Keystone State Thread

Wow a Trophy for Adult Photography !!

Now that is impressive

Sorry the T-Ball and trophies for bench warming were after my Time.

 

Morning folks. Have a good day all.

 

Morning Pennsylvania

 

Morning Pennsylvania peeps happy hump day.

 

well huh,..





they gonna shut us down foshore cause pictures of boobies

 

Blue boobies

 

Mornin' Pennsyltuckyvanians.

 

Another day of SCADA programming..

 

Welcome back Redmann! You all caught up with the thread? You got jipped out of a trophy.

 

In an attempt to be more politically correct, I'm giving you all a trophy.

However, some people deserve to get one just for making it through the day alive!

Case in point!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8uSd8aB916/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

 

You, Sir, get a trophy for the most multi-quote quote inserts in one post for that one!

 

Good afternoon PA. I have recently started an effort to open up PA for off-road riding. Below is a post I made on advrider.com in response to PaOHV and efforts to work with DCNR and improve riding areas.

A little long, I know. But take time to read and respond, the actual post can be found here: https://advrider.com/f/threads/pennsylvania-off-highway-vehicle-association.1313294/page-2


Great to see that you are enabling riding throughout the area by reaching out to riders, representatives and DCNR.

I live in Beech Creek and have been an avid Off-Roader since the 1980's. Yes, I am old! I was born and raised in NM, did 25 years in the military and "retired" to central PA. Growing up in NM we had the ability to ride on any state unimproved road. BLM (NM version of DCNR) never stopped anyone from riding. Times have changed.

Recently I have reached out to Rep Stephanie Borowicz about DCNR and how they manage the tax-payer land. Stephanie mentioned that many people on a regular basis complain about DCNR, but have no solutions.

The biggest issue is that DCNR has been able to lock up roads and areas without any notification or reason. This is not specific to ATV or dirtbikes. It is everything and everyone that DCNR affects.

The goal is to provide a solution vs complain. I have started reaching out to various people in the area to gain support. The support is not ATV, dirtbike or snowmobile specific. It is the motorized off-road community as a whole. In fact, the Nationwide Off-Road community is a multi-BILLION dollar industry. And it is growing annually. (Please read that again) Expected growth through 2024 is unheard of, the people enjoy and want the ability to get out and ride in vehicles, dirtbikes, atvs, snowmobiles, etc... We are talking people as a whole, young, old, male, female, rural and urban.

My goal is to use our representatives throughout the State to engage DCNR. The only way we can do this is with the consolidated voice of the people/tax payer. It is not one representative and one or two clubs, it has to be all the people and as many state representatives as possible. I realize not all representatives are concerned and a few will actually fight the effort.

You and others are doing a great job, but here is where it can be enhanced. People. People need to get out and talk to their representative and ask the question of why DCNR has the state locked up. Why does DCNR have the ability to install gates, emplace rocks, dig huge ditches, and block off roads on public land without any notification, discussion or hearing on the matter?

DCNR seems to have softened their stance a bit, but they still drag their feet and manage the land tightly. Even though they are opening up areas they still have a huge portion of the state closed off. So you win one small, albeit large gain for the ATV/dirtbike crew, DCNR still has the "keys to the kingdom".

There are no answers to DCNR actions. And they have been able to do so without question or challenge. Additionally, when a petition is made and "won" we tend to think this is great! It is. But, it is one small win over time. How long does it take for a petition to be won? 5 years? Sometimes less, sometimes more.

We need to look at this in a more productive way. Speed of business vs speed of government. Business is not going to slow down, DNCR will take their time in researching the impact of opening up a specific road or area. It takes government a long time, they expend a lot of resources, and they maintain control. Even the current bill you mention will take time to resolve and approve.

If people want access they will have to do a little work. They will have to reach out and voice their concern with their specific representative. Even people outside of the state are able to do this. If someone rides in a specific area they can contact that area-specific representative and voice their concerns.

I was recently told by one club president that "the reason atv's can't use that road is because it is a DCNR road. DCNR purchased the land and road so they own it." I could not believe what I heard. My response is that DCNR owns NOTHING. The tax payer owns the land and the road, DCNR simply manages the land and road.

