Basin dominates comments on OHVs

Stacy Moore

SAN BERNARDINO — The Board of Supervisors’ vote to amend San Bernardino County’s off-road ordinance Tuesday came after several members of the public, most of them from the Morongo Basin, spoke both for and against the amendment.

Victoria Fuller of Joshua Tree predicted if the staging-permit is removed, “Any property could become a de facto OHV park.”

Neighbors who report nuisance off-roaders, Jack Fuller of Joshua Tree warned, are at risk of being harassed.

“Intimidation and retaliation are common for people who register complaints,” he said, calling the permit process “a necessary shield,” since it enables code officers to check on properties without referring to a complaint from a neighbor.

“The staging portion of the ordinance is one of only a very few tools available to a very few code enforcement officers who have way too many miles to cover,” Larraine Turk of Joshua Tree said. “So why diminish their ability to effectively do their job?”

“With only four code-enforcement officers, it is deceptive or insane to think they will be able to respond to the OHV problems that will ensue if the staging permit is removed,” declared another speaker.

Other Basin residents agreed with Mitzelfelt and Derry that the permit infringes on their property rights.

Jenny Doling, an attorney in Yucca Valley, urged the supervisors to protect family recreation opportunities and businesses that profit from off-roading.

Mark Howlett, a member of Friends of Giant Rock and other off-roading groups, said the staging permit is prohibitive for him, since his immediate family alone has 18 people.

He dismissed claims the staging permit has improved the quality of life for off-roaders’ neighbors.

“Any reduction in code violations that we’re hearing about has less to do with the staging ordinance and more to do with increased code enforcement and education,” he contended.

Charlie Pessa agreed with Howlett’s assessment that the permit requirement “penalizes families.”

“The permit limits a right to assemble for a particular group; that’s a fundamental right,” Pessa said.

“We have private-property rights and they seem to be ignored,” Kathy Hawkins agreed.

Summarized Ray Pessa, president of the off-roading advocacy group Friends of Giant Rock, “I’ve got a real problem not being able to welcome my friends and family to my home, and being subject to government intervention. Not in this county and not in this country.”

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Source: http://www.hidesertstar.com/articles/2010/03/24/news/doc4baa30559cad5896837581.txt

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