and Miss A.G.!

How come no mention of CORVA?


DESERT SPORT - Off-roaders ride across the desert toward encampments of motor homes and trailers scattered northeast of California City's center.


Off-road riders say thanks to Cal City
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press
Friday, March 6, 2009.

http://avpress.com/n/06/0306_s5.hts


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CALIFORNIA CITY - Thousands of off-road enthusiasts from far and wide enjoy the city's miles of desert trails, and especially a trail into the city's business center approved in the fall.
Several of those riders, from as far away as Orange County and Simi Valley, attended Tuesday's City Council meeting to voice their support of the trail and to thank the city for welcoming visitors from the off-highway vehicle community.

The subject was not on the council agenda, but a call from local promoter Lou Peralta brought out riders from across Southern California to address the council during the public comment period, which grew into an hourlong session.

In addition to those who appeared in person, Peralta also alerted the council to the large number of letters and e-mails supporting OHV use in Cal City.

The OHV community considers the city "a destination point that's unlike any other place," he said.

The trail into the city, approved by the council in September, was opened on a provisional basis, subject to council review by June 1.

While a boon to the businesses at the end of the trail, the actions of some riders have drawn complaints from residents, specifically that riders do not remain on the designated trails as well as noise complaints.

The riders who spoke acknowledged the problems and pledged to aid efforts to educate and police their fellow riders.

"Please don't let the 1% of the knuckleheads destroy it for the rest of us," one Burbank resident told the council.

One frequent visitor from Orange County has been coming to Cal City for 32 years, camping with family and friends.

"I fell in love with this place," he said. "I'm one person and I've got more memories (of visiting Cal City) than you can shake a stick at."

His story was echoed by many others who recalled decades of family trips to the area.

"There's no place like Cal City in the western United States. I hope the council will take those things into consideration," he said.

A Simi Valley business owner who has been riding in the area for some 40 years commended the council for its aggressive efforts to attract visitors and allowing them to spend money in the community via the OHV trail.

"I've sent thousands of people out here. We beat into them to obey the rules," he said. "You have given us a mecca. Hats off to you."

More than one speaker told of how their frequent and enjoyable visits to Cal City prompted them to buy homes and property in the city.

One Los Angeles businessman is even looking to bring an unspecified business to the city "specifically because of what you've done with the OHV ordinance," he said. "It is attracting people like us."

Resident Rhonda Vazquez, a self-described "detractor," cautioned off-roaders about abusing the city's hospitality.

Prefacing her remarks with "I am not anti-OHV, nor have I ever been," Vazquez calmly explained the growing discontent among some residents.

"All of you who have stood up here and said you enjoy our community, we do too," she said. "You come and visit. We live here on a daily basis. We welcome you to our community; we welcome your dollars to our community.

"However, as it stands, it's really not working for a lot of the citizens. There needs to be some fine-tuning done because a lot of us are getting angry. It is turning into the all or nothing, and it shouldn't be," she said.

Vazquez noted that while the city's police force is tasked with enforcing the OHV laws, with only 16 officers, managing the thousands of visitors who arrive on a typical weekend is difficult.

She cautioned that the sentiment is in danger of becoming an "us against them" situation and asked the off-roaders to work with the council and citizens to come up with a workable solution for all.

"You are guests in our home; please treat our home accordingly," she said.

Vazquez was careful to assert, however, that the situation is not hopeless.

"We can work together," she said. "You need to do your part and start policing each other. We can't do it alone. Together we can do it."

Local supporters and detractors - including Vazquez - said they understand that local riders are often the problem, including many who mistakenly believe they may take city streets from their homes to the desert trails.

"We're having trouble with our locals," Councilman Mike Edmiston said, including those who have neglected to acquire their free permits from the California City Police Department.

Edmiston estimated the problems caused by visiting riders are less than 5% of the total complaints.

Cal City resident and OHV activist Ed Waldheim, who helped establish, mark and maintain the trail with the Friends of Jawbone organization, acknowledged some unanticipated "holes" in the trail markings. However, those have been addressed as they have been discovered.

"We buttoned everything up," he said.

Waldheim, who is active in city activities, said it was his own experiences with off-roading that brought him to Cal City in the first place.

"I would never on this earth have been here without off-roading," he said.

Wayne Nosala, another city resident and member of Friends of Jawbone, said he is a third-generation off-roader who moved here four years ago to enjoy his hobby.

"We knew there were going to be some problems from the get-go, and we're working on them," he said. "I'm all ears. If there's a complaint I'll hear it, and we'll try to fix it."

Nosala often spends weekends in the popular riding areas, giving directions and informing visitors of the rules.

"It's almost a full-time job," he said.