Carson City Crime Wave

This is the kind of thing that makes you want to lock up your ATV at night. Why our Sheriff's Department allows this kind of thing to happen is beyond me. I thought Carson was a nice town, a safe town, but apparently I was very, very wrong.

 

From the Nevada Appeal, July 3, 2009:

 

"A man reported at 11:38 p.m. that his neighbor on North Peters Street hit him with a pillow because the neighbor thought the caller had not returned shorts he'd borrowed."

ATV Registration

Here is the latest from the DMV website on ATV registration:

The 2009 Nevada Legislature passed Senate Bill 394 that requires registration and titling of off-highway vehicles if certain conditions are met. SB 394 sets up a revolving account to help fund the DMV's startup costs.

If the revolving fund reaches $500,000 by July 1, 2011, the Interim Finance Committee will notify the DMV. Registration and titling of off-highway vehicles will begin 1 year later. If the revolving fund does not reach $500,000 by 7/1/11, the changes to the statutes expire and the program will not be implemented.

SB 394 also requires the Governor to form a new Commission on Off-Highway Vehicles by July 1, 2010.

Oh, This Is Rich...

In this Sunday's Appeal...

 

 “There was a kind of rush to gen­erate revenues for the sake of gener­ating them,” said Sen. Mark Amodei of Carson City. “I don’t think there was a lot of leadership.”

 

Yet Mr. Amodei voted for the ATV registration bill, which will do nothing but generate revenues.

 

Pot... meet kettle.

Old Balls Mauled So New Balls Installed

The first picture is of the destroyed ball joint; in it you can see the joint but the ball is suspicious in its absence. Looking inside the joint in the next picture, you can see where it's worn out one side almost to the edge, enlarging the hole and allowing the ball to escape at the most inopportune moment. And finally, a new ball joint sits inserted, terrified of the abuse about to come.

In replacing all four ball joints, we found another one ready to go, and one more questionable. This is after about 3500 miles, albeit hard miles.

New Ball Joints

Apparently Arctic Cat Can't Tell Time

Kent from Arctic Cat called me again at 6:16 this morning-- apparently they're on Minnesota Time.

Arctic Cat Responds

I did get a call from the Arctic Cat Headquarters today. A very nice lady told me that, while my quad wasn't covered under the ball-joint recall, they loved me very, very much.

Why I Keep My Thirty-Two Year Old Car

Know why I keep my 23-year old car? Simple. My 2004 Jeep's A/C fan switch stopped working. Only works on high, which is indicative of the fan blower motor resistor failing. With parts, a twenty minute fix. Jeep quoted me $424.46 to fix it-- resistor $160.80, the wiring connector which probably melted is $96.80 with labor at $148.50.

I don't want to replace the entire air conditioner, just the stupid resistor. I'll hard wire the bastard in with a soldering iron instead of paying a hundred bucks for a stupid connector, but come on, fellows. You pull out the damn glove box, uncork the part, slap in another one, and you're done. $150 labor? For what? $160 for a damn resistor mounted on a piece of plastic? Which shouldn't have gone out in the first place?

Yeah, I think I'll just keep my old car.

To their credit....

To their credit, speedsupplies.com did finally email me today, but I had already ordered from someone else and cancelled my order with them. 

speedsupplies.com

Tried ordering some ball joints from an outfit called speedsupplies.com. Their on-line form didn't work for me, so I emailed them my order. No response. Went to their website to look for other contact info, called the phone number, but it's just a recorded message saying check the web site. Uh-oh. Cancelled the order and went with an actual Arctic Cat dealer, so hopefully they can get them ordered and on the way before summer is over.

Ball Joints - $118

The Forgotten Nevada Ball Joint Exploratory Finance Committee is accepting contributions in the form of cash, check, or money order to study the feasibility of raising $120 to purchase and install new ball joints on one the organization's primary research vehicles. You may send money via Pay Pal to robert[and then an underscore character]frenchu and then the 'at' symbol followed by yahoo and then a '. com.'

 

You could try deducting this off your income taxes but if the IRS calls we don't know you.

See Them Veto the Veto

Here is a candid photograph of the recent meeting of the Nevada legislature as they prepare their "final solution" for Nevada, making it more like California than ever before.

OK, maybe I'm going a little overboard now....

Veto Overridden- Californication Proceeds

The Forces of Darkness gathered May 31 to override the Governor's veto of SB394, another step in making Nevada less like Nevada and more like California.

White Caps Mine

The White Caps Mine page is up and running.

It occurs to me.....

