The CotoBuzz Journal, Community Journalism

A piece titled City, Village news essentials Oct. 16 to 23 News for those on the go published by the Orange County Register asserts that the recent restraining order against Laguna Woods Village resident Lucienne Skogen was on “on behalf of the Golden Rain Foundation to prevent violence or threats of violence on PCM of California, Inc employees in the workplace”.

When allegedly blackballed and recently elected United Mutual of Laguna Woods Village director Mike Curtis made reference (refer to a piece published by the CotoBuzz Journal titled LWV Candid Shots, ) to this suit, the fact that the suit is titled, PCM, Inc vs Skogen and that there is no reference anywhere in the Court Order to any of the Mutuals, including, GRF Mutual, Director, Ray Gros, speaking to the Board and TV6 Viewers said: " .... Mr Johns had nothing to do with the law suit, that situation came through us. We Allowed, we said, to please, and, the attorney is our attorney. He is not the attorney for PCM. That keeps getting misconstrued."

On the other hand, 46-year old and PCM spokesperson Wendy Bucknum, writes in an email to Laguna Woods residents, in an apparent attempt to explain why two PCM employees may feel threatened by a 73 year old resident, and why a restraining order was necessary: “This was an action that was contemplated as a result of several threatening emails directed to PCM staff members,”

Lou Skogen has asked the GRF board to explain is remarks, which appear contradictory to the filed court documents. Ms. Skogen has also asked a similar question of the OCR reporters:

I believe somebody gave you some erroneous information.

On page 4, under Laguna Woods Village. "It's off. Sept. 18, attorneys Hart, King & Coldren filed a restraining order against Laguna Woods Village Resident Lucienne Skogen on behalf of the Golden Rain Foundation etc".

It was NOT in behalf of Golden Rain Foundation. The court papers say and Mr Mulvilhill of Hart, King & Coldren also told me on my voice mail that he and his firm were representing PCM, Inc. and PCM of California, Inc. No mention was ever made that Golden Rain Foundation was involved.

Please make the correction in the next edition. If you need to let me know and I'll send you copies of the court papers. No mention of GRF involvement there, just PCM. And as you must know, that is a definite conflict of interest on HK&C's part - Lou Skoen asking OCR reporters to print a retraction

The CotoBuzz has sent multiple email request to Ms. Bucknum, PCM and GRF asking for comments and or clarifications. To date, we have not heard from any one.

The questions remain: Why do court records do not seem to match the rhetoric? Is this a liability issue? Is this much ado about nothing? Is GRF less concerned with fulfilling their fiduciary responsibility of engaging supporters and critics alike regarding community affairs, or more with propping up their service providers? If the latter, then why?

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