San Mateo County pushes back on farm housing owner’s allegations amid documented safety violations
San Mateo County, California – Officials in San Mateo County are now looking over a claim made by local property owner Victor Aenlle, whose latest filing has drawn attention for its many factual inaccuracies and controversial claims. As is standard procedure, the Board of Supervisors will handle the matter at an upcoming public meeting. County officials in the interim are fighting against what they call false claims and a misinterpretation of well-documented information.
Mr. Aenlle’s assertion’s main source of misunderstanding is the Cordell Report. The report’s purpose was not what Mr. Aenlle claimed. The first paragraph of the document’s really states that retired Judge LaDoris Cordell was called in by the County Attorney’s Office for a neutral, fact-finding investigation. That investigation’s focus was on resolving certain issues and complaints expressed by members—both current and former—of the Sheriff’s Office regarding Mr. Aenlle. From the start, the report’s scope and goal were clear; any misrepresentation of its function would therefore be deceptive.
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The assertion also overlooks important background information about county activities at Mr. Aenlle’s land. Urgent public safety issues after a terrible mass shooting in Half Moon Bay drove the Farmworker Housing Compliance Task Force to start in early 2023. Over two years, the task team examined 56 farmworker housing properties, including Mr. Aenlle’s. This was not the outcome of personal targeting but rather a component of a more comprehensive, methodical reaction.
Local media have widely reported serious safety concerns at Mr. Aenlle’s property. Inspections uncovered polluted water sources and unlicensed, dangerous living quarters. One of the apartments was even red-tagged, meaning it was considered unfit for living. These results have been extensively reported by outlets including ABC7 News, Coastside News, and the San Mateo Daily Journal, hence stressing the extent of the issues recorded by inspectors.
Apart from factual misstatements regarding the county’s enforcement activities, Mr. Aenlle’s allegation accuses unnamed individuals with discriminating against him because of his Latino background. County officials, though, say the claim lacks any justification or corroborating facts for such a serious allegation.
County officials said the assertion should not be taken seriously given the number of untrue and unsubstantiated issues reported. Officials are urging the public to check accessible reports and trustworthy press coverage for a complete knowledge of the concerns at hand as the Board of Supervisors gets ready to address the topic.