It occurs to me now that, had I been in favor of the OHV tax, a state-sponsored OHV repair station and doughnut shop might have been nearby the now-smoothed trail I was riding on when my quad broke, and I could have sat in air-conditioned comfort while uniformed attendants repaired by quad, topped off my tank, and sent me on my merry way. Am I being selfish? Of course, maybe my quad would have never come apart, had I brought it in for the annual state inspection- they might have noticed the problem right away.

My Hero

Is Governor Gibbons the only one in this state that has the courage to tell the legislature to cut the waste and programs government shouldn't be funding in the first place? Are all the legislators as stupid as Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, who told fellow legislators that "Nevada is not a dictatorship. One person does not get to decide our state’s destiny.” Is she completely ignorant of why the Governor has the power of a veto?

The real question is, will voters remember the names of these twits when they come up for re-election?

Will they remember that the majority of our legislature tried to shove a new tax down the throats of thousands and thousands of Nevadans to protect a handful of ATV dealers?

I know I will. I'm going to remember.

SB394 - Returned to Senate with Governor's veto message.

Governor Gibbons, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.......

"Senate Bill 394 requires the registration of off-highway vehicles and enacts a new fee for such registration. Although the fee increase has the support of some off-highway vehicle proponents and off-highway vehicle retailers, the fee would not be imposed on those groups but would instead be borne by the individual owners of off-highway vehicles. I do not support a new fee on an activity that Nevadans have previously enjoyed freely." - Governor Jim Gibbons, May 26, 2009

And there you have it. Gibbons understands this perfectly. It benefits some off-highway proponents and dealers, who want all OHV owners to pay for it. We enjoy the activity freely now. That's why we live in Nevada, and that's why we love Nevada. And that's why we love the Governor, and despise and loathe the scum who voted in favor of this bill.

 

And you know who you are.

 

 

Death Defied

The trip out to Peavine Canyon, Manhattan, San Antonio Ranch / Smelter, White Cap, and environs was a glorious outing, for the most part. We even came that close to crossing paths with the Ghost Town God himself, Stanley Paher, who was out visiting (or due to visit later that afternoon) White Cap. But it was not to be.

First, we ran across a scorpion the size of a house cat while loading up Luis. Hmmmmm. We stopped at Jerry's in Fallon for a quick breakfast and toddled off to our campground in Peavine Canyon south of Austin. Way south. Scouting around for the ideal site, we came across a rattlesnake. Good feeling. Hopped on the quads and went up the canyon, but couldn't get to the cabins- it's closed as a wilderness area. Not a problem, we explored several other canyons and headed south to take a look at the San Antonio Smelter site and the now abandoned San Antonio Ranch. Steaks and spuds over the campfire that night, and just enough beer to cut the road dust. A very pleasant campground. We had company but the were quiet and respectful.

The next day we headed to Manhattan. We cruised through town knowing we could come back that afternoon to get some pictures. We circled around behind to the south and popped up in White Cap, very impressive ruins and buildings. A group whose name I can't quite recall "Great Basin Explorers"? who were also camped at Peavine were there in force, milling about. Very pleasant people. We understood that Stanley Paher was due that afternoon to give them a little tour or some such, and that possibly even Shawn Hall was in the neighborhood. None of the group realized how famous we were, and treated us like regular human beings.

Then we decided to head up to take a look at a historic site already erased from my brain, because as I was rounding a curve on the way down, a ball joint decided this would be a good time to separate and try to kill me. That was annoying. Very, very annoying.

Thankfully, I always bring several pounds of tie wraps, and after one false start, The Ramirez Brothers had rigged my ATV to be towed by Luis's Polaris, and off we went down 10 miles of Slaughterhouse Canyon to the waiting arms of the trailer. Oddly enough, we made it in one piece, with me sitting on the extreme right rear of the luggage rack to take weight off the crippled wheel, sucking Luis's exhaust fumes and fine powdery sand the whole way down.

I see now that Arctic Cat recalled 2002 models for defective ball joints, but it would seem the model run began about ten minutes after they stopped making mine. We'll see what kind of a company Arctic Cat is by their response to my inquiry about taking care of this problem, which, quite literally, could have killed me.

So. Almost killed by scorpions and snakes. Missed Stanley Paher by that much. Nearly killed by a defective quad.

All in all, an excellent trip.

VETOED!

Most Recent History Action: May 26, 2009 - Vetoed by the Governor!

Manhattan Trip

Well, we might see a little rain, but who cares- we're quadding without registration stickers and it'll all be good. The usual Forgotten Nevada Quad Transport Platform is taking a rest while Jose takes care of those particulars- stand by for pictures on Thursday. Or maybe Saturday.

