Meetings over the past week or so...

[JeepRecoveryTeam]

There is already a recap of the 7/1 FOJV Meeting floating around. Another development since that point is that I'm forming an advisory board. It will be made up of the leaders of the OHV stakeholder groups. NAXJA and District 37 are already on board. I will be talking to CORVA, Cal4Wheel, ORBA and BRC as well. The intent is provide a network of communication directly from our working group up through the National groups regarding strategy and direction. That communication will most assuredly be a two way street. That board is reciprocated by the inclusion of FOJV in the Offroad Leadership Group that comprises most, if not all, the National and Regional Offroad orginizations. FOJV is the first 'Friends Of' group to have that opportunity.

On July 2nd a group of local interested parties met with the Partnership for Johnson Valley. PFJV has structured itself as an umbrella group speaking to/for the needs of ALL interested stakeholders, both OHV and non. PFJV is looking directly to the Friends of Johnson Valley for all things OHV based. As a result of the July 2nd strategy meeting, several efforts are taking root regarding both our short term and long term plan of action. Stay tuned because there will be several things on the horizon that will need our full support.

This week, a subteam of individuals from PFJV including myself met the BLM to ascertain the facts around both the Military and Alternative Power iniatives. The Barstow office did resume accepting applications for both Solar and Wind power projects after a brief moratorium. The military has not yet filed a Notice of Withdrawl. The basic process that will be followed:

1) The Military will file a "Request for Withdrawl"

2) At such time, the BLM will be obligated to cease authorizing new agreements for long term use of the land inside of the 'requested' area. This will not affect event permits in the short term. Only new 'permanent' uses for the land... ie alternative power projects. The obligation only exists for the area that the Military includes in it's scope.

3) The Military will need to conduct an Environmental Impact Study on all scoped areas. That is our opporunity to affect the process from within. It is important to note that the whole decision will still lie in the hands of our Congressional Represenatives. We need to take EVERY opportunity to express our concerns to them as well. I will personally be working with the OHV Leadership Group and PFJV to develop a concerted plan so that we can be as effective as possible.

4) After the EIS, the Military will make it's request to Congress. At that point it's up to them.


This is the 100,000 foot level, there are many details that I'm learning about on a daily basis. I am very fortunate that people with a significant amount of experience in these matters are standing by our side.

Today we had a public meeting with Military. It is very apparent that they are considering the information we have presented. I truly believe that we have an opportunity to resolve the Marines needs and still maintain the area that we love.

Look for a more detailed recount of today's meeting in the next day or two from PFJV.

If anyone ever has any questions about what is going on, or how they can get involved, please feel free to email/PM/call me at your convenience.

Talk to you all soon and see you at the top of Jack.

Dave Cole

[randii]

Great work, Dave -- you have a strong team around you, and you're no slouch! The advisory board is an especially good idea, which makes a whole lotta sense, especially with the many different user groups, organizations, and industries that are invested in JV.

Randii

[Captain Ron]

Originally Posted by JeepRecoveryTeam

...

PFJV has structured itself as an umbrella group speaking to/for the needs of ALL interested stakeholders, both OHV and non.

...

Overstepping? Overstating?

Nah, that's never happened with this group of self important, exclusive, retards with no money, no standing, and no one of any real congessional push.

--ron

[Jeff Knoll]

Originally Posted by Captain Ron

Overstepping? Overstating?

Nah, that's never happened with this group of self important, exclusive, retards with no money, no standing, and no one of any real congessional push.

--ron

Not sure what you mean by that, could you explain to a no money, no standing, no congressional connection, retard? Its important to me to fully understand.

[RedBullJeep]

Originally Posted by Captain Ron

Overstepping? Overstating?

Nah, that's never happened with this group of self important, exclusive, retards with no money, no standing, and no one of any real congessional push.

--ron

And you and your friends / representatives have done WHAT so far regarding Johnson Valley??? If it's just NAXJA that is your close circle, they are bust ass and dedicated workers but they can't take on as large of a scope of this project as it truly deserves...this effort takes everyone working together but if you hadn't noticed, months and months rolled by without anyone doing jack shit, so Dave (FOJV) and PFJV took the time to try to do something.

After PFJV got its rough start, they opened their doors after hearing how disappointed people were with how they went about their initial organisation. Now, EVERYONE is welcome to work with them and there are "ambassadors" (my words, not theirs) that are communicating within the different groups that make up a massive cross-section of JV users, including rocketeers/geo-cachers/land-sailers/rockhouds/miners/film industry/local residents/etc. And who else is doing that??? Not you, and not your representatives, so back off.

Last week, PFJV was preparing for a military follow-up and contacted people from pretty much every organisation to get the best follow-up presentation possible. NAXJA even was involved. ORBA had a chance but didn't have time to respond so Advanstar / Off Road Business Magazine stepped up in a BIG way with detailed info about the businesses relating to Off Road and facts that make it easier to show how JV closing would affect the entire industry. That's just one example...there are a ton of top people now involved with PFJV and those very people are communicating industry-wide.

