Members of a family on the Pala Indian Reservation say the tribe put a large sewer pump on their property without their knowledge or permission.
Vincent Marruffo, whose family owns a 2-acre property north of state Route 76, said the pump was built on the land seven years ago but no one contacted the family for permission. Marruffo said he found out about the pump a year ago when he was doing research into his family’s land holdings.
Now the tribe and the family are talking about how to resolve the problem.
Doug Elmets, a spokesman for Pala, said tribal leaders are working with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs to reach an agreement with the family.
“The tribe and the BIA have been working together cooperatively to resolve the situation and currently appraisals are being submitted to determine the appropriate compensation for the pump station,” Elmets said.
The lot is about a mile east of the Pala Casino west of Lilac Road. It has been in Marruffo’s family for generations, but had been vacant for many years. The family is made up of about 70 individuals, some of whom are Pala tribal members and others who are not.
Marruffo is a Pala descendant and says he is eligible for membership but the tribe disagrees.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PALA DISPUTE AT: PALAWATCH.com
12 comments:
Better call Turko files. he covered the Warner Springs dispute
concerning the PBMI fence project,
where the Executive Committee, on their own, fenced off some private property, and also caused some damage to someone elses property, and left a big mess.
This was done at the direction of Robert Smith himself.
I'm sure the site was surveyed before construction.Smith and the EC had to know the pump station was on someones property.I would made them move it if the family who owns the property gets a low ball offer the Smith.
Tell Smith pay me what I want or I'm having someone remove the pipe by the end of the week. This doesn't suprise me one bit Robert does whatever he wants because nobody has ever stopped him or told him NO! As long as he keeps getting away with everything especially stealing from his own tribe he will continue to do so. Come on Feds we know your listening when are you gonna swoop in Pala and take Smith and Nieto.
Thank you for all your support.All your comments help.Just keeping everything legal. By the way Mr Smith my husband doesn't do drugs matter fact he does'nt drink either he volenteers studied his language he's at the talkng circle in morongo your welcome to attend they are every Wenesday he's been going for almost three years .And I would like to thank you for bringing my husbands family together.Yes you did destroy this property. But you won't destroy his name .I think he is going to work in Pala someday putting your land issues back together..When dealing on Pala issues he has the paper work.Peace with you all annyone reading this will always be their to help.Lots of work but worth it all..And yes Mr Smith you are trespassing. Jill Lucero Marruffo Vincent's wife.Melissa feworksf
Nice post 8:01 PM
Don't give up the fight. Smith was
wrong. Take him down and make him pay for what he is doing to you and your family members.
He did the same thing at Warner Springs.He hired a fence co. to fence off property that did not belong to the Pala Tribe,so their is a pattern of what he is trying to do to your family. KUSI Turko files did a piece on the Warners deal, so maybe they would be willing to do a piece on your fight also.
Hopefully by Monday Vincent will be taking the fence down with the Sherrif and the FBI will be there too.
Hope so, will be praying for good outcome and we are on your side. Robert thinks he is invincible or something.
If anyone is interested, tonight at 10pm, KUSI news Turko files, is going to talk about the fence that smith and nieto authorized at Warner Springs. I still think that the family involved in the Pala dispute reguarding the pump station, should contact Mr. Turko.
Feb.17.
Just read 8:20 going to look into I thank you so much
So Vincent went to the sheriff's office they are on our side.Vincent showed them the papers they will just be there to keep the peace The tribe took down the fence and a week later put up barriers. Vincent and the family are calling Washington due to the fact they can't stay off there property.Turko never called back.Praying everything goes good for the family and Vincent
So Vincent went to the sheriff's office they are on our side.Vincent showed them the papers they will just be there to keep the peace The tribe took down the fence and a week later put up barriers. Vincent and the family are calling Washington due to the fact they can't stay off there property.Turko never called back.Praying everything goes good for the family and Vincent
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