URGENT! Cross-post! Babcock Ranch

[lisa]

  Please follow the link. If you ever wanted to work on saving your right to public lands, now is the time to step up and make your voice heard! NO EXCUSES!

 http://www.floridajeepers.net/viewtopic.php?p=166630#166630

[lisa]

  Mods, can you make this either a sticky or announcement for now? This is very important. Please pass on the information!

[qt314nfla]

I was on the phone with Lisa today.  It sounds like Florida is buying a 74,000 acre piece of land in south west Florida.  Which sounds great right?

It seems that the property has deed restrictions that state that it can never be used for OHV access.  Seem a little predjudiced to you?

Lisa just got wind of this yesterday and has been doing some major research and contacting political people as well as many others that she has working relationships with.  She is trying to find out if there is anything that can be done so that we may also have some access to this land.

Please keep posted on this and if you have any questions on what you can do to help PM Lisa so she can let you know how you can help.

[lisa]

Thank you!      I was feeling a little down after being up so late last night and then early this morning making phone calls. This is a great boost.

  I have been talking with some more folks, making more calls, gathering more information. Here is the paragraph I have posted over on the Floridajeepers site:

 

First let me respond to your question
regarding the meaning of Article IV, Paragraph 25, Management Agreement (MA) or the Off Highway Vehicle provision in the MA, and whether it includes vehicles such as swamp buggies or half-tracks.  Although the statutory definition sited in the MA, Section 317.0003 (1), F.S., may appear to allow some other types of OHV’s such as swamp buggies and half-tracks, that it is not the intent of the this provision.  We have discussed this with DEP again today and we have reaffirmed that it is the Seller’s clear intention, which we have agreed to through our execution of the MA, to expressly prohibit the use of any type of OHV, including, but not limited to, swamp buggies or half-tracks, other than as indicated in the MA by the Manager for management, emergency operations or as required by the Americans With Disabilities Act.  Additionally, the Seller has also provided us with notice that language to that effect will be included as a deed restriction upon onveyance of the Property to the State, which means that the public will not be allowed to use any type of OHV to access or use the property.  While it may not have been what we would have recommended, the Seller has been very clear and straightforward about their intent on prohibiting this type of use from the beginning of our discussions and would not agree to anything else on this issue.

 
  This should make all of you angry. I am working on finding out who put the restrictions on and why. I know that doesn't matter as far as whether we will support the purchase as is or not, but knowing why something is done helps the win the war.

  I will post more over the next couple of days, including phone numbers to call, why this is happening, and what we need to do to stop it.

[jwscroll]

Points of contact to stirr things up are as follows:
Gov. Jeb Bush
flgovernor@myflorida.com

His assistant Mr. Perez Kent
perez@myflorida.com

Agriculture Commisioners Assistant
boxoldj@doacs.state.fl.us

Remember, if you decide to write these people to make it intelligent and have a point don't just ramble on. DON"T MAKE US LOOK BAD.
I will post info as I get it.

[2006YFZ450]

Good job "jwscrool"

[Da_Mtg_Man]

Thanks for the info.....Good job "jwscrool"

I think JW was talking to you on his last post. If you do decide to write then put something more than "thats cool" in the letter.

[lisa]

  Gee Raptor, don't I get a "cool"?     

[jwscroll]

So you guys know, Lisa has been the source of much of my info. She has been dedicating most of her free time to helping us get info, she passes it to me and I pass it to you. I hope you all give her your thanks.

[lisa]

  Thanks JW. Here is a link posted on the jeeper's board

 http://news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051108/NEWS0105/51108011/1075

  While I am glad Jeb is balking, his reasons are greenie, not access minded. The enviros are fighting for the water for reasons of their own.

  I will be talking more with someone who knows more about the water right's fight than I do. Hopefully, maybe we can use that issue to our advantage and get the deal stalled next time as well.

  I wil be posting on whom to contact, and what information to ask about. We can make a difference. We might not be able to stop the deal (although that is what I am working for) but we can get the language changed. I am sure, working hard we can make this work.

[lisa]

  Just to keep all updated:
 
  I have put a call in to the PR representatives with the DEP to get on the agenda as speaker before the cabinet members about the OHV issue. I am waiting to hear back from her.

