State Capitol Meeting info

[andymoto]

With D-36 Pres. Dave Pickett in attendance, there was only a group of "six" people. We waited for others to show for an amount of time and a couple in the group wore a hat or tee shirts to show that we were part of the group.

I cant give a total that showed up to what was a meeting in a room inside the Capitol, but well over 100 were there. But only six showed from our area.. For something that's been known about for some time now, pretty disappointing.

The Green Sticker Program is scheduled to expire on July 1, 2008.

Ed Waldheim, President of CORVA, after being on the OHV Commission for many years is trying to "get his old job back" at the commission for us. The Governor does NOT control most of the appointments to over 90% of the over 300 boards and commissions. Most in the commission are Sierra Club types and YOUR involvement as a voter is needed to contact your local and state leaders so Mr. Waldheim has a chance.

To find your state and local legislator, you must know your "NINE" digit zip code-(go to USPS - ZIP Code Lookup - Search By Address) and type in your address and should tell you what it is-then go to Project Vote Smart - American Government, Elections, Candidates and Voting, enter the 9 digit zip code and it will tell you who you state legislators and U.S. Senators are. Please at minimum to this so you can contact these leaders by e-mail, phone or even meet (like I will meet both Sen. Steinberg and Assemblymember Dave Jones, another greenies, in person) and respectfully tell them you are supporting off road recreational opportunities and that the funds you PAY for in the form of a Green Sticker STAY in the off road community because too much is being apportioned to restoration and conservation projects.Youre tax dollars being used for other reasons. If you dont at least find out who your lawmakers are, might as well hand them your wallet, checkbook credit cards, you know and tell them to quit stealing from us and leave Sticker money where it's suppose to go- OHV parks. No where else.

There's a Senate Bill 742 that is authored by State Senator Darrell Steinberg and Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, the Chairs of the respective committees that deal with off road recreation. Senator Steinberg is a Sacramento area Democrat and if he is your State Senator, as he is mine, were in trouble in my opinion, cause in my opinion he supports environmental causes in a degree that troubles me.

There are weekly meetings that the off road community is negotiating with the committee staff and others that share a stake in this to see if an agreement can be reached on the "language" of the bill. What the bill says and means and how its implemented.

If were going to pay higher fees, like the Green Sticker fund (and park entrance fees and other fees), we need to be sure that SB 742 addresses the OHV communities needs. Tell your lawmakers to make sure the bill addresses the off road rider needs and not those that are NOT off road members.

So that means if you dont vote-Register right now. Local DMV offices should have forms.

EVERYONE that is a voter on this website should be active, find out who your lawmakers in the State are and at minimum send an e-mail or a phone call stating that you are an off road rider and want the Green Sticker money YOU pay to go to the off road recreational need in our state, which are growing.

Thanks Scott Davis of E-street MX/SDMX and Todd Nelson of the new, soon to be opened California Motocross Park for coming despite their hectic schedules. Riders should support these gentlemen by riding at their tracks and say thanks to them for showing up and truly caring about our rights as riders to ride, race and recreate. I certainly would support anyone that shows up to support causes like this one.

And Will Davis, Paul and Matt Elkins right on. And Dave Pickett, D-36 Legislative Leader, thanks.

Everyone on NorCal, chip in and at minimum, find out who your state lawmakers are; e-mail, write, call, meet in person-Us six and the rest from California that showed up turns into quite a big list of supporters for the OHV system that sends the message to those who keep wanting to shut us up and shut us down as well. Lawmakers know numbers speak louder than words and your vote does matter. Remember to always be respective to them, even though many think otherwise.

Please be pro-active. Go to www.corva.org(Ed Walheim) and California League of Off Road Voters (California League of Off Road Voters) websites, say thanks and join if you can. Also goes for D-36, AMA. More the better.

You don't even need to leave home to be of help and we need ALL the help we can get. No excuse for contacting these lawmaker and make it known that you pay for the right to use these lands or you'll vote for someone else that does.

[hrlyman]

Very good information Andy!!!!.... sounds like you were taking notes!

I would like to just say that this was a sorry day for Off-Roading in this State.... Because I know there has got to be at least 30-40% of the total population of the State of California that recreates using off-road vehicles and only about 100-150 people showed up at this State Captiol today to represent that percentage of users of this land. All but 6 of those people (in the Assembly Hearing room) were NOT motorcycle riders. For those that tryed and couldnt find where everything was going on, I am truly sorry for your investment in time and not being able to be a part of the happenings.

