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Our Opinion: Making a Difference - Four Paws at a Time
Deidre Morrison, of the Lake Isabella Animal Shelter in Southlake, needs the community’s help.
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Our Opinion: What is newsworthy?
From the blogs:
More of this storyRex Emerson
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Letters
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Let’s work together toward the benefit of all
It is troubling to me that we forest users cannot just get along and work toward beneficial goals instead of bickering and blowing out of proportion the issues that are not important anyway. I wish that non-OHV users would take the time to understand that most OHV riders are enviromentalists too.
More of this storyThe Kern County Planning Commission and Verizon want to quietly slip a cell phone tower into our neighborhood.
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Letter from the newly elected Mayor
My name is Tony Plante, Tenderfoot Tony, and I was just elected Mayor of Whiskey Flat. Now pretty much everyone knows that this is just an honorary title and with it just comes some little P.R. work for the community. But as the newly elected I feel I have a responsibility to expose to our community how some of this process works.
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Land of the free, not the land of free handouts
We are told that illegal immigrants are coming here to work. If that is the case then why are there people on unemployment? Is it because they make more on unemployment than they can doing work beneath their inflated stature? If that is the case then let them become truly hungry.
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Travel Management Plan flawed
Re: “Negativity has no place” Letters, 2/3/10Why would it be inappropriate for any organization to solicit comments from the public about negative impacts from motorized vehicles off paved roads in the National Forests, especially given the various Executive Orders to the Forest Service about minimizing conflicts between trail users? These are legitimate public safety questions and solicitations which should be shared to inform the agency of user-conflict that multiple use trails have already caused.
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Cal Water rate hearing in Kernville
The Public Utilities Commission has scheduled a meeting at the Kernville Chamber of Commerce building on Thursday, Feb. 18, to receive public input regarding an application by the California Water Service Company (Cal Water) to increase rates by more than 25 percent over the next three years. Several months ago, when these rate increases were first proposed, Cal Water held an informational meeting at the Moose Lodge in Lake Isabella. Unfortunately, it was solely an opportunity for Cal Water to present their issues and that no minutes were being recorded and that no customer concerns were to be taken back to Cal Water’s Senior Management. While their intentions may have been honorable, it seemed as if the meeting was planned to defuse public concerns before the real review process occurred by letting the public vent their frustration “yelling down Cal Water’s well,” but with nobody listening but us!
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Accusations false, unfounded
Re: “Negativity has no place” Letters, 2/3/10Mr. Horgan claimed that “The ForestKeepers agreed to pull their negative campaign when the Forest Service told them it was inappropriate to solicit negative comments during a collaborative trail planning process.” This is false. No such comment was ever made to SFK by the Forest Service, and the comments collected were intended to keep hiking trails designated as such.
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An open letter to AltaOne CEO Bob Boland
Thank you, thank you, thank you! It’s been a week, five days that we have been able to access the Kernville branch of Alta One for one hour a day. To most folks it doesn’t seem like enough, but the members and owners in Kernville, River Kern & Upper River as well as Wofford Heights, are very appreciative.
More of this storyI am appalled at the letters written lately bashing Stewards. If we did not have his help and support we would not have the trails and roads we have open at this time for recreational use. I have been living in the area for 30 years. In those 30 years I have hiked, biked, xcountry skied, down hill skied, snowmobiled, and now I am a offroad motorcycle rider. The reason I have to ride a motorcycle now is that, I was disabled in 2000 and thought I would never get to see the trails I enjoyed daily. My husband bought me a little motorcycle and it is my life to be able to ride on the trails that Stewards has fought to keep open. When I am on the trails I rarely see another sole. I really do not see a problem with all of us trying to work together in stead of slamming a group fighting for all of us to be able to enjoy are Forest together. In those 30 years, I have never felt like there was any kind of danger from any offroad vehicle etc.. I think if you are out on trails or roads doing any kind of recreation, you should be aware of your surroundings and if you feel in danger I think you better find another sport.
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Majority of public land is off limits to OHV
Regarding OHV use in the Forest, let’s remember a few things. The vast majority of public lands (80 percent ?) is off limits to OHV use. These areas are presumably for those who want a wilderness experience. You won’t find trails there that are maintained, but you will find trash from hikers and other “nature lovers.”
