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Friday 16, December 2011

Daphne Greene, CA OHV Boss, Booted by Brown

Op-Ed by Dave Duffin

The lead photo above shows Daphne at the Carnegie Rider Appreciation Day on October 23rd this year. The image does not lie. Joe Ramos our Carnegie Ranger-boss proudly introduced her to the audience at the event. Her expression shows her mood and ambiance at the day that finally brought the staff and riders together.

Now focus on this: At that very moment there were political assassins meeting to continue doing damage to Carnegie. The first strike from them would be to get rid of Daphne and put in her place a charlatan who would find ways to severely restrict OHV recreation and begin to dismantle all Daphne’s work over the past 8 years. Yes, of course they would target Carnegie again to close our park that Daphne defended for the last 3 years.

Yes, we all know that a Deputy Director serves at the discretion of the Governor, but please realize that the people who “have his ear” are not our friends. I would not be surprised if our key adversary who tried to close Carnegie 3 years ago, Karen Schamback, might be slated for the position.

What can we do to reverse this “Pearl Harbor” attack on California OHV recreation?

ACT IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!

1. CALL THE GOVERNOR – 916.445.2841
2. FAX THE GOVERNOR - 916.558.3160
3. EMAIL THE GOVERNOR - veronica.ortiz-torres@gov.ca.gov
4. WRITE THE GOVERNOR: Gov. Jerry Brown, State Capitol, Sac. CA 95814
5. Letter Generator: http://capwiz.com/cal4wheel/home/

Remember the CA OHV system is entirely paid for by the OHV community. Demand a say in who runs it.

I’ll be at Carnegie this weekend handing out postcards to the Governor – come by and get one – at MotoMart.

Thank you for your on-going support,
Dave Duffin, Board of Directors
Carnegie Forever

March 24, 2011
Clear Creek Update, Email from CORVA

The preliminary analysis of the study conducted by the State regarding asbestos exposure has just been released by the OHMVR Division of State Parks.

Here is the link to the study, as well as a press release from the division announcing the release: 
http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=1140

Below is a key passage in the Executive Study - but overall the outcome of the study was very, very positive. The study was done specifically to evaluate the effect on motorcycle riding considering up to 5 riding days per year, the study noted; "Based on the IERF analysis, the results of which are included herein, there is clearly an opportunity to allow OHV recreation at CCMA. Under the conditions we observed, and similar seasonal conditions, OHV enthusiasts would not be exposed to unacceptably high levels of airborne asbestos."

Simply put, this is great news for enthusiasts everywhere, this couldn't be a better conclusion. There are some parameters of the study that should be noted, such as the limited number of riding days, as well as a notice that exposure could be higher on very dry, dusty days. But all in all, this study completely refutes the EPA conclusions.

Now it is up to the BLM to act. Enthusiasts will be expecting the BLM to change their previous stance on OHV activity in Clear Creek, and we will be anxiously awaiting their response. 

July 2, 2009
Raid on OHV funds planned again, Email from CORVA

Urgent! -  Raid on OHV Funds Planned Again!

CORVA has received word that there will be another run on the OHV Trust Fund, this time aimed at the Grants Program that funds OHV recreation on federal lands.  We all know that 80% of OHV recreation in California occurs on federal lands, most of it paid for with California OHV funds.

Please take a few moments to fax and email Governor Schwarzenegger to voice your objection to this raid on our funds.

SEND BOTH A FAX AND EMAIL   - please do this today!

Sample Letter below ˆ Please use this to draft your own! `

________________________________________

July 1, 2009

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:

As a resident of the State of California I understand the gravity of the budget 

crisis and the difficulty of finding ways to resolve it.  I feel very strongly 

that what is needed is long term solution, not temporary measures that only put 

off dealing with the problem.

I understand that our State Parks are in need of funding and that measures to 

redirect funds from the OHV Division to the Parks are being considered.  I would like to point out that OHV funds are held in the Fuel Tax Trust Fund. Recent 

court cases have upheld the need for repayment if these funds are borrowed and used for anything other than the intended purposes.

OHV recreation areas on federal land are among the most popular in California 

and receive millions of visits each year. OHV facilities on federal land such as the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area are for the most part funded by OHV 

Trust Fund dollars. The Oceano Dunes and other State Vehicular Recreation Areas are some of the most visited parks in the state.  Redirecting funds from these areas to other less visited areas will leave millions of Californians with 

nowhere to go.

The State of California has already borrowed $90M from the Trust Fund. The OHV Trust Fund has already contributed more than its fair share.  To borrow more 

from the Fund is not a solution to the budget problem, only a short term fix.

I urge you to avoid redirecting OHV funds to any other purpose.