I fully encourage all riders, ATV, Dirtbike, Snowmobile, Jeep/vehicle, and any other type of motorized vehicle to talk to your representative and open up PA for off-roading. That being said it is responsible riding, which 98% of us do.

A few points for those that wish to engage with their representative:
- Off-Road as a whole is a multi-billion dollar industry nationwide and worldwide it is even bigger. It is expected to continue growing.
- People spend $20+ thousands of dollars on a side-by-side, $50+ thousand dollars on a truck, and approximately $5K on a trailer to haul their off-road vehicles to and from areas. This is just a base price, this does not include the many modifications, riding gear, and all other items associated with a vehicle of any type.
- People of all ages and sex enjoy off-roading.
- Many off-roaders have multiple types of motorized vehicles. Think of how many of you have a dirtbike, ATV, side-by-side, jeep or other 4wd vehicle. It is not just one for the most part.
- DCNR has put up massive rocks to block roads, mainly because riders by-pass gates. How much money and resources does DCNR expend doing this? If they stopped and worked with people they DCNR/State would actually generate revenue and they would see that people are responsible and the illegal riding will stop. Take a look at AOAA and how it started, it was illegal riding and dumping on the property. So, it was decided that AOAA would open up the area for riding of all sorts. Since then it has generate thousands of dollars and the people ride responsibly. This is stated on the AOAA website.
- Installing giant rocks or digging huge ditches prevents access for emergency services. Think forest fire, hunter safety, and camps.
- Recently WV created the Outdoors Office for the State, while more government is not always a good thing, they realize that they were missing out on the revenue. WV is the 17th state to do so. It is realized that the motorized industry is enormous and can't be stopped.
- PA has three off-road parks, some states have one while other states have 10 or more.
- People travel from state to state to experience what a particular state has to offer. Club rides, individuals, and people looking for adventure. AOAA has been recognized as one of the top-10 destinations for off-roading in the country.
- DCNR owns nothing.
- DCNR has created this mess of people doing illegal riding. People will go out and experience the joy of motorized sports. If they stopped trying to close down road and prevent access people would stop by-passing the barriers. DCNR has set the stage for people to find or make ways around the barriers. This has created the "illegal" brand. You won't stop people, especially the younger crowd.

I would like to encourage people, doesn't matter if you are a club member or not, to go talk to their representative and stop DCNR from what they are doing. Be tactful, respectful, reasonable, professional, and adaptive. Encourage others to do so. If representatives want the younger crowd to vote, this is a great way.

Eventually, as interest grows I would like to plan a day for the tax payer to go and engage with their representative across the state. People ride for fun and professionally. It is great for mind, body and spirit. Think of how you feel after a great ride of any sort.

Additionally, I plan on setting up a date for the community and to invite DCNR for an open discussion, a town-hall meeting of sorts. The people or tax-payer should want this to better understand and also engage directly with DCNR.

Speed of business vs speed of government. When issues are addressed in closed door meetings issues tend to take a long time and are never fully resolved. Small wins are ok, but they only go so far. I hear a lot of "I don't want to go backwards" and "I have worked for years to develop a relationship with the local DCNR rep, and I don't want to ruin that".

DCNR is paid by tax dollars and the people that register and ride.

Be proactive and talk to your representative in a collective professional voice. Clubs are great, but I can't afford to pay dues to every hobby I enjoy- I would go broke. We vote for our representative and should use them.

If anyone needs assistance or more information feel free to email me: angrycj7@yahoo.com Please put in the subject line: PA DCNR

-A little history about the email, it comes from my early years in Afghanistan. As a Platoon Sgt, my plt said I was an angry fellow when it came to patrols. CJ, is Contact Junkie. They said I was pleasant during and after a fire-fight. 7 is the designation on a call sign for a platoon sgt. Spending time with that particular platoon is one of the best memories I have. Even after many years in Special Operations, I still maintain contact with members of that platoon.

 

That's impeachable....

 

DCNR are mostly a bunch of dickbags.

I've been anonymously on their wanted list at several times for riding on closed roads.

 

Nice! Great job!