lanerd
Ridgecrest, CA
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I recently ran across this following article from the Ridgecrest Daily Independent. Does anyone know if any further actions were taken or if the problem still exists?
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By Nathaniel Liedl
Daily Independent
Thu Jun 26, 2008, 07:57 PM PDT
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Ridgecrest, Calif. -
Randsburg residents are stirred up over the dust and noise being stirred up when Off Highway Vehicle riders come into their town every weekend.
First District Supervisor Jon McQuiston broached residents of the “living ghost town” at Johannesburg’s Community Center Wednesday afternoon with a proposal to remedy OHV use issues in Randsburg by dedicating a portion of Butte and Broadway Avenues to connect as a route through the town. The portion would be “non-county maintained” and all other trails or roads would be “off limits” to OHV users, McQuiston said. But the proposal did little to mollify residents. In a straw poll taken by the Supervisor, some two-thirds said it was a poor solution.
“I don’t approve of the dust. I don’t approve of all the noise. And I don’t approve of having to watch the boys take a leak on the wall,” said Randsburg resident Jenny Bigelow to applause from the 50-plus in attendance. “...I’d appreciate enforcement of all the laws the same.”
Several residents revealed sordid tales of public urination, defecation, nudity, and fighting by OHV users outside the General Store and White House Saloon on Butte Avenue. Another source of the residents’ unease: OHV users are not required by law to have their vehicles insured. Some of those riders are as young as six years-old, according to those in attendance.
“I’m not against the off roaders. I’m against the illegal access they’re trying to make through the town,” said Tom Brown, a Johannesburg resident. As an alternative to McQuiston’s proposal, Brown advocated a parking lot designated for OHVs on each end of Randsburg. Forcing riders to walk into town would mitigate noise and dust issues, the latter which prompts arsenic concerns.
Kern County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Sgt. Tyson Davis, who is responsible for serving the Ridgecrest substation and outlying areas, said he has “noticed an increase of off road traffic coming into Randsburg.” Over Thanksgiving weekend, the traffic was “very unmanageable,” Davis said. Hundreds, even thousands of riders can be found on trails around Randsburg on holiday weekends. Recognizing it is “impossible to make everybody happy,” Davis said the county’s goal is to “create a good system to route people into town” and through town “with the least impact.”
Resident Gary Ives went as far to ask residents to “close” Randsburg to OHV use, “I see no reason to have these vehicles in Randsburg as you would have none in Bakersfield,” Ives said to McQuiston and other county staff present at the meeting.
Susan Zamora, while no fan of bikers in Randsburg, called an altogether ban “ridiculous.” Without OHV use, Randsburg would “shrivel up and die.”
Ed Waldheim, Vice President of Friends of Jawbone, was one of just a couple voices in support of OHV riders. Off-roading is a “way of life” and a “healthy thing to do” for kids and family, Waldheim said. He called the incidences of public urination and other improprieties “deplorable.” Friends of Jawbone provided two toilets on a recent holiday weekend and plans to bring in more, he said.
“We want to be good neighbors. Are we having problems? Yes...people have to learn the rules and we agree with you 100 percent,” Waldheim told the crowd.
McQuiston emphasized no decision has been made and any recommendation must be approved by the Board of Supervisors. He “anticipated” a proposal will be brought to the Board within 60-90 days. Once it does, McQuiston encouraged citizens to participate in the meeting by either traveling to Bakersfield or to Ridgecrest, where the public can make comments by teleconference at the county offices.
“I’d rather do it right the first time if we’re going to do anything at all,” said McQuiston, while noting riding season begins in the fall.
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Thanks..
Ron
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Trailer Trash 2
Santa Fe Springs, CA
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Thats how it all happened at Pismo Beach just about the same way, all the people living on the beach close to sand center started complaining about all the noise and fights in front of there beach homes, now look at it it isn't worth the drive up there.
I'll bet the same will happen at Randsberg, a little at a time then nada. the same for Glamis that isn't the same anymore either.
There will be those few that have had to much liquid throttle and start things that the local residents dont like or want in there city, or county.
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rcchallenger
La Mirada, California
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I rode into Randsburg during the last New Years weekend. It was pretty crazy that weekend so I can kind of sympathize with some of the residents' concerns.
It's a ride we make everytime we are at Cal City and is a cool place to go. I hope they don't close it to OHV. Randsburg makes a lot of money from the OHV community. It would be a shame if they don't find a fair alternative that allows the off road folks to ride into town and spend our hard earned cash. Seems like the residents may be "cutting off their nose to spite their face."
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BobWanderer
Perris,Calif,USA
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I read a similar article in our newspaper, seems like the residents blame the OHV crowd for stiring up the dust which has Arsenic in it.
The problem as I see it, only a few of the residents "profit" from our visits. I hope they come up with a plan that works for both sides, I like to visit and have a snack and cold one, but I DO avoid big holiday weekends.
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Richard cheese
take her out to Wasco and Shafter
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funny...you hear of all the negative...and yes, those are bad.....but i didnt read anything about how much money randsburg and its residents make from off-roaders..
i believe enforcement is the key. public urination should be a fine (either way the city still gets money)nudity..........a fine....public drunkeness.....hoskow
this came from my wife, verbatum, as i was attempting to pull off the beach last sunday, and all the daytrippers are right up to the water's edge
".........unfortunately, this sport is dominated by a bunch of uncooperative rednecks that possess no social skills..........."
at first, i was mad, but the drive home gave me time to reflect on that statement, and to a point, she is right.
law enforcement is the key, imo....make an example out of a couple hundred people...word spreads real fast amongst the off road crowd on their forums
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fly-boy
Los Angeles, CA
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I agree with everything said except for the public nudity-
That part is okay!
As long as they are not fat people- Fat people should only be allowed to doing it in public after sunset and/or prior to sunrise!
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mapguy
Puget Sound
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Richard cheese wrote:.....this came from my wife, verbatum, as i was attempting to pull off the beach last sunday, and all the daytrippers are right up to the water's edge
".........unfortunately, this sport is dominated by a bunch of uncooperative rednecks that possess no social skills..........."
Cheese -she has it right. LE can work but like everything in our system of gobernment the swing in direction will be an overcompensation if implemented.
Map Guy
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Macs Dad
SoCal
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fly-boy wrote:I agree with everything said except for the public nudity-
That part is okay!
As long as they are not fat people- Fat people should only be allowed to doing it in public after sunset and/or prior to sunrise!
Or naked hairy people. Or better yet, naked fat hairy people. No naked hairy fat people. 
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rcchallenger
La Mirada, California
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Macs Dad wrote:fly-boy wrote:I agree with everything said except for the public nudity-
That part is okay!
As long as they are not fat people- Fat people should only be allowed to doing it in public after sunset and/or prior to sunrise!
Or naked hairy people. Or better yet, naked fat hairy people. No naked hairy fat people.
Except those that shave their NASCAR number into their back hair. That should be acceptable 
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nayther
Burbank, CA
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Keep us posted on this, sure would hate to loose Randsburg. One of the few "destination rides" where you can get a sasparilla and burger and soak in the feel of a 100+ year old saloon.
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