Sincerely,

Name

Address

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

State Capitol Building

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: 916-445-2841

Fax: 916-558-3160 (new number)

Email address: governor@governor.ca.gov

Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair 

Phone: (916) 319-2007 

Fax: (916) 319-2107 

assemblymember.evans@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D-Woodland Hills) 

Phone: (916) 319-2040 

Fax: (916) 319-2140 

Assemblymember.blumenfield@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles 

Phone: (916) 319-2045 

Fax: (916) 319-2145 

Assemblymember.deLeon@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Roger Niello (R-Sacramento) 

Phone: (916) 319-2005 

Fax: (916) 319-2105 

Assemblymember.niello@assembly.ca.gov

Assemblymember Jim Nielsen (R-Biggs) 

Phone: (916) 319-2002 

Fax: (916) 319-2102 

assemblymember.nielsen@assembly.ca.gov

Senator Denise Ducheny (D-San Diego) 

Phone: (916) 651-4040 

Fax: (916) 327-3522 

Senator.ducheny@sen.ca.gov

Senator Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) 

Phone: (916) 651-4031 

Fax: (916) 327-2272 

Senator.dutton@sen.ca.gov

Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) 

Phone: (916) 651-4003 

Fax: (916) 445-4722 

Senator.leno@senate.ca.gov

Senator Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) 

Phone: (916) 651-4027 

Fax: (916) 327-9113 

Senator.lowenthal@sen.ca.gov

Senator Mimi Walters (R-Laguna Hills) 

Phone: (916) 651-4033 

Fax: (916) 445-9754

Senator.Walters@sen.ca.gov 

June 18th, 2009
OHV Trust Funds Saved!, Email from CORVA

Late yesterday we received word that the joint legislative committee found an alternative funding source for State Parks. This proposal would increase registration fees for motor vehicles by $15. Because this is a fee and not a tax, it can pass the legislature with a simple majority.

It was also proposed that this fee allow free entry to State Parks for day use. The rationale is that the majority will never visit the parks anyway.

We'd like to thank those of you who sent letters to members of the Budget Committee in response to our emergency communication. That sent a strong message to legislators to keep their hands off our OHV Funds!

Thanks CORVA Members

June 8th, 2009
30 Down & Dirty,  Submitted by Diana Mead, Escarabajo Buggy Club, CORVA, Northern

Escarabajo selected, “30 Down  & Dirty”, as the name and the theme of our annual fund raising rally May 2009. “Thirty”, because we’ve been hosting a rally for thirty years, (actually 31, but we lost count for a year, when we lost our Virginia City venue a few years back), and “Dirty”, for the wonderful dirt running we have at Frank Raines Regional OHV, in Patterson, California.

“Dirty” took on another definition when we were blessed with rain, enough to give the participants perfect “mud” to enhance the experience. Now, we dirt enthusiasts don’t let a little foul weather daunt our spirits, but it was clear that nasty weather predictions kept many away. That’s a shame as a good time was had and a few dollars were raised. In the words of our Rally Master, Roy Haley, “The event was a success, and we broke even.”

Like last year, speed was not the criteria for winning. Points are accrued throughout the park by participating in the various check point events (bean bag toss, paint ball, basket ball challenge, etc. all of which are performed while in or on the vehicle!), playing poker (cards drawn at each event), locating numbered cones throughout the park, etc. There are ways to lose points too. Missing a cone, for instance, costs the number of points labeled on that cone. He or she with the most points wins. Trophies were awarded to first, second and third place finishers in four classes.

Once again we offered a terrific dinner of tri tip, potato salad (trademark homemade), garlic bread and salad.

We made a few changes this year to accommodate what we learned last year. The date was earlier in the month, to stay clear of the fire season, but not so early that we’d conflict with the East Bay Hi-Tailers dinner dance in mid April. The route was customized to allow easier travelling for the 4X4 vehicles that had a hard time in 2008. We offered the very popular “dash plaques” as mementos for participants. We awarded passenger trophies to point accruing rails, glass bodies and 4x4’s.

We learned more lessons about how to make this event more successful.  More advance notice, more advertising, more marketing. And maybe more effort to cajole other groups in the area to attend.

This is a fun day for all who came and for all of us who worked to host. Bill Salmon sold two more CORVA memberships so we had a small success for CORVA too!

 We will continue to host this rally and hope that more of our Northern California friends will support our efforts when we try again May, 2010.

Note: Escarabajo Buggy Club is bay area based. Chartered in 1968, our members are a multi generation  group of off road families. The original by laws required ownership (or under construction) of a VW based buggy. Over the years we have updated our by laws and changed our requirements to invite “active” members who enjoy off roading. The focus has shifted from a single type of vehicle, to the people/families who enjoy the sport. We are diverse in our economic status and our political outlook as well as our toys. We are learning, born of necessity, to focus on what we have in common and not worry so much about where we differ.