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Thursday's Internet Edition, 10:25 AM, March 18, 2010.
RM motorcycle issue deserves closer look
Rancho Murieta Commentary
By Kathryn Brodrick
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Like a zombie from the grave, the issue of allowing motorcycles to travel the streets of Rancho Murieta North once again walks among us.
I haven’t been a fan of motorcycles since my son rode one as his primary vehicle while he was in college. His love affair with the bike came to an abrupt end when a driver, who didn’t see him beside her, changed lanes and shoved him into a ditch. Fortunately, he wasn’t seriously injured, and he has gone on to become, ironically, a lieutenant with the CHP.
In my son's 25-plus years in law enforcement, he has seen enough grisly motorcycle accident scenes to convince him that it’s a risky means of transportation.
Nevertheless, here we are in the 21st century, faced with high fuel prices and (especially for those of us who live in Rancho Murieta) long commutes to work. Motorbikes and motorcycles offer the huge advantage of excellent gas mileage; I can see the appeal from that standpoint.
So we come to the crux of the problem: motorcycles are prohibited on the streets of Rancho Murieta North without an escort by RMCSD Security. A motorcycle must be parked in the gazebo parking lot, and the rider must make his or her way home from there.
The primary issue about motorcycles is the noise they trail. However, an increasing number of people are noticing that the gazebo parking lot looks like a used bike lot. Even visitors have remarked upon this visual oddity, many voicing the opinion that “it’s crazy!”
Rancho Murieta, being a good gated community, has gone to great lengths to protect its residents from annoyances such as motorcycle noise. The CC&Rs apparently can be interpreted in a variety of ways, and a select few interpreters can be found picking at gnats' asses on the Internet boards.
The CC&Rs were written at the advent of the governing board to accommodate a particular lifestyle for residents of Rancho Murieta. Since that time, the character and demographic of RM has changed dramatically. We’re no longer a “retirement" community (if indeed we ever were). Many of the people who live here still work for a living at a considerable distance from their homes.
The CC&Rs aren’t the Constitution—what the framers may or may not have meant has been obscured over the years by many fingers in the pie, each finger with its own agenda. The bottom line question is this: in 2010, what works for residents pinched by long commutes, high gas prices and altered ideas of commute vehicles?
I don’t think that it’s possible to protect everyone in a community from every annoyance; one person’s annoyance is another’s amusement. When CC&Rs or any governing document is written, the law of unintended consequences is furiously at work. At any moment, on any given issue, those seemingly innocuous words can reach out like a snapping turtle and paralyze the process. It’s a wise committee that can write governing documents that allow latitude for future boards to make alterations that are dictated by changing times.
We can pick at the details of the CC&Rs until the end of time, or we can decide what we want right now in this moment and work at making that happen. Those who ride motorcycles need to get together, decide what it is they want and how they will mollify the community’s concerns. Then they should submit a proposal to the board.
Those who are concerned about the visual aspect of the bike parking issue need to do the same. Then it’s the board’s turn to decide how to make it all work for our residents. Simple, no?
Instead of starting with the CC&Rs and bending the words to fit the issue, go at it from the desired result by using due process to make it work. This includes changing the document if necessary. Those rules that are in place can be used to make the needed changes.
Okay motorcycle people—the ball’s in your court. Tell the board what you want and how you want to make it work. Hopefully the rest will follow, and hooray for democracy!
Get involved now to save Wilton rural lifestyle
Wilton Commentary
By Evan Winn
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As I crammed into the council chambers of the City of Elk Grove, I felt as if I was watching the movie “Moby Dick” and had been transformed onto the deck of the Pequod. It seemed as if all of us in the room were in relentless pursuit of the Great White Whale while Caption Ahab surrounded us with his insanity!
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) attached to the Sphere of Influence (SOI) makes about as much sense as Captain Ahab chasing a Great White Whale in the middle of an ocean abundant with whales. Did you notice that Captain Ahab and all with him (except one) perished?
The MOU does not define development, and it is clear that the Elk Grove Council’s definition does not include as “development" any public use, access of land or a waterfront park.
It appears upon further study that this whole MOU is written as a feel good document to appease residents and generate complacency of the people to achieve the SOI with the 100-year floodplain included.
The next step is annexation and then construction of the Cosumnes River parkway. The only concern the Elk Grove Council has is the tourism and money that will flow into Elk Grove, not to mention the large amount of people who will be able to walk through the area and enjoy nature at its finest.
Remember how the insanity of Captain Ahab persisted? Instead of having a successful and profitable whaling run, he destroyed everything around himself. The Elk Grove City Council, with its obsession to this 100-year floodplain, is using vast amounts of time and money while creating much distrust.
The Elk Grove City Council is allowing the Cosumnes River floodplain to the east, along with its MOU, to take the lead over the whole SOI. Who will be the survivors when