I must say that I was astounded that there was not alot more going on outside of the captiol with District 36 and District 37 and all the many other organizations, associations, clubs and otherwise that could have made this a much larger event than it was. I mean there was more to do about CANADA DAY IN CALIFORNIA out front with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in full dress then there was motorcycles!!!! There was 3 bikes out front when I showed up!!!!! sad very sad.

Anyway, Andy got everything listed you need to do .... that you can do from the comfort of your own home without having to experience any stress or strain from actually getting off your a$$ and doing something for yourself.

One thing that was said during the speaches today that stayed with me and that is; that everything that is done within our government is done in encrements and stages, and that battels are won and lost and although we may not win all the battles, we regroup and attack it from another direction and try again. This is going to be a continual battle for the right to ride on PUBLIC TAXPAYER OWNED PROPERTY and if you arent willing to doing some of the fighting then you should probably pack it in and go find something else to do (maybe golf). Also, those of you making a living off of all of us doing this sport and working to protect our sport should do the same if you arent willing to back us up also.

In the end you can choose to either:

1) just ride until everything in the state is closed down, and then give up riding.

or

2) Get involved to ensure that you will always have a place to ride in the future.


I want to personally thank Scott Davis and Todd Nelson for showing up and being the people that they are. True supporters of this SPORT.

[jenn022]

Like I said on the other thread, the lack of response is frustrating, I am also a rock climber and I have witnessed the closure of many of my favorite climbing areas by environmentalists. We just don't have many places left to go, unless you are fortuante enough own property you need to protect your rights.

Thanks for the info and I will share it with those I know are responsible members of the motorcycle community who will do something about it. It's all about keeping people informed.

[tractionaction]

I want to thank those who made an effort to keep our riding areas open. I for one was unable to attend (my bad)

I know there will be more battles in the future and given more notice I would be able to attend one of these meetings.

Of course we need to band to gether and have the info provided as best as possible. Perhaps a sticky thread would help.

[KTM250Fun]

Isn't it amazing, not enough people are willing to do anything about it. I guess thats why the enviros can do what ever they want. It is frustrating to have to fight for things you should not have to fight for. Its not there land and its not there money.
I was really expecting a crowd at the capitol and was very surprised and disappointed to see no one.
I also ride sand dunes and they are shrinking those to. Talk about big biz, well im sure you all know how big dune riding is and the money people spend doing it.

[NOR*CAL54]

Would putting together a petition be a good idea?

[motokid40]

I just sent this to my assemblywoman and Senator

Dear Ms.Wolk, I am a resident of Yolo County and lived here most all my life and an avid dirt bike rider and finally heard enough of our moneys(green sticker funds) going to things other than securing off road recreational areas not environmental causes that have nothing to do with allowing OHV use. Now I'm told Senate bill SB 742, that you authored deals with this specifically and I urge you to vote for Pro-OHV values not environmentalist looking to take "OUR" money to further there cause. I am a registered voter as well as my two sons of who also ride and will be watching this issue closely. I voted you into the Assembly, now please do the right thing. I would like a response from you. ThankYou,

Jim Moe
2135 Hickory Way

[andymoto]

Originally Posted by NOR*CAL54

Would putting together a petition be a good idea?

Look at the LACK of threads that show really most don't give a darn.

Someone volunteer? Lack of threads for Foresthill shows all most care about is riding, not keeping the areas open. I believe you have to have "paid" signature gatherers and what subject are we going to use to get the people to sign?

It's like me, who's physically unable to ride like I wish, why should I go for those who don't care? It's obvious like Magoo said, industry doesn't care.

Scott Davis and Todd Nelson didn't have to come; why? They have tracks that don't need OHV funding. You should show your thanks by supporting their tracks; say thanks next time you see them.

Because they, me, Will, Paul and Matt care about the future of dirt biking.

I'll see if we can do a petition and what the rules are?

It's good at least someone has sent a comment; but always remember to be respective. Thanks Mr. Moe.

One need to be a thousand, tens, hundreds of thousands? Be active.

Look at Paul's thread; lots has changed since the technology rush.

[hrlyman]

Kern County in SoCal has a Petition gathering excercise going on for some closures in their area.

This may be a good model for what we may have to get started up here in the Norcal area for both Foresthill and Mammoth bar:

Kern Specific Plan Marginalizes OHV Use Petition : [ powered by iPetitions.com ]

[NOR*CAL54]

So a petition could even be done online.