Trying to close down Dur-Town

[Prairie Master]

Grizzly gator found this on Durhamtowns Website

http://p209.ezboard.com/fdurhamtownfrm2.showMessage?topicID=1077.topic


 

[Simulcaster]

If this goes through and they shutdown DT in addition to the closings and new laws in California, OHV riding has death knock at its door. I am not familiar with WAGA Fox 5 , but hopefully they will do an honest expose and not paint the wrong picture.

Just like riding a street bike, or even driving a car for that matter you take a chance every day. When will lawmakers realize this is the land of the FREE and we make our own choices.

I can understand if a ficility is running an unsafe operation i.e rebarb sticking out of the track, a water truck pulls onto the track while riders are out..... it is commen sense and the Government at both the local and natinal level has stepped in to make our decisions for us. Whats next, what we eat...oh wait they are already working on that one.

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

[Honda328i]

I don't see the "public safety" people banning alcohol, which coupled with driving a motor vehilce, causes many more deaths per year than anything ATV-related.  Everyone signs a waiver when they ride anyway. 

[Flea_Jumper]

Your right Steve, but the goverment wont take away alcohol because it makes them too much money.  I would ask when they are going to close down Croom?  Oops I forgot the state make a bunch of money off of it.

[Simulcaster]

the more private places they close down then riders are forced to ride on government land. and i would bet government lands have seen their share of injuries and deaths...... A kid died at Holeylands a few months back.......

[digginfool]

The first question I have to ask is how many serious accidents have occurred?  While government is always looking for a way to regulate common sense, they rarely single out a specific facility, let alone an activity, if there isn't a good reason.  There could be other mitigating factors such as hostile neighbors to Durhamtown.  Is there ongoing trespassing of adjacent lands or other obnoxious behavior/activities?  Do I like it?  Heck no.  I have spent over $20,000.00 so my family can enjoy this sport and I resent any riding area being taken away from us.  This hot on the heels of having to sell off $30,000.00 of wave runners because there's no place to ride anymore without a big hassle for the same reasons listed below.  But at some point, we have to start looking at ourselves and saying 'isn't it time to be proactive rather than reactive?'  Folks, I have seen some pretty outlandish behavior at almost every riding location I have ever been to not to mention outright stupidity.  Because most of us are young, we tend to be our own worst enemies.  Why?  Because we don't think about consequences.  My point is, start thinking while you are out there riding.  Start thinking about the consequences of your actions.  Don't be afraid to point out to someone being an idiot that if he continues, he's going to ruin it for everyone.  Pick up your trash and any trash you see around.  Be respectful of other land owners, other riders and non-participants.  As long as people keep acting like idiots, we are going to continue to lose our riding areas and eventually, the privilege to ride at all.  That's right.  Privilege.  Nothing anywhere in 'The Books' guarantees us a place to ride.  So, unless you're sitting on a couple hundred acres of your own riding turf, I suggest you stop being reactive and become proactive to protect this sport.

[Simulcaster]

digginfool,

Well said. Hopefully you did not take my post the wrong way. I am simply stating the fact people are going to get hurt riding that is just the facts. You greratly increase your chance of getting hurt by riding above your skill level and "hot rodding." I do not support either of these activities. You mention Wave Runners, I live on the coast and this activity has been banned as well because of accidents which I am sure include idiots showing off and have no buisness being on the water. There will always be people who try to show off and push the limits, that is part of human nature, but should lawmakers take these activities away because of them. NO. I know everytime I go out on a track or trail I am taking a risk. I wear my safety gear including a chest protector and neck collar, which most choose to go without. I prefer to ride tracks that are mostly table tops to reduce the risk of casing a jump. When on the trails, I study the trail then continue to ride it with more speed but still at a safe level. Even after all this precuation I still have come around a corner too fast washed out and hit a tree, bounced off in the whoops, and even hit a telephone pole once. These were all my mistakes and I assumed the risk of them. Neglegent track owners should be closed down but to go after a facility because accidents have occured is wrong. Without seeing all the facts for each incident I cannot say if DT is 100% not responsible for any off the accidents, but I see this issue as a big picture along with the rulings in Riversaide California. You should be able to responsibly be able to ride on your property. Resonsibly being the key word.