SB394

The bill is in the Governor's office. Guess I'll go ride tomorrow as a free Nevadan one last time.......

Good News

We won't have to vote Amodei out. Term limits make this his last session. No wonder he doesn't give a rat's patootie.

SB394

Having completely ignored any anti-tax protests from the public or warnings from the governor, the Nevada State Senate and Assembly have sent SB394 to enrollment. It's on its way to the governor.

 

Q. What's the difference between a drunken sailor and the Nevada Legislature?

 

A. A drunken sailor spends his OWN money.

More Bullsh*t Intimidation on SB 394

“If we don’t get a handle on this situation, I think the feds will step in and we won’t be able to use our public lands,” said Assemblyman John Carpenter, R-Elko.

 

What situation, John? What situation are you referring to? Tell us the situation you're referring to, then tell us how registration is going to "fix" it.

A Ray of Sunshine From The Governor's Mansion

While the measure (OHV Registration) has widespread support from numerous groups, Gov. Jim Gibbons plans to veto it. Jodi Stephens, his legislative director, said the plan includes new registration fees, and the governor won’t support such fees. - The Appeal

SB394 Progresses

SB 394 was amended by the Assembly and sent back to the Senate.

SB394

SB 394 squirted out of the Assembly Transportation Committee today,  May. 19 with a "Do pass" recommendation, It's now on its way to the Assembly Ways and Means so they can figure what size and color the stickers are going to be....

Roto tiller is Still For Sale

I'm getting a lot of hits on the roto tiller I still have for sale. No, I'm not coming down on the price, if that's what you're waiting for.

 

Un-Elect Amodei

Update on Steve's Ford

I have a report that Steve's Ford is still there, minus most of the glass.

Tree-huggers Support SB 394

Here is an example of some addled thinking....

 

http://nvgreenvote.org/documents/HotListSMar23_000.pdf

"This bill will promote responsible OHV use while greatly increasing accountability for the irresponsible users. In addition, the state would realize sales tax revenue increases, and would create a funding source to promote trail management, enforcement and restoration."

A sticker is going to increase accountability? Huh? Well, we know how well registration works for increasing accountability for other motor-vehicle users, don't we?

Pahrump Valley Times Does What Reno Gazette Journal Couldn't

I just noticed on the on-line version of the Pahrump Valley Times printed The Letter on April 17. They didn't seem to have a problem printing 300 words instead of 250....

More SB394 News

Senate Bill No. 394. Bill read third time. Remarks by Senator Rhoads.

Senator Rhoads requested that his remarks be entered in the Journal.

"Thank you Mr. President. This is the off road highway vehicle bill that we have been working on for eight years. It will not go into effect until it is adequately funded. We are looking at some grants to see if we can get the funding started."

Senate Passes OHV Bill

Here is a list of people- besides Maggie Carlton- who need retiring next election.

Votes (2/3 Majority Required) Senate Final Passage May. 16 Yea 17, Nay 1, Excused 2, Not Voting 0, Absent 1

Mark Amodei-Yea

Shirley Breeden-Yea

Terry Care-Yea

Maggie Carlton-Nay

Barbara Cegavske-Yea

Bob Coffin-Absent

Allison Copening-Yea

Warren Hardy-Yea

Steven Horsford-Yea

John Lee-Yea

Bernice Mathews-Yea

Mike McGinness-Yea

Dennis Nolan-Excused

David Parks-Yea

William Raggio-Yea

Dean Rhoads-Yea

Michael Schneider-Yea

Randolph Townsend-Excused

Maurice Washington-Yea

Valerie Wiener-Yea

Joyce Woodhouse-Yea

I guess my Christmas card list is gonna be a LOT smaller this year

Packing For the Trip

Just wanted to say, once again, what great folks there are up at The Epicenter, which I am officially declaring to be the Official MRE-Supplier for Forgotten Nevada! Yes, that's right, we simply don't purchase MRE's, heaters, entrees, or any other military or military-inspired foodstuffs from anyone else. Only the Epicenter meets the rigid standards that Forgotten Nevada demands! Only the Epicenter has the inventory and shipping facilities to get product into our hands in time for a quick ATV trip! Only the Epicenter is constantly changing and expanding, like the ebb and flow of life itself!
Here is one of their newest items, sandwiches! You can eat 'em cold or stick 'em in an MRE heater. These are found in the new FSR (First Strike Rations) and designed to be eaten on the move. They'll last 3 years at 80 degrees F. I am still waiting for MRE beer rations, though.....

Manhattan Appears to be a Tentative "Go!"

