Dorst Defames the Grimes'
Welcome to today’s vicious world of politics.
Winston Churchill stated it best when he said: 
“ You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.”
As background: Both my own, along with my wife’s character and reputation in this community were seriously defamed in an October 2006 correspondence authored and distributed initially to the Ramona equestrian community by Cynthia Dorst who lives on Garjan Lane, Ramona.
While it is all too commonplace for candidates and their families to fall victim to vicious, unfounded personal attacks - particularly at election time, the vigor of the malicious and hateful statements made in Cynthia Dorst’s communication have set a new low in local politics.
This character assassination so bothered a neighbor - Richard “Dick” Borman residing on Chablis Road, that he authored an unsolicited letter (below) refuting every element included in Cynthia Dorst’s defamatory correspondence. Furthermore, he stresses his willingness to speak with anyone in the community regarding the false allegations made by Cynthia Dorst. He’s lived in the Ramona area for years and is conveniently listed in the Ramona phone book.
Other outraged and dismayed neighbors have already refuted and forwarded on Cynthia Dorst’s false accusations with comments, and are urging their friends to vote for me not only a highly qualified and ethical candidate but to also fully reject Cynthia Dorst’s malicious defamation of both myself and my wife.
For those of you who didn’t promptly delete Cynthia Dorst’s defamatory correspondence upon receipt, I encourage you to carefully read Dick Borman’s detailed letter below and discuss with him, any further questions you have regarding Dorst’s false allegations or any remaining questions about personal or community character.
A Request: If you forwarded-on Cynthia Dorst’s message last month, please send on Mr. Borman’s counterpoint to your distribution or at least point them to this website’s address http://grimesdenis.com . Fair’s fair. By-the-way, one of my favorite sayings is “Given enough time, the truth always comes out.”
Mr. Borman is also concerned that Cynthia Dorst’s unfounded accusations and allegations may mislead voters who assume her statements are true. Fortunately Mr. Borman and others have the strength of character to speak out in the best interests of the community. You can never fully undo defamation – that’s why it’s so insidious and despicable.
So what-do-you-think??? What’s this all about?!?! In a “nut shell” we attribute this personal attack to a power struggle and latent acrimony between neighborhood property owners defending themselves against a troubled road association without legal standing, a track record of breaking County grading regulations, and responsible for initiating unilateral actions that have both estranged and damaged area property owners. It goes without saying that this struggle needs to stop now, be raised above the personal attack level, and promptly relegated to history in a troubled past.
OK! Enough said about this defamation incident - we’ve established the allegations are a bunch of nonsense!
So hit your browser’s back button/icon and let’s get back to the important talk of Protecting Ramona’s Rural Character, coming up with an attainable Trail system, fixing the Roads, and improving the effectiveness of the RCPG’s dealings with the County!!!
**************************************************
To whom it may concern: Date: 10/23/06
I, Dick Borman, would like to state the following about the document which was sent to and further distributed by equestrian groups in Ramona, Ca. without a signature but indicating the person who created the document lived on Garjan Rd. There were many misrepresentations in the document. I will address the gravel first since I am the person responsible for laying the gravel down. And will address some of the other incorrect statements as well.
1. I am the one who laid the gravel down on Chablis Rd on my property. The road is entirely on my property in front of my house for approximately 335 feet. As property owner, I am responsible for maintaining an easement across my property "in repair" (California Civil Code 845).
The gravel we ordered is not the gravel that got delivered, we did not order ¾" rock. We ordered a smaller rock which the Grimes have used on their property and works really well. It is a smaller rock which compacts better than the ¾' rock. Unfortunately there was nothing we could do after it arrived and was laid down.
2. I requested the assistance of the Grimes' and Julie Grimes helped me with the project but in no way did they initiate the project.
3. I met with Cynthia Dorst to resolve her issues with the gravel on the road. During that meeting, she indicated satisfaction with proposed solutions.
4. As a result of that meeting, and at my own cost, I created a pathway along one side of the road for use for Cynthia to ride her motorcycle or horse to bypass the gravel on road. The pathway covered the entire stretch of gravel with the exception of a small area where utility structures along the road side prohibited putting a path at the far eastern end of the gravel.