  I spoke with Ken Haddad this morning, and it seems the rumors of DEP involvement in the deed restrictions is either untrue, or unprovable. Mr.  Haddad spoke with either the seller or the representatives and confirmed that it was both the Babcock Family and Kitson & Partners who were very firm about OHV access to Babcock Ranch.

  I know there are some of you guys working on this issue too. I know there are offers to help research, and I will be putting you on finding out stuff; however, as of right now, I have no authority to represent you. I need permission, for someone who can give permission, to say I represent you guys. I am just a person representing the FJOA (Florida Jeepers Off-Road Association) I have been working on this because I believe we all have the right to access public lands, no matter what our sport. I just need official confirmation that I can be representing your interests in this matter.

  If someone else wants to stand before the Govenor, the Attorney General and other members of the cabinet to speak for you, they need to contact me ASAP so they can get on the agenda when I speak to the PR person. Otherwise, ya'll are stuck with me. 

[lisa]

  Okay, the deed restrictions and out-right bann on OHVs is from the seller. Ken Haddad called me back and verified that. Gary Cochran, from FWC confirmed that too.

  I have gotten on the agenda to speak before the govenor and the cabinet. I will check with my husband and ask him if our truck will make it that far and back, if so, all I ask is help with gas money and meals for the day.

  I will be going to Stuart on Tuesday. I was supposed to ride down with a member of the Ocala Jeep Club, but he will be in the hospital for serious surgery, so I will be making the trip alone; unless any of you living in or around the Orlando or Ocala area are going and would like to share expenses.

  I know some of you are going. You need to know I am not an ATV rider, but I am willing to put time and money into this for you-money I really don't have to spend- to try to bring you all together and give you ways to win your battles. I saw how the airboaters did it, you can do it too!

[jwscroll]

Where are all the replys? A whole lot of people were talking about going to this meeting, noone lives near Lisa that can give her a ride? Or was that just the armchair quaterbacks playin an imaginary game of I CAN DO IT?
This young lady has sacrificed alot of time for this groups riding privledges, someone hook a sister up with a ride to Stuart. Lisa I hope the best for you girl, and as I said, if these people want to sit on their laurels while riding land is taken by their state government then they deserve to lose it.

[Bigscrb15]

  Okay, the deed restrictions and out-right bann on OHVs is from the seller........

What kind of recourse would we have if the seller puts it in the contract about no OHVs? It sounds like they are very adamant that no OHVs are to be ridden. Is there something we have to go on that will change peoples minds? I am all about fighting for riding land, but I am not familiar with Babc0ck Ranch. Is it somewhere people already ride? If there is a chance that OHVs would be allowed and we(well, you, since im just sitting on my butt, lol) have a valid argument I will start sending off letters right away! I don't want anyone to think I am against this, I just don't quite understand enough about the process as to how binding the sellers requests are.

[qt314nfla]

Either way whether it's Babc0ck Ranch or somewhere else we have someone here that does good work and is willing to represent us.  My hats off to Lisa as I have spoken with her on the phone several times about these and other issues.  Your work is very much appreciated and I agree that all of the OHV community need to ban together to produce some results.  Even if the ranch is off limits we will have someone there to start the ball rolling again on getting something done.

Lisa just let me know where to send some money to help you.  I'm behind you 100%.

[lisa]

 You guys are so great. I have gotten some flak from the ORV group, and walked off the Environmental Affairs board of the FL4WDA because of the "difference-of-opinion" (among other things, this was just the final straw) between myself and others who don't like the hard-line stance I am taking on this issue.

  I will be going to Stuart on my own. We worked it out, thanks for the support jw, Lauren!

  Now an update:

  Bigscrub, Babcock is in Lee/Charlotte co. Because it is private land now, OHVs are not allowed on it. With the deed restriction in place, no OHVs will be allowed on the land for the next 40-years, till the deed restrictions are void.

  Our recourse is to make phone calls to the cabinet members for the next week and let them know where you stand on the issue (Do not purchase Babcock Ranch with the deed restrictions in place.) Make sure you tell them you just found out about this issue, as they have been working on this for several years!

  Second, myself, or another representative, takes  your voice to the cabinet meeting, so that they see you all have a rational voice on your side! I will be going to Stuart so some of you can meet me in person, hear what I have to say and decide if you want me to represent you. Jack Terrell will be out-of-state or I would gladly step aside and let him represent you.

