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April 6, 2009
George called me last night. He and Jack are in Las Vegas. He was in my
car and Jack called him to pick him up to come along to San Diego. They
think they will be here Wednesday sometime. I got up early to meet with
Mr. Shields.
When Fay
and I arrived and he was in the front yard watering his flowers. These
were my wife's flowers When she was alive, Now I keep them for her. Good
morning ladies, Good morning, we said.
I wanted to tell you both some things.
Kay, Fay has told me a lot about you She said you have vision and a good
imagination . She said you're honest and trustworthy. I have no one to
give my money to when I die and I'm almost ninety, We had two children
and my wife and both my children were killed coming home from Sara's
UCLA graduation in 1972, We were not young when we married and I was
keeping my mother at the time and after she passed I inherited
everything her and my father had. My grandfather homesteaded several
thousand acres in San Diego and grew grapes for many years and my father
was raised in the vineyards and so was I. Now they are all gone and I'm
the only one left. I have never had a job all of my life except when I
was young working for my grandfather.
One day the state wanted to buy my
grandfathers vineyards. He owned he land from the foot hills on the east
side of the freeway to the bay about four miles along highway one before
there was a highway one there was a dirt road when he came here. Then it
was no more than a dirt road along the bay. The state built a freeway
down the length of his property, four miles of it. they said the land
was condemned for public domain and they didn't have to pay him for it.
several years later they paid my father for his father's land, that
was after several years of court battles, the state had to pay him Two
hundred and thirty five million dollars for my grandfather's land. I
never wanted the money, I had no use for it and when I die the state
will want it back. Over the years I invested some into land deals to
offset taxes and I made money several times and I still have most of it.
After my children and wife died I lost
the will to do anything. I have the property that Fay is handling for me
and I have about two hundred million in a trust. I would like to give
something back. My parents built this place in the forties after the war
and I moved in to keep care of my mother when father died, later we
raised our children here. I have a property that I would like to build
low income housing on. I believe you're the one who can do this for me,
you can spend as much as you want. I would like to see it finished
before I die. Take a look at the 200 acre parcel and let me know what
you think. I have my wits about me but I also have a cancer and if you
do this for me I will give you Ten percent of the trust and you and Fay
can split the property value. Mr. Shields I am very happy to do as you
ask. We will go now and look at the property. Thank you for telling me
about your life and family I will do everything I can to make your dream
come true. I'm sure you will. You ladies run along, I need to rest now.
Good bye, Mr. Shields.
Kay I was not expecting that. What do
we do Kay? Have you seen the property. Yes its an old vineyard mostly
dead, spread around a hillside, twenty minutes later we were there. This
is beautiful. The property is fenced good so the property lines are
visible. Its over a half a mile long and over a quarter mile wide. That
low spot can be a wetland and a park with streets running along the
hillside. I have to make a call. Bob what are you doing?......Can you
give me some time to look at some property........Ok I will let Fay tell
you where we are......Ok....We will wait Bye. Fay gave him directions
and when he arrived I told him most of the story and he was ready to put
a team on this project and get it on paper. He went back to work very
excited.
Betty and the girls were finishing up
cleaning the two units when we arrived home. They are both done and
ready for anything. I have several things to do today. Joe, can you give
me a ride. Sure, are you ready? Yes.... In the car he ask, where to? I
want a new Limo, a long one so where do we go. Hollywood. Oh, Let's take
Jenny and Fay. I called them both and they agreed to come with us. I
caught Jenny up to speed with Mr. Shields and she was excited. And I
told her where we are going and she asked, Can we have lunch soon. Yes
we can The two hour ride and lunch, we made it there about two pm. Joe
found what he thought I would like and he was right, it was beautiful.
A nine foot stretch Nine seating in the back and satellite TV,
refrigerator bar, two computers and a privacy screen and
intercom, everything is nice it's called "The Executive" It's designed
for the entrepreneur. Fay paid for it with a check and Joe and Fay drove
it home and Jenny drove the old one home and I rode with her up front.
She wanted to know what I had in mind for the low income property. Small
units 1200 Sq. Ft. with double car garages and Child care and parks and
wetlands and playgrounds and hundreds of trees. I want to make it home
for several thousand people.
At home Jenny moved her things from my
place to her place...Kay, they stocked it with everything, towels, soap
even bread and butter and coffee and a coffee maker. Everything we could
think of. The girls really did a good Job. You deserve it Jenny, You
have done a lot for the four of us and we just wanted to show our
appreciation. I thank you all so much. I like it all. Now you live in
California Jenny. We laughed, I think we all do. Lets all go out to
dinner and Its Joe's choice. Ok how about the hotel where I worked. I
want to showoff the new Limo. That's good, I said. Joe called for
reservations and we were off.... What a day.........KB
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