CARLSBAD: Ranch caretakers asked to leave
By BARBARA HENRY - Staff Writer | ∞
Caretakers Greg and Jennifer Sawyer, seen here with their sons Daniel, 4, and Matthew, 7, at Leo Carrillo Ranch in Carlsbad on Nov. 30. The couple have been told their contract with the city of Carlsbad won't be renewed. (North County Times file photo) CARLSBAD ---- The family that's been taking care of the city's Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park for the last year has been asked to leave.
Greg Sawyer, who has been living on the 27-acre property with his wife, Jennifer, and their two boys, said their caretaker contract with the city runs out Sept. 30, and city officials have informed them that it will not be renewed.
"I just would like answers (about why), and nobody from the city of Carlsbad wants to tell me," he said Monday. "If I did something really wrong, I would like to know it."
On Monday, Carlsbad recreation services manager Mick Calarco said the contract has not been renewed, but said under city policy he could not discuss the situation.
"The city is just choosing not to renew it at this time," Calarco said, adding that he would not like to see this characterized as a punishment or disciplinary action. "Sometimes we renew (a contract), sometimes we don't."
The former movie star's ranch, just west of Melrose Drive on Flying LC Lane, has been under city ownership since the late 1970s, but it opened to the public for the first time in 2003.
The place is considered something of a well-kept secret in Carlsbad ---- it's had only three caretakers before the arrival of the Sawyers. For years, the caretaker spot was given to city parks employees who agreed to provide some maintenance work in exchange for free housing.
After the park opened to the public, the city decided to go with a more formal arrangement and issued publicity saying they were looking for a caretaker. The Sawyers, who were living in a crime-ridden San Diego neighborhood when they heard about the job, jumped at the opportunity.
Greg Sawyer read everything he could about Carrillo's life and wowed city employees with his knowledge when he came for the initial interview, city officials said at the time. His wife brought her plant knowledge to the job ---- she's a botanist at the San Diego Wild Animal Park.
Sawyer said Monday that he thinks he got crosswise with city officials months ago because of a dispute over how the city operates its burglar alarm system at the ranch. He said he's also gotten into trouble because he has a tendency to solve problems without asking for city approval first.
Among other things, he said, he used his vehicle to help pull out a stuck truck --- something he wasn't allowed to do under city policy. He sometimes worked more than the 30 hours a week specified in the family's contract with the city, and he didn't get city approval to move rocks within the park to protect a sprinkler system, he said.
Calarco said those things all happened, but said the city did not take disciplinary action against Sawyer. He added that the city appreciates the positive contributions the family made at the ranch.
Jennifer Sawyer planted a special dawn redwood tree and helped care for other plants on the property, while her husband was good with park visitors because he had so much historical knowledge about the place, Calarco said.
He added that the city gave the Sawyers 60 days' notice so they would have time to find new accommodations. The city isn't certain when it will obtain a new caretaker for the property, he said.
Sawyer said he isn't sure where his family will move now.
One thing is certain ---- finding something like the ranch won't be easy. In exchange for duties that included cleaning bathrooms and raking leaves, the Sawyers lived rent-free in a two-bedroom, two-bath, nearly new mobile home on the 27-acre park. The city paid their electric bills and gave them a $5,000 stipend to cover any taxes related to the free housing benefit.
Contact staff writer Barbara Henry at (760) 901-4072 or bhenry@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.
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Einstein wrote on Aug 25, 2008 3:30 PM:Cities are screwed up beaureaucracies mainly headed by self centered individuals looking to boost their own image and pocket books.....there is no loyalty whatsoever...
FTM wrote on Aug 25, 2008 3:32 PM:Favors - I wonder who is owed a favor.
Oh well, whoever you are, your rent free pad is almost ready.
Good grief wrote on Aug 25, 2008 3:42 PM:Nobody is guaranteed a job or a free place to live! They will find another place to live and they will get jobs to pay for their living expenses just like every other person in this country!
FTM wrote on Aug 25, 2008 3:54 PM:True, no one is garanteed free rent, (unless your friends with the right person).
Leo wrote on Aug 25, 2008 4:49 PM:With a contract or a lease, the owner has the right to not renegotiate with the lessee.
Whether you agree or not, there is no reason that has to be stated on the decision to not renew.
Good Luck with your new residence.
Truth wrote on Aug 25, 2008 5:08 PM:Typical Carlsbad... If the NCT has the guts and no connection to city big wigs, the paper will put this under the microscope and give us the truth.
Nick wrote on Aug 25, 2008 5:54 PM:Wow, "Good Grief" and "FTM" are some really wonderful people.
I seriously hope no one ever offers to lend you 2 a hand!