In short, you don't know what PFJV has evolved into and it's something different than most people think. The idea is to represent locally and with the Marines while others with the bigger ties can do what they do best (state and National). There's room for all but your comments only try to tear it all apart. Go do something unproductive somewhere else as there's no room for bullshit like you're spewing in a battle where we're trying to save something we love so much. In fact, instead of posting your drivel here, why don't you take that time to write another letter that actually helps.

AND, if you're actually referring to FOJV in your rant, vs. PFJV, then you're even further off-base because FOJV hasn't done anything but try to gather information and support for other groups. Everyone within FOJV is even paying their own expenses and trust me, none of us can really afford to do so, yet still give time and money to this cause. There are many that make this selfless donation, including many members of NAXJA and other groups/clubs/and users. Your rant only undermines and takes away from their efforts. THANKS...

[luvrox]

So Ron,
If you are ever able to focus on anything positive your Congrssional rep. is - -


Elton Gallegly
2829 Townsgate Road, Suite 31
Thousand Oaks, CA 91361-3018
(805) 497-2224 ♦ Toll Free: (800) 423-0023

[RedBullJeep]

Ron also seems to be on some trip on NAXJA as well...funny thing is, he seems to be worried about NAXJA giving Dave Cole money to fight for the Hammers yet Dave Cole told NAXJA (after they came to him, not the other way around), "hang onto your money...we don't even know where we could use it at this point." He told them point-blank he's not an expert, is working the grass-roots angle and simply trying to motivate and organise things that the real experts can use, and then if it appears to him something will need funds, he'll bring it to others attention so they can make their own decisions and donations directly.

Ron seems to be grinding some kind of axe yet has no clue what he's talking about. Gotta love guys that speak out and hammer on people that are doing so much, for free, that will make a difference to the very guy that is doing the bitching. Whoever is an associate of Ron...why don't you either get him on the right path or just tell him to get lost as all he's doing is helping the anti-OHV side by stirring up shit in a situation he doesn't know enough about.

Finally, the real sad thing is, Ron is bitching about money being sidelined for Dave (that Dave hasn't even asked for) yet look what Dave and his amazing club has done over the years as far as fundraisers and donations to OTHER clubs and causes go...

Here's a link to the NAXJA thread: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=960185

Post #54, in response to a fundraising BBQ:

Captain Ron
Privateer Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: On the Horizon
Posts: 2,578

Re: New BBQ Fundraiser at the Rock Garden July 26th!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So Rick...

Are you just lining up a bunch of retards to give money to Dave Cole for the hell of it, or is this a jack-off party?

Come to think of it, I'd jack off if Dave would hold the left overs.



Shit, while you are at it, why don't you get matching funds from National. If your gonna jack off, get everyone involved.



--ron__________________

Ummmm, Ron...I don't know that I know you, but man, you've got this all wrong and are painting Dave (FOJV) and PFJV with the wrong brush.

[JeepRecoveryTeam]

Originally Posted by Captain Ron

Overstepping? Overstating?

Nah, that's never happened with this group of self important, exclusive, retards with no money, no standing, and no one of any real congessional push.

--ron

Ron.

I've never met you, that I'm aware of, but you seem to have some pretty strong opinions about me. It never would have occured you were speaking about me, except the no money thing. Friends of Johnson Valley is working with EVERY regional/national offroad group that we can find. BRC, CORVA, AMA (both National and D37), ORBA, Cal4Wheel. We are working with them so we can best leverage the strategic leadership, legal resources, and lobbying power that they ALL have to offer. So you're right, I'm nothing on my own. But FOJV is plenty capable with the manpower we have amassed and the allies and partners we have aligned ourselves with.

I'm doing the best I can to save the place I love. If you've got a better way, I encourage you to show up at a meeting, or even easier, just give me a call.
714 615 8507

Regards,

Dave

[LTCJEEP]

Thanks to Dave,
And all that committed Time to make a difference.

Pm’d you my info, didn’t get a chance to write it down on your
List at the 7-1 meeting, keep up the good work.

Mike

[Broke That]

Anyone's guess as to what is up with Ron is as good as mine. And I call Ron a friend.
But, in any group as large as NAXJA there will always be those whose opinions differ than that of the majority. In the big picture, we call in Democracy.....
Lets not waist time worrying about Ron, he is one, we are many.
And as Dave said, FOJV didn't come to us, we (NAXJA) came to them.

Rick

[RedBullJeep]

There's a difference between "opinion" and "acting like an ass".

Still, we're moving forward as we recognise what's important.

[desertoy]

Don't worry about Ron. I had a similar problem with him a year ago on a Formula Toy issue. He seems to spout off without knowing all the facts. I finally had a phone conversation with him and he backed off after he knew all the facts.

Although I would say that he is being a REALY BIG ASS base on his post. Maybe he's a drinker.

[Broke That]

Originally Posted by desertoy

Don't worry about Ron. Maybe he's a drinker.

He does own his own brewery....

[JeepRecoveryTeam]

Ron and I are cool. It was a case of mistaken identity. He had me confused with Camo.

nothing to see here, carry on.

d

[Pook]

Keep up the good work guys and make sure you let us tourist (who wish the Hammers where in our backyard) know what we can do to help.