Let me begin by saying I am for the off-highway vehicle ordinance. I believe it is needed. If the property owners within the county find it necessary to call for assistance from law enforcement to enforce it then so be it. But it is not the solution for the real problems, erosion and illegal dumping the erosion caused by construction, vineyards, land development and motorcycle riding in some areas. We need not explain the illegal dumping.
Responding to Greg Cornish (“OHVs are a nuisance,” Aug. 5), I do hear the calls (to law enforcement) that are generated from Nice. I also know that the amount of riding in that area has been greatly reduced. I cannot comment on the fact that some of today”s youth lack in the practice of respect for others but I know that not all riders are “discourteous.”
In fact some of those alleged discourteous riders volunteered to help with a cleanup day to remove the trash that was left behind from the illegal dumping in the Nice area. I believe there were at least 15-20 volunteers. These volunteers donated their time, their trucks and their trailers. You may not believe this but they wanted to go out and do it again the next day. I don”t remember seeing Mr. Cornish”s name on the list but please join us for the next cleanup day and meet some of those discourteous riders.
As for the applause he said I received from OHV riders at a public meeting, it was not because I am condoning the behavior. It is because I have taken the time to organize the riders and gave them something to believe in as well as help clean up the environment. Bottom line: we need to find them a place to ride legally. We need to inform them and teach them they can make a difference in preventing erosion and deter illegal dumping so that their children can enjoy the bountiful natural resources our county has to offer. Mr. Cornish, that is what this is all about and it”s not about me.
Frank Gudmundson
Upper Lake
