Commissioner Rodriguez gestured for him to continue, clearly fascinated by the drama unfolding better than any reality TV show.
Bennett approached with the calm authority of someone who'd read every relevant law book twice.
Riparian rights and mineral rights inheritance are complex, but this case is actually straightforward.
Thompson Mining Company purchased comprehensive resource rights in 1943, which were never rescinded.
Those rights passed through legitimate inheritance to Mr. Blackstone.
He produced his own documentation, the chain of ownership from Thompson Mining to the holding company, to my grandfather, to me, each transfer properly recorded and notarized.
More specifically, Bennett added, the HOA Ms. Windham represents has been collecting fees for access to Mr. Blackstone's private property.
Every violation notice, every fine, every restriction has been an attempted interference with his legal property rights.
Margaret's face had gone from cream to white to a shade of red that suggested either rage or a medical emergency.
You can't just claim ownership of an entire lake! What about our investments? Our property values?
Commissioner Williams held up a hand for silence.
Ms. Windham, please hold your comments. Mr. Bennett, do you have verification of Mr. Blackstone's tax payments?
Joyce stood up from her seat, bless her organized soul.
Commissioner, I'm Joyce Miller from the county land records office.
I can confirm Mr. Blackstone has been paying lake property taxes annually since 1999.
I can also confirm that Ms. Windham's HOA has never filed proper incorporation papers with the state, meaning they have no legal authority to collect fees or impose restrictions.
The county tax assessor, sitting near the back, added his voice.
I can verify Mr. Blackstone's tax payment history.
I can also confirm that Ms. Windham has never paid property taxes on any lake footage because her deed terminates at the high water mark like every other waterfront property.
Margaret looked like someone had pulled the floor out from under her expensive shoes.
Her supporters began whispering urgently among themselves, the sound of loyalty evaporating faster than morning dew in August.
Dale officially resigned as HOA treasurer right there in his seat, loud enough for everyone to hear.
I'm out. This is not what I signed up for.
Commissioner Williams requested a brief recess to review documentation.
During those 10 minutes, Margaret stood frozen at the front of the room while her photographer quietly packed up his equipment and her supporters executed the fastest political retreat since Napoleon left Moscow.
Betty approached me with tears in her eyes.
Theo, does this mean she can't fine me for my gnomes?
Betty, I said with a smile, it means she never had the authority to fine anyone for anything.
When the commissioners returned, Williams delivered his findings with the weight of official judgment.
After reviewing the documentation, we confirm Mr. Blackstone's property ownership is legally valid and comprehensive.
The Pine Ridge Lake Homeowners Association has no authority to collect fees, impose fines, or restrict access to private property.
Furthermore, any structures installed by the HOA on Mr. Blackstone's property constitute trespassing and must be removed immediately.