More of this storyThe Sequoia Forest Service has announced their intention to implement Fixed Date Seasonal Closure of 181 miles of mid to high altitude roads and trails from Dec. 31 to April 15 due to snow accumulations that may or may not occur each year.
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Living Green KRV to shift its fundraising efforts
Kern River Valley Revitalization (KRVR) is busy organizing the 2nd annual Living Green KRV Festival, set for March 17 to 21. Cash donations provide for supplies and keeping almost all of the events free.
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Hot chocolate warms hearts and bodies
The Kern Valley Sheriff’s Activities League would like to thank Scotty’s Texaco and Mini Mart in Wofford Heights, and specifically Linda Baker for their kindness and generosity. After our annual snow trip on Saturday morning, the Scotty’s Texaco and Mini Mart crew gave our members and volunteers between 35-40 cups of fresh hot chocolate. Thank you Scotty’s Texaco and Mini Mart for the support of the Kern Valley Sheriff’s Activities League.
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Lake access for disabled a must
As a disabled person with a fishing license (one of thousands) I’m going to be pretty ticked off if I can’t get down to the lake. If an exception isn’t made for the disabled to be able to get down to the lake side to fish, I will be taking the USFS to court. We need to get together and start a non-profit “Friends of the Lake” it worked for hot springs.
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Fuller voices concerns about plaintiff statements
Honorable Patrick Marlette
More of this storyFor five years Sequoia National Forest has been working with the public on a Travel Plan to determine which roads and trails will continue to allow multiple use or motorized use. About four years ago in an effort to close more roads and trails, a local group called the Sequoia ForestKeepers started a campaign encouraging people to submit letters telling about conflicts or negative experiences with Off Highway Vehicles.
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Disappointed in newspaper coverage
My name is Tony Plante and I was just voted Honorary Mayor of Whiskey Flat Days. I have a bone to pick with the papers of the valley.
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Stop out-of-control recreation fees
All public land recreationists owe a huge thank you to the Idaho Congressional delegation for forcefully coming out in opposition to the horrible anti-democratic USFS proposal to eliminate the 50 percent discount for seniors and disabled for National Forest campgrounds. Yet this is only the tip of an ugly iceberg. It is crucial to note that USFS is caving in to massive pressure from profit-driven campground contractors. They propose handing over yet more campgrounds to concessionaires while also exempting them from honoring golden eagle passes – patently illegal.
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Thanks for the family fun, History Flats Days
“Callin’ All Cowboys” 2010 was a switchboard descendant of local history and friendly fun. An “Old Timers” celebration is what Lloree Knowles tells me, she originally suggested to the Kernville Business Association in 1957. Bob Powers writes in North Fork Country that Lloree (local realtor and go-getter business woman) continued for more than 25 years as an organizer of Whiskey Flat Days.
More of this storyWow! What a great experience it has been being involved in this years race for Whiskey Flat Mayor!
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‘Dire straits’ or not keep local Youth Center open
I just found out the Kern River Valley Youth Center on Golden Spur is in “dire straits.” The Board of Directors might have to sell the facility. No more Youth Center? No!! It’s the only place in town that caters to teens for dances, skateboarding and many other events. The building is also available to rent for meetings, classes, adult dances, dinners or other social functions for a nominal and minimal and small fee. Let’s keep this great spot that is available to the public open for our pleasure. There are no other places like it in the Kern River Valley! Volunteer to assist with the kids after school or at their dances - or rent it!
More of this storyPeople do not always pray in words. Actions can be prayers; a fast, a vigil, a vision quest, a sacred run, a sun dance, or a bear dance.
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Columns
Belated Valentine Advice
Jackie Papandrew
More of this storyMatt Freeman
More of this storyGeorge Stahl
More of this storyBrandon Muncy
More of this storyKernville Jill
More of this storyDaniel Pope
More of this storyJackie Papandrew
More of this storyBrandon Muncy
More of this storyBob Powers
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For your privvy reading pleasure
Kernville Jill
More of this storyGeorge Stahl
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Devoted pets deserve loving farewell
Marsha Smith
More of this storyPastor Jim Beilstein
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Daniel Pope
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