We're all in agreement; myself and the Infamous Ramirez Brothers will be camping out somewhere near Manhattan at the end of the month, with possible side-trips up Peavine Canyon to see Pete's Cabin and possibly, ol' Pete himself. We'll be pulling the Forgotten Nevada Quad Transport Platform with Jose's new (to him) 3/4 ton Ford van.

It's Time To Plan A Ride

It's time to plan a ride, possibly to Manhattan. We'll see.

OHV Registration

The Senate is ramming this bill through. Time to contact the Governor and tell him what a stupid idea this is.

Reasons Why

Now I'm in a bad mood. Here are some of the reasons listed why, by people who are in FAVOR of paying the register their ATV's. Some pretty remarkable stuff in here....

 

"It is time to enact this legislation. In order to protect owners of off-highway vehicles this provides an important improvement to insurance and freedom of operation legally in surrounding states."

So it's not for us, it's so we can ride in OTHER states!

 

"Responsible riders need and want guidance to play " right " and within the Law this Bill will help guide us."

Huh? What? Hello? Paying for registration will help "guide me?"

 

"I am for creating a way to establish funds to maintain, enhance and create new OHV riding areas. "

Here is a guy who's never thrown a leg over a quad. You could never possibly ride all the riding areas in the state in five lifetimes.

 

"I am in favor of a registration system that would give the owner a true title of owner ship. Such a system may help with the prevention of theft, because the ATV would have to be registered to use. "

I don't know about you, but I have "true ownership" right now. And we KNOW just how well registrations helps with automobile theft.

 

"State is becoming all wilderness areas, you need to leave some room for recreation. Why should we go to Calif and Utah when we have land that is perfect for ATV's and dirt bikes. We could recreate in our own state."

Huh? What does this mean? You can't recreate in your own state now?

 

"State is losing millions by not titling and taxing ATV's and motorcycles. We recreate in our own state and deserve old and new trails to be developed, signed and maintained and this could then fund it."

Ah, here is someone more truthful than our legislators. He wants to protect local dealers. But then he slips into this whole "the guv'mint gonna create trails for me" thing. Tsk tsk.

 

"I fully support this bill. I was involved with the draft of the bill and strongly believe that it has the potential to benefit the off-road community in ways more numerous than i can identify here. I am an avid off-highway vehicle user and i encourage a yes vote on this bill. The only significant concern i have is that the enforcement will be a major key to the success of this OHV titling and registration program."

Yeah, that would be kinda sticky, wouldn't it? This guy is probably an ATV dealer.

 

"We are possibly the only state left in the U.S., with any measurable amount of public land that does not have an off-road (OHV) registration bill. WE need to get in the current century. Nothing but good can come of this bill. Please vote FOR! "

<Homer_Simpson> Mmmmm. Must... be like.... other states...... </Homer_Simpson>

 

"The benefits will be keeping trails open and money to keep them that way."

Another dreamer who's never actually ridden in Nevada

 

"People that are against this just want to get out of paying sales tax "

Actually people who are against this already have their equipment and don't want to be taxed just because some lummox thinks it's a nice source of revenue for the General Fund and of ABSOLUTELY NO BENEFIT WHATSOEVER TO OHV riders.

 

"We need titled units to help with theft. Read the bill closely, with an open opinion. It will benefit the user, not the Gov"

Yes, people CAN be this ignorant.

 

"Finally, the State of Nevada is taking steps to assure our OHV access to public lands. This bill provides money to build new trails, restore damage caused by the few, and provides a mechanism to catch those few who threaten to spoil it for us all. "

A mechanism? LOL THERE IS NO MECHANISM. You'd have to pay a $500 registration before there could be a mechanism. Why do people think a tin plate is going to solve their problems?

 

"Sure we have to pay a fee. I want new, properly signed trails. "

Learn to read a map, moron. Or better yet, stay home. Stay off the trail. I don't want to come across you sitting on the side of the trail scratching your head wondering where you are.

 

"I want law enforcement out there catching the jerks who don’t care about anyone but themselves. "

You can't be this stupid. Really. You can't be.

 

"I also want the mess they have made cleaned up. I’m willing to pay for that. If we d Apr-06-2009 For It doesn't seem like many people have read this bill. it is not setup like california. The positives are that it allows us to get a title so we have a legal document of ownership that will help with theft prevention and selling. "

I had NO idea that there was such a problem proving ownership now, I really didn't.  Don't you guys keep your receipts?

 

"The money has to go to the betterment of ohv oppurtunities so that we can set up ohv parks and trails. "

Lovely. An OHV "park." How civilized. We can all ride with our pinky's out.

