Has nothing to do with different types of stone or rock.

There should be no confusion on the issue. The facts are clear. The county makes no distinction between the two types of rock or stone. Neither type is officially allowed on commercial buildings in certain instances.

However, one can ask the county for a variance. The builder of the health offices at the north gate asked and was allowed to use stone.

OPA never asked.

It really is that simple.

Instead we've gotten the GM's choice of concrete blocks, and he seems to have hidden, obviscated, covered up, buried, deceived, fabricated excuses, etc-- your choice of how to describe what the GM did. 

I believe you are 100% correct in that regard.

I'd surmise its a safe bet that local folks would prefer that flat stone, by a large majority, over concrete block

Perhaps. However, the drawings all association members (not just locals) were shown in the referendum materials included river rock. The actual contract with Harkins included river rock. Those are facts, not speculation.