Huh wrote on Aug 25, 2008 7:31 PM:Did their contract expire, or were they asked to leave? There seems to be a difference, but the article suggests both - there is a difference
TO Huh wrote on Aug 25, 2008 8:06 PM:The article is pretty clear. They contract expires on Sept 30. The city will not renew. As a result, the family has been asked to leave. Since the residence is a perk of the contract it is safe to assume that no contract = no perk (place to live). What isn't specified is when they are expected to vacate. I would imagine it would be upon the termination of the contract ... 30 days (plus about a week). It sucks I'm sure, but that's politics for you.
Contracts wrote on Aug 25, 2008 9:18 PM:aren't just in politics, but I guess that's where they are most prevalent. I'm sure the terms of the contract were pretty clear as to when the end is...
Typical wrote on Aug 26, 2008 7:13 AM:Contracts? Yes, the know-it-alls and Carlsbad's few who want to be more than they can be - miss the human connection! Where were they when the city made a very big deal about wanting "more than a grass cutter" for this 'museum'? Where were they when the city publicly touted the perfect find of people to take care of this city treasure? Why weren't they there when this average, simple family needed their legalese on contracts. But it is typical of Carlsbad City and typical of the 'want to be elite' that live in a hanging on to 'La Costa snob attitude' city. Maybe instead of looking down on their neighbors they should give a helping hand...
bubba wrote on Aug 26, 2008 7:35 AM:shame they have to move a family twice in a year - gotta be tough - what happen's to the kids in school?
Beachlovers wrote on Aug 26, 2008 7:56 AM:This family seems like such a perfect fit and the City of Carlsbad obviously thought so a year ago as well. He did all of the research so he was completely knowledgable & she is a botanist - what more does the city want? It's a shame their contract is not being renewed, maybe someone else in the county who could use a wonderful handyman caretaker family such as them will read this and get in touch with them. Carlsbad's loss. Best of luck Sawyer family, I have a feeling you will move on to bigger and better things for your family!
To Typical wrote on Aug 26, 2008 10:44 AM:Unfortunately, this has nothing to do with compassion or looking out for ones neighbors. It would be nice if it was, but it's not. The city had declined to renew their contract. It sucks and I feel bad for the family that has to move. Especially the kids who may have to change schools. But don't blame the other citizens ... take it up with the city ... it was their decision not ours.
Is this really news wrote on Aug 26, 2008 11:16 AM:the persons in question even said they had a run in or two with the city over unauthorized things they had done? Is it any surprise their contract was not renewed?The city is worried about liability , AS THEY SHOULD BE! It takes only 1 incident to incur a huge legal battle over a seemingly innocent event and then the city has to pay for the fees etc. I'm a Carlsbad resident true, but as a taxpayer I sure don't want any additional taxes or shut down of city facilities because someone couldn't follow the rules. Must be a slow day at the NCT for them to break out the conspiracy theory team. Another reason I don't subscribe.
To Is This Really News wrote on Aug 26, 2008 12:04 PM:Pulling out the old "liability" saw, are you? Well, see, it kinda goes like this: if the city authorizes an action (like pulling out a truck stuck in the mud), at THAT point the city accepts liability. If Mr. Sawyer performed those actions without permission from the city, HE is accepting liability, since the city then has an out.
Don't make excuses for Carlsbad behaving like Carlsbad. Watch the "news" in the future to see which friend-of-city-official gets the job to replace two obviously-qualified individuals.
Shame on Carlsbad.
hank wrote on Aug 26, 2008 12:55 PM:"Is this really news" might not know whether the Sawyer's were trained properly or not and only had run ins with the City due to lack of training and maybe the Sawyers had liability insurance. You can only follow the rules when you know the rules.
Ray P. wrote on Aug 26, 2008 2:43 PM:Back when the ranch was in an isolated area, and in keeping with the historical integrity of the ranch, a "caretaker" made sense. But now that the ranch is closely surrounded by dense residential development it isn't necessary or cost effective to have a 24-hour tenant.
Carlsbad more mismanagement wrote on Aug 27, 2008 5:17 AM:As others have said here, look for some cronie special friend of the city to take over the job! That's why they won't advertise it. This family wasn't the typical bureaucratic family and the city couldn't stand it, so they are not renewing their contract. I can just see the city managers hiring some cronies and doubling the salary!
To mismanagement wrote on Aug 27, 2008 6:38 PM:read the article - there is no salary involved. It was a contract that expires - happens all the time, unfortunately a family was effected. Good luck to the family - I'm sure they will find something that will work out better for them.
Unbelievable.... wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:41 AM:OMGosh, since when does the loss of job make for news. I work for a local school district and we have contract teachers all the time. Last year 67 teachers lost their jobs. Some of them worked for the district for 7 years. I don't see them calling the paper. No one is guaranteed a job. A contract is a contract--whether a home rental or a job. Homeowners ask renters to vacate with a 30-day notice all the time. You don't see them all calling the paper. Shame on the NCTimes for only seeing one side to this story.
crazy indin wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:40 AM:simple get rid of the occupants, use that as an excuse and throw up some houses, forget about the history of the place. typical political B.S
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