 

More Politics

I don't know if any legislators read these things, but you can leave comments about legislation they're working on here, as well as see what other people are saying. Just this morning, I looked up comments on AB413, an atrocious piece of crap written by the astoundingly ignorant Democrat Senator Jerry Claborn from down Las Vegas way.This transplanted hillbilly wants to do away with the Electoral College because he doesn't understand how it works. Or worse, he does understand how it works and wants no part of the protections the Founding Fathers placed into the system. Anyway, it's pretty interesting to read the comments regarding the depths of his ignorance.

Speaking of opinions, there's one opinion in favor of AB394, the Let's-Be-Like-The-Other-States-And-Register-OHV's bill. This person is quivering with excitement about all the trails they're going to build. Sheesh.

I was thinking, if in fact this bill does get rammed down our throats, how cool would it be to actually start DEMANDING all the things they said they were going to provide? I want all trails in Nevada to be marked with reflective mile markers, personally. Rest stops with facilities would be nice.

Ha Ha. Las Vegas Review Journal Manages What Reno Gazette Journal Can't

http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/42869237.html

Ha. Lahontan Valley News Manages What Reno Gazette Journal Can't

http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/article/20090409/NEWS/904099970/1020/NONE&parentprofile=1048

For the Poor People of Reno

Here is the letter the people of Reno will never see, because their Gannet newspaper has no room for public viewpoints....

 

 SB 394, which makes changes to provisions relating to Off Highway Vehicles, is a perfect example of why we should only allow the Legislature to meet every two years— or maybe only every five.

After trying—and failing— to force registration of OHV’s for the last several years, they’re at it again. Apparently they won’t stop until they have your money.

Their previous deceptions didn’t work. First, they wanted to protect dealer sales; then provide wonderful services for off-roaders; then it was all about protecting the land. I’m sure that safety and the War on Terror were in there somewhere, too.

This time they start jabbering about OHV’s not being legal to use on highways, like this is some big problem only registration will solve. Then they jump right into requiring registration fees to be collected into a Fund. The Fund will be used for “off-road projects.” One “project” will be creating a Commission on Off Highway Vehicles. These people will be paid per diem from the fund, if the money hasn’t been spent on other “projects.” Ostensibly, their job will be to figure out ways to spend your money.

What is the purpose of this bill? Why was it written? What “projects” are planned? Other than levying a new tax for no discernible reason, what possessed them to draft this bill? What NEEDED services is it going to provide?

I wish they just had the courage to say, “OHV riders, we have received noise complaints from the jingle of change in your pockets, and we are acting to stop this vile intrusion of the public's right to enjoy the outdoors in a quiet and peaceful manner.”

But they don’t have the courage. This is just another legislative bridge being built where there is no river.

Reno Gazette Journal Refuses Letter to Editor

The RGJ has a 200 word limit. I'm sorry, what I have to say is 304 words long. Deal with it, morons.

Forgotten Nevada Launches Media Blitz

The Letter-to-the-Editor Writing Team of Forgotten Nevada has launched their campaign against SB394, also known as the "Let's Collect ATV Registration Fees Now and Figure Out What To Do With The Money Later" Bill. You can either contact your newspapers and representatives in the State Legislature, or pop a brew, kick back, and hope it goes your way.

It's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

Yeah, the political hacks in our Legislature are once again going to sock it to ATV owners by trying to require registration. It's all about the money.

 

You have it.

 

They want it.

 

What do you get in return?

 

Not a damn thing.

 

http://www.rgj.com/article/20090408/NEWS11/904080445

Website Down Part II

It just occurs to me- it could have been God! The Westboro Baptist church said He hates me, and this kind of thing would be right up His Holy Alley.

Web Site Gone

Someone stole the website. All gone. Nothing left. Very curious.

An investigation has been launched, but this just reeks of North Korean operatives.

God Hates Us

The Westboro Baptist Church folks were in town yesterday, just to remind everyone that God hates you.

He hates everything you do, He hates everything you think, He hates shrimp (Leviticus 11:9-12) and you are all going to burn in Hell for all eternity, while WBC members will relax in heaven, turning up the TV so they don't have to listen to you scream.

Forgotten Nevada is proud and pleased to be hated by the Westboro Baptist Church and looks forward to meeting some of them out on the Trail some day.

The Rototiller

I have noticed more than several people searching my blog in an effort to find rototillers for sale Mine is still available! Call for details!

New Pages Up

The new pages for Clifton and Thompson Smelter are up for your viewing pleasure.