5. The gravel on the road did not restrict anyone on Garjan Rd from pulling their horse trailers or any other trailer over the gravel.
6. There was one incident where a rock was kicked up into the engine compartment of a vehicle which required removal by a mechanic; other than that incident, I do not know of any other problems with vehicles traversing the gravel on the road.
7. My son owns a 99 VW Jetta and had no problems driving over the gravel. His vehicle is very low to the ground.
8. Vehicles driving over the gravel had to slow down; they could not drive fast over the gravel which made the neighborhood safer.
9. The gravel in no way deprived anyone from accessing their home on Garjan or pulling vehicles, such as trailers, from Garjan to their destination outside the Garjan-Chablis Road area. The motorcycles, were an issue for one residence but was not something, that with the use of the path, would have prevented them from using their motorcycles.
10. The gravel in fact, reduced the dust on the road, and stabilized the dirt and mud during times of wet weather and runoff which were the primary objectives.
11. I also have pictures of vehicles traversing this road with no problems at all
12. The statement that Dennis Grimes tore up grindings and other work performed by the road committee is not a complete statement. The work done on Dennis's driveway was not discussed with Dennis and left an impassable mess at Dennis's driveway. So Dennis removed the mess and restored its original condition. That's his right.
13. Dennis sent an email to the road committee after this incident indicating his displeasure with their actions and the actions he would take if these types of activities did not stop.
14. To indicate that the Grimes have done everything possible to work against the road committee and neighborhood is false.
Julie canvassed all residents on Garjan and Chablis Rd's in an effort to get everyone to contribute to the paving of the road. She and Dennis measured the road, talked to paving contractor's to get paving estimates etc all on their own time. The accusatory statement also left out the fact that we have horse people who do not want the road paved but are kind enough to go along with the majority. We also have horse owners on adjoining roads who maintain the identical gravel on their roads, with no concerns.
When it was discovered that the County wanted to put a highway bypass thru this neighborhood; The Grimes' organized neighbors from Highland Hills south to our neighborhood, and arranged a meeting with our County supervisor. Dennis put together a comprehensive presentation for our County supervisor presenting our issues and solutions regarding the bypass. The meeting was well attended by our neighborhood residents.
Julie and Dennis have sent out emails to the road committee and the neighborhood indicating their support and desire for horse trails/paths along our roads. It is the road committee that said they did not have the time to pursue that activity.
I am a previous horse owner. The Grimes do not have horses but that does not mean that they have not been willing to help horse owners in our area - as stated above, they have been strong advocates of horse trails in our neighborhood.
15. There was an incident with a member of the road committee in which Julie asked the person to leave her property or she would dial 911. The person was on her property without her consent. She was upset, but to my knowledge has never then or at any time since I have known her to physically attack anyone. She verbally gave him a piece of her mind but did not physically attack anyone. It is really hard to believe a woman would physically attack a bigger man when all that has to be done is to dial 911 for police assistance.
In summary, I have personal past knowledge of, and copies of past emails the Grimes' sent out representing some of the facts stated here. But again, with emphasis, I am the one who laid down gravel. I even met with this individual who composed the document (being discussed) to discuss the gravel issues, and put in a horse and motorcycle path along the gravel for this individual.
The Grimes have spent a great deal of their personal time attending meetings concerning and benefiting the residents of this area as well as their own interests. It is too bad that both sides of the issues are not presented when folks start voicing their opinions about folks running for office.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. To make statements that someone is irrational or unstable just because they do not fit into your personal concepts is why we have elections.
It certainly would be a better society if we presented issues in a non-confrontational manner and with a touch-of-class and professionalism. Anyone can put together a document such as the one sent out to the Horse and Trail committee for distribution. It takes a little more effort to present opinions about a candidate without using terms such as irrational or unstable, which are purely subjective.
If anyone has questions about the gravel issue, or any other statements I have made, or the personal and community character of the Grimes' please fell free to contact me personally.
Sincerely
Richard (Dick) Borman
