that extra mile to please those they are offering services to. We also have found that it is important that the person you hire evaluates all details of the project. I feel Mr. Fletcher may have served himself well, by notifying the community of his intentions and making sure that he could successfully deliver this home without destroying property, the road or upsetting a community. I hope this will be a learning curve for all of us and that it will never happen again.
You Owe Us an Apology, Mr. Fletcher
On Friday and Monday, Fletcher Construction Co. attempted to haul three 90-foot-long oversized trailer modules up a steep, winding 2-lane road that is Deerhorn Valley’s only safe access route for evacuation and medical assistance. This was beyond stupidity; it was callous disregard for the lives and safety of the families who live here. I can’t begin to understand why proper protocol and safety were not considered. Other companies have placed similar modules in the same location with little or no problem. Other companies have surveyed and prepared the road ahead of time. Evidently that was too much to ask of GJ Fletcher Construction Co. When I asked Jacob Fletcher why there had been no road preparation, he told me, “We do it as we go along… we don’t have to ask anybody.”
We are fire-survivors out here who lost nearly half our community in the 2007 Harris Fire. We didn’t get the press Rancho Bernardo did. We didn’t get the federal assistance others did, even though we suffered the greatest concentration of homes destroyed by the Harris Fire. We are so very aware that when our primary access route is blocked we can't get out--- and emergency vehicles can't get in. At time we deal with flooded dips and downed trees. But this company's actions were not an Act of God. The were the actions of a company looking to maximize its profit margin by cutting corners on safety.
Mr. Fletcher dismissively tells those trying to reach home or work to take an unmaintained dirt road as an alternate. The “alternate” he refers to is a single lane dirt road with precipitous dropoffs, gullies, and grades. Something to be avoided, not recommended, especially if you have no information on road conditions. Certainly he did not risk driving it with his equipment.
When this same company hauled the first two units on Friday night, they knocked down power and phone lines and left one elderly couple without heat, water, or phone. It was finally a neighbor, not GJ Fletcher Co, who brought the couple a generator and kept it gassed up for the next 3 days. It wasn’t powerful enough to run the water pump, but it’s keeping their food from spoiling. That’s the way neighbors do it in Deerhorn Valley. It’s common courtesy. Lessons are free.
Mr. Fletcher owes our community an apology, not an indictment. We are not intimidated by his boastful threats to take away our homes and properties… because we dared take a photograph of him-- and the damage he caused. Nor are we impressed by his crew that gave us one-fingered goodbyes after they dropped off their delivery and high-tailed it out of here.
Mr Fletcher: Have some class. Apologize. Then promise this will never happen again.
Contractor Blocks
Although I'm certainly not pleased about the situation, I am quite happy to see it being covered by East County Magazine. This is important news for anyone who lives in the back country.
As previous posters have noted, folks out here plan, educate, and take care of each other. All it takes to ruin that is an unscrupulous company out to make a buck. If GJ Fletcher finds that harsh, well, they can take their business elsewhere. Fair enough?
Road Blockage on Deerhorn Road
I’ll address the “Road blockage is not news” statement by GJ Fletcher. The rest of his statements are mostly Bogus Speculation.
You don’t tell a community that was evacuated, that has just been burned out by a wildfire where almost half of their homes, property, and animals were turned to ashes, that road blockage isn’t news. GJ FLetcher, son, spare me your pomposity.
You don’t tell our fire fighters some of whom are our neighbors, and whose greatest fear is being surrounded by fire because their only access road is blocked, that road blockage isn’t news. GJ FLetcher, son, spare me your naivate.
You don’t tell a community whose best-case response time for paramedics from Jamul is twenty minutes plus the additional time it takes to drive narrow (in places too narrow for two cars to pass) winding, rutted, pot-holed, dirt roads – That road blockage isn’t news. GJ FLetcher, son, spare me your abberrant compassion.
Rob, Deerhorn Valley
Blockage of Roads in Deerhorn Valley in Jamul
On Friday early afternoon I was heading into town down Deerhorn Valley Rd. in my own car. I was following my son, who had my young grandchildren. When we were abruptly stopped at the end of Deerhorn Valley Rd., we saw that a tractor trailer with a manufactured home was unable to negotiate the corner. A school child would have been able to make that prediction from a cursory glance at the length of the load.
I decided to look on the bright side. I commented to my son that we were only going to the beach; we were not in an ambulance or lying on the side of the road after a car crash. The gentleman who was in charge of holding up a stop sign (at least he did so intermittently for cars that can pick up speeds of 60 mph when coming down that grade) told us that they had also gotten hung up on the Honey Spgs. dip and were there for 30 mins.
When told it would take at least 45 mins. to clear, we decided to take the trek all the way down Mother Grundy Truck Trail. It took us 25 mins. to come out onto Honey Springs. It's a rough road until right before the opening onto Honey Spgs. Rd. Though it is a beautiful drive, we both hit bottom with our cars two to three times. If this is an accessible alternative, according to GJ Construction, then why didn't they take it?
When I read that witnesses (my friends and neighbors)today (Monday, Feb. 7, 2011) had to endure a belligerent attitude on top of all of these road closures, I felt I needed to comment. I realized that Jacob Fletcher of GJ Construction Co. must not realize-although being in Descanso, I can't imagine why not-that a road closure could mean that Diane (who has been without power for 3 days now) could have another stroke and not get to the hospital; or that my grandson could choke on something and instead of our DV Fire Dept. responding in 5-8 mins., they would never show up at all or at least take 20 mins. hiking up to my house. I could include numerous scenarios that could have occured.
He stated inappropriate comments about what our expectations should be living in a rural area. We know full well the implications of living far out into the country. That is why many people have worked tirelessly to plan and build a local firehouse, to etch out disaster plans, and to look out for each other. We cannot do that when the road is blocked without notice. Basically, there is one way in and one way out.
If a trucking company had scoped out the road-which would seem to be required quality control for such a business-they would have foreseen potential hangups and could have even notified residents ahead of time of a potential road closure. Instead, Mother Grundy Truck Trail is a private road, and so the CHP and Sheriff's Dept. do not have the ability to track down responsibility and accountability for these actions/inactions.
And further, I do not care where the houses were going. We all have to have goods and services brought to us out here. It's not always easy. But will someone please take responsibility for putting a whole community at risk? We are a friendly, supportive group of independent people. But, we do not accept people putting us at risk and refusing to take responsibility.
As I like to say, "It could have been worse." But who is going to pay for damages to our road that is NOT county-maintained? Who is going to STOP this from ever happening again?
Ariele Johannson Brooke
Resident of Deerhorn Valley, Jamul, CA and Mother Grundy Truck Trail.