I flew up yesterday morning to attend the OHMVR commission workshop and returned home last night.
You see, this year there is a new rule that once a year the OHMVR has to have a meeting between itself and a “stakeholders” panel (comprised of representatives from various interested parties; 5 environmental representatives and 5 user representatives) and the meeting is supposed to encourage public input. The goal of this meeting is to get the panel and the Commissioners to discuss how to improve the grant process and to hear from the public on their concerns.
The first half of the meeting was spent “posturing.” People from both sides flexing their muscles and obviously trying to further they own agendas, rather than actually listening to what the other speaker was saying. By noon I was thoroughly disgusted and ready to go home. I’m glad I stayed.
The afternoon was a little more fruitful and some good ideas were brought up and discussed. And I learned more of the process and got to know some of the players involved. Now, what was the outcome?
The good news is the stakeholders and members of the audience who represent motorized access to public lands made a very good impression. Not only in the suggestions we brought to the table, but also we made it extremely clear that we will be closely watching the Commissioners and that their recent despicable trend will not be allowed to continue.
The bad news is there are four of them against three of us on the Commission and those four are arrogant and confident and obviously feel they have total freedom to continue.
The bottom line is, through OHV registration and gas tax there is a whole lot of OUR money in the OHMVR fund (right around $40 million). The control of that fund is in the hands of people who approve grants to study flora and fauna, but deny grants to provide necessary services to our riding areas.
We have to do something about this.
Getting the bad guys off the Commission is a long and tedious process and for many their tenure will pass before we’re successful (not that we won't try).
BUT we can make the people who appointed these idiots so uncomfortable that they will keep them in line and with that will come access to our money.
The alternative is for us to continue to support their environmental causes while we’re forced to find alternative ways to support access to Glamis (raising fees is the most likely action). This is something I cannot stomach.
I’m angry and disgusted and determined to make a change. But I can't do this alone. A plan is being devised, which cannot be discussed openly here (sorry Dano -- it’s none of your business). I need help. Please let me know if you want to get involved.
Vicki
Full Version: OHMVR workshop report
Thanks for all you do! ![[Monkee Dance]](graemlins/monkeedance2.gif)
RoostKing...
RoostKing...
Vicky,
Thank you for all the time you spend in actually trying to change things.
Instead of just complaining, you go out and do something, its people like you that give me inspiration to keep on writing letters, & offering support!
Thank-you
Osman
Thank you for all the time you spend in actually trying to change things.
Instead of just complaining, you go out and do something, its people like you that give me inspiration to keep on writing letters, & offering support!
Thank-you
Osman
Thank you, but don't thank me... ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
I have purely selfish designs you know. My son was finally old enough to try The Wall the season we were closed out. My husband's favorite place to ride was in the heart of the large central closure. And I've always wanted to search for some of the more unusual sights I've heard so much about.
Okay, these are a few of the reasons I joined the battle. But it's the twisted agenda of the environmental fanatics and the lopsided way the public sees them that keeps me angry.
The OHMVR Commission -- that's the OFF HIGHWAY MOTOR VEHICLE Recreation Commission -- is no place for people like Spitler, Thomas and Brisendon, whose mammas obviously never taught them right from wrong.
Just because you can get away with something doesn't mean you should. To trade your integrity in for your "cause" is disgraceful and their abuse of authority is abominable.
Obviously it's time to teach them a few lessons they never got at home.
![[Angry Fire]](graemlins/angryfire.gif)
Vicki
[ 01-29-2003, 02:34 PM: Message edited by: SailAway ]
I have purely selfish designs you know. My son was finally old enough to try The Wall the season we were closed out. My husband's favorite place to ride was in the heart of the large central closure. And I've always wanted to search for some of the more unusual sights I've heard so much about.Okay, these are a few of the reasons I joined the battle. But it's the twisted agenda of the environmental fanatics and the lopsided way the public sees them that keeps me angry.
The OHMVR Commission -- that's the OFF HIGHWAY MOTOR VEHICLE Recreation Commission -- is no place for people like Spitler, Thomas and Brisendon, whose mammas obviously never taught them right from wrong.
Just because you can get away with something doesn't mean you should. To trade your integrity in for your "cause" is disgraceful and their abuse of authority is abominable.