 (I am also involved politically, and if I can work into my statement that I worked on all of Jeb's campaigns, all of Mr. Christ's campaigns, etc. and live in Lake co. I would certainly get noticed. Our county is very important in the Republican campaigns, and volunteers from here get heard!)

  Let us focus on these issues first and see how the cabinet meeting goes. I have many more thoughts, ideas and suggestions from folks in-the-know on what to do after the meeting.

  The main reason for going to Tallahassee is to show the politicians you all are no longer just talking, but getting together and working as a force! Your voices will mean much more with representations standing before them. You no longer become a ragged bunch, but a forceful crowd!

  Lauren, I will be posting the results of tomorrow's meeting, whether ya'll want me to represent you, and where to send funds to help me get to Tallahassee. You are so great girl!

[lisa]

  I have gotten the question on the Floridajeepers board (plase note that the link doesn't work, because of the bickering, I took it down) about why should we persue this issue if OHVs are not allowed on the property now?

  That is a good question that some of you may be asking yourself. For those not familiar with how these things work, let's do a 101 shop. The reason it matters is because right now Babcock Ranch is private property. We can all agree a landowner has the right to determine who goes on his land, and who doesn't.  If the state purchases Babcock Ranch, then it becomes public property. That makes the difference.

  It gets a little complex, but not much more than that. Folks have been working for the state to purchase BR (Babcock Ranch) for many years. Those who have been working on it, are trying to buy it as a preserve. While I know we all agree that we must protect wildlife habitats, lands, etc. (or all we would be riding about in is one large sand pit!) I say if the state wants an exclusive animal preserve, it should fund a zoo! Public monies go for buying and maintaining public interests, not non-for-profit or not-for-profit interests anymore that public monies should be used for business interests!

  I will repeat the acreage that the state will be purchasing...over 74,000! That makes a lot of trails!

[lisa]

  Hi all,

  I think I will need about $50.00 to go to Tallahassee with. That is gas costs, I will buy my own meals. I am basing that on what I spent out-of-pocket of my own money I spent going to Stuart. It is only a day trip, I can drive it in 3 1/2 hours.

  I have a paypal account I had set up for the Blue Ribbon Panel meeting I had attended in August. I will just use that. The email address is: blueribbonpanel@floridaequalaccess.org

 My mailing address is:
 Lisa Pardus
 P.O. Box 938
 Altoona, FL. 32702

  Thank you guys, I am working on what I am going to say. I will post it up sometime this weekend.

[lisa]

  Does anyone know how the Cabinet meeting went? I didn't go since I didn't get any support.

[SwampRat]

Our recourse is to make phone calls to the cabinet members for the next week and let them know where you stand on the issue (Do not purchase Babthingy Ranch with the deed restrictions in place.)

If the land is purchased with a deed restriction it can't be altered.  Similar thing happened about 10 years ago in Orlando.  Private land with a nice underwater cave system was bought by the county with a deed restriction that no cave diving be allowed there.  To this day you will be arrested, not ticketed, if your caught attempting to dive this location.

Do NOT let them buy the land with a deed restriction in place!

[qt314nfla]

I sent 20 bucks.  I'll have to check my account and see what happened.  Sorry I had assumed you got it.

[lisa]

  Lauren, thank you so much for posting that. I went to check the account, and found that my password doesn't work!

  Apparently the password was changed last week without my authorization....I will have to talk to my husband about that tomorrow. If/when I can access the account again, I will make sure you get your funds back.

  Here is the URL for the news article:

 http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/13233800.htm

[lisa]

   I have some ideas for working on getting the funds killed in the House and Senate. We can not allow public funds to pay for this, if any part of the public is banned from using the lands! It is late, and Thanksgiving is tomorrow. I will be able to post on Monday what we should do to kill this thing! We can make a difference!

  Happy Thanksgiving to all!

[team_quad_green]

you do know that all the dealer pay a activist for the state of Florida. The property your talking about I was about 3 years ago in my buddies swamp buggy.

[Warrior]

   I have some ideas for working on getting the funds killed in the House and Senate. We can not allow public funds to pay for this, if any part of the public is banned from using the lands! It is late, and Thanksgiving is tomorrow. I will be able to post on Monday what we should do to kill this thing! We can make a difference!

  Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Hello Lisa, whatever happened to this cause?

Thanks...