[PBSO_ATV_Deputy_4]

Digginfool,
    I applaud your post and agree 100%. If more people were proactive about preserving the sport, my job would be much easier. I deal with the complaints on a daily basis. It's these complaints that are causing the loss of riding areas statewide. Just like having a driver's license in this state, it is a privilege to own and operate ATVs, not a right. As I have seen in court, the rights of a property owner far outweigh the privilege of riding an ATV.
    By the time I have to respond to a complaint, it's too late, as the damage is done. Our goal should be to prevent these complaints before they happen. If you're riding somewhere and law enforcement and EMS isn't showing up, keep it that way!!! Ride safe and responsible!! Respect the property owners and neighbors near your riding area. Stay off the public roadways, as this is one of the most called in complaints. The future of riding ATVs in this state is in your hands, so please do the right thing.
   

[AintSkeered]

PBSO, I truly appreciate your participation on this site and I'm certain you see and read about how responsible ATVers generally are and can be. However, unlike the privilege of driving on our public roads, there's few legal places to ride ATVs when unused local and state land in  every county could be used for legal ATV riding. That fact is causing the majority of the problems, not the careless or reckless operators.

Bye the way, the State of Florida does not allow me to open a casino because of the dangers of associated illegal activities it allegedly brings with it. But, the State allows the Miccosukees to run casinos all over Florida. Maybe we should ask them to open up more riding areas for us? LOL

[AintSkeered]

Update From Mike At DP Thursday April 27th.

The following is from Mike McCommons owner of Durhamtown Plantation:

1st I am overwhelmed with all of the support and response I have recieved in this matter I no longer feel alone in this I even got to smile for a few minutes today it has been mostly tears from reading so many responses of testamony and support over 700 of them

I never dreamed that DP could touch so many people good or bad when it was started it has built a family of friends beyond belief

sherre and I talk every night of so many friends we have made and how it has changed our lives

the staff of DP shares the same feelings it is discussed often

Today channel 5 was here for more pictures they did not notify us they were on the property my employees saw them I have told them they are welcome but a curtesy stop in the lodge is cordial

next I visited the chairman of commissioners at his home and we sat in the yard with the yard chickens roaming all around our feet I felt at home we played ball together in high school I was assured the comissioners were not behind this but was aware of this situation

the commisioner will not shut DP down for any zoning issues all issues are pending and awaiting final deeded plats DP has been working with the commisioners for over 14 months he stated if he wanted DP shut down he could have done so last march

next stop was up town visiting bussinesses in greensboro checking public opinion all were shocked and concerned 3 business owners were in one building and all stated at the impact DP had on their business thye had heard the rumours but did not believe them
numerous have been spread throughout the town over the past 6 months I am seeking the root of those

I continued to search for more info I will wait and post those results in soon time

when a snake is spooked he slithers

to my knowledge DP will not close this friday but there is a possibility for the future for a short shut down but with all the support I foresee it temporary with the support that is showing up on the forums when and if we need to join mega forces I will call on all supporters

we have alot of media wanting a piece of the cherry pie talkshows competeing stations and some national media is wanting a chance at it all because of YOUR results of support

they did not have a clue who the riders of the USA are and where they sit in society

I saw one response where it was stated there were stirring up some real rednecks in the real south

we believe in our rights and we will stand for them always

My Grandfather recieved this land we ride on as a land grant for fighting in the Revolutionary War in 1776 he fought with George Washington to have our rights in this country and not be dictated he recieved 200 acres in Greene County as paymet for a soldier which was Named after a General named Nathaneal Greene in the same WAR I attended Nathaneal Greene Academy for my education and learned why he fought for this land

today I stand 230 yrs later fighting for my rights again
for the land we recieved as payment for freedom of the United States I will fight principal to the end as my forefathers did No man in my family has lived past 60 yrs old most around 50 I only have 10 -13 yrs left if you figure averages I will fight hard as they did

I moved back to this property from 10 yrs in Atlanta 1980-1990 because I love this property and wanted to raise my family here as all of my family before me was and hope it continues for more generations

I will post again tmorrow after the segment

Thanks, Mike

[Toomey]

Here's the clip that Fox had about the issue, it's typical stupid, nothing new, but it still makes me shake my head in disbelief. 

http://media.putfile.com/Fox-5-Atlanta-storey-on-Durhamtown-Plantation

[AintSkeered]

It's settled for now. That ramp and one other were removed.

[UncleRico]

I'd like to see the manufacturers get involved in things like this.

Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, etc. should be able to afford a couple of lobbyists to keep SOME of our riding areas open.


It really sucks that everytime I read posts on the internet, someone's trying to close down more riding areas.