Obviously it's time to teach them a few lessons they never got at home.
Vicki
[ 01-29-2003, 02:34 PM: Message edited by: SailAway ]
Hey Sailaway....please email me any info you can...I know a couple of people and even myself that are interested in doing anything we can to get involved. Thanks Again!!
MXChick, you'll be getting an e-mail from me today. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Looks like we've got an excellent team started for this project but we could always use more help. A little or a lot, whatever you can give.
We're working on a plan of attack right now so it's a perfect time to jump in!
Vicki
Looks like we've got an excellent team started for this project but we could always use more help. A little or a lot, whatever you can give.We're working on a plan of attack right now so it's a perfect time to jump in!
Vicki
quote:So why do they even bother to ask for public input? They already have their green agenda online and ready for implementation! It would seem to me that if 70% of the public that spoke at the meeting were pro access and 3 of the 7 members of the commission voted our way, a SINGLE tree-huggers vote shouldn't carry that kind of power!!!!
The bad news is there are four of them against three of us on the Commission and those four are arrogant and confident and obviously feel they have total freedom to continue.
Who can we call to voice our disapproval on this matter? It's this kind of arrogance that just boils my blood! LIVE FREE OR DIE!
Count me in vicki. send me whatever you have and I'll get a few others involved too.
Joe, I just sent you an e-mail
NMERIDER, I don't see an e-mail address for you, so drop me a line at vickiw@duners.org and we'll get you hooked up.
Vicki
NMERIDER, I don't see an e-mail address for you, so drop me a line at vickiw@duners.org and we'll get you hooked up.
Vicki
Vicki~
Thanks for all the info!! I'll help in anyway that I can!!
Cari
[ 01-29-2003, 04:36 PM: Message edited by: mxchick23 ]
Thanks for all the info!! I'll help in anyway that I can!!
Cari
[ 01-29-2003, 04:36 PM: Message edited by: mxchick23 ]
Thanks Cari -- I'll send him a note
Vicki
Vicki
Thanks Vicki, Count me in! I'll be happy to do whatever I can! We can't less this one pass!
LIVE FREE OR DIE!
LIVE FREE OR DIE!
CA OHV "Green Sticker" fund held hostage.
Dear Honorable (your elected officials)
My family and I are legal owners of Off Highway Vehicles in California. Recently the appointed members of the California Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Commission (CHMVR) voted 4 to 3 to deny the grant request from the El Centro Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in their needs for the coming year at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreational Area.(ISDRA) This OHV recreation area is the most visited in the state and possible the country. This grant has been issued for the past 15 years to the BLM in their management of the dunes.
This California OHV program was started in 1971. Started by 2 legislators, one an OHV user and one an environmentalist. This program has supported legal OHV use in all forms within our state and has been used as an example for the rest of the country. The current make up of the commissioners are now threatening the existence of this program.
Commissioner Paul Spitler is an environmentalist on a mission. He helped write the "Off-Road to Ruin" report claiming untold damage caused by OHV use. This report is full of false statements and exaggerations that the CA BLM Desert Advisory Commission (DAC) reviewed the claims at a public meeting and disputed them. At this meeting Mr. Spitler on public record reveiled that the day before this meeting was his first OHV experience ever. How can someone with his extreme views on OHV recreation sit on a commission that represents taxpayers that support a program to enhance their experience and safety while using OHVs?
Commissioner John Brissenden voted against winter recreation operations and maintenance grants for the Humboldt-Toiyabe and Eldorado National Forests, where Mr. Brissenden does business as Sorenson?s Resort and Hope Valley Resort. Mr. Brissenden was the only OHMVR Commissioner to vote against every National Forest Winter Recreation Operations and Maintenance grant. He does not like OHV use anywhere. How can someone with his extreme views on OHV recreation sit on a commission that represents taxpayers that support a program to enhance their experience and safety while using OHVs?
I ask that you look into this matter for the 3.5 million recreationists in California that pay this fee to support a program to continue our family values and tradition. But extreme views in any public office is not representative of the voters they serve.
Thank You,
The ........ Family
123 OHV supporter row
EVERYWHERE, CA,
PLEASE you CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Put in your information and GO!!!
Copy and Paste and fill in the blanks...
For Sen. Boxer: http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/webform.html
For Sen. Feinstein: http://feinstein.senate.gov/email.html
For Gov. Davis: governor@governor.ca.gov
Others can be found here,,, http://capwiz.com/share/home/
(Is this a form letter? WHO CARES!!! if they don't hear,,, they DON"T CARE!!!
(if you don't have the time now,,, please insert your head back into the sand...we will come get you out of the new closure area that will surround you soon)![[Mad]](mad.gif)
Dear Honorable (your elected officials)
My family and I are legal owners of Off Highway Vehicles in California. Recently the appointed members of the California Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Commission (CHMVR) voted 4 to 3 to deny the grant request from the El Centro Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in their needs for the coming year at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreational Area.(ISDRA) This OHV recreation area is the most visited in the state and possible the country. This grant has been issued for the past 15 years to the BLM in their management of the dunes.
This California OHV program was started in 1971. Started by 2 legislators, one an OHV user and one an environmentalist. This program has supported legal OHV use in all forms within our state and has been used as an example for the rest of the country. The current make up of the commissioners are now threatening the existence of this program.
Commissioner Paul Spitler is an environmentalist on a mission. He helped write the "Off-Road to Ruin" report claiming untold damage caused by OHV use. This report is full of false statements and exaggerations that the CA BLM Desert Advisory Commission (DAC) reviewed the claims at a public meeting and disputed them. At this meeting Mr. Spitler on public record reveiled that the day before this meeting was his first OHV experience ever. How can someone with his extreme views on OHV recreation sit on a commission that represents taxpayers that support a program to enhance their experience and safety while using OHVs?
Commissioner John Brissenden voted against winter recreation operations and maintenance grants for the Humboldt-Toiyabe and Eldorado National Forests, where Mr. Brissenden does business as Sorenson?s Resort and Hope Valley Resort. Mr. Brissenden was the only OHMVR Commissioner to vote against every National Forest Winter Recreation Operations and Maintenance grant. He does not like OHV use anywhere. How can someone with his extreme views on OHV recreation sit on a commission that represents taxpayers that support a program to enhance their experience and safety while using OHVs?
I ask that you look into this matter for the 3.5 million recreationists in California that pay this fee to support a program to continue our family values and tradition. But extreme views in any public office is not representative of the voters they serve.
Thank You,
The ........ Family
123 OHV supporter row
EVERYWHERE, CA,
PLEASE you CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Put in your information and GO!!!
Copy and Paste and fill in the blanks...
For Sen. Boxer: http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/webform.html
For Sen. Feinstein: http://feinstein.senate.gov/email.html
For Gov. Davis: governor@governor.ca.gov
Others can be found here,,, http://capwiz.com/share/home/
(Is this a form letter? WHO CARES!!! if they don't hear,,, they DON"T CARE!!!
(if you don't have the time now,,, please insert your head back into the sand...we will come get you out of the new closure area that will surround you soon)
Nice letter Jim.
Cari, Joe, NMERider... you should have received the first e-mail and another update is on the way. Thanks for jumping into the fight!
NMERider, when you get a chance send those others to me or let me know how many you have so they can get started.
Vicki
Cari, Joe, NMERider... you should have received the first e-mail and another update is on the way. Thanks for jumping into the fight!
NMERider, when you get a chance send those others to me or let me know how many you have so they can get started.
Vicki
Vicki....
Sent those letters via email and regular mail as well today...I guess every little bit helps!!
hey NMERider...STOP SLACKING!!!!! LOL!!![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
Cari
Sent those letters via email and regular mail as well today...I guess every little bit helps!!
hey NMERider...STOP SLACKING!!!!! LOL!!
Cari
Okay, in the interest of saving our fingers and our eyesight, a new {private} forum has been added to the DUNERS bulletin board so that we can strategize in privacy.
If you'd like to help with this project, there's plenty to do, so jump on in. Go to www.duners.org and click on "Bulletin Board". Register and then send me an e-mail and I'll add you to the private forum.
See you there!
Vicki
If you'd like to help with this project, there's plenty to do, so jump on in. Go to www.duners.org and click on "Bulletin Board". Register and then send me an e-mail and I'll add you to the private forum.
See you there!
Vicki
Wow Jim, Fantastic letter! Mine's on the way both email and snail.
Thanks for composing this letter!
Thanks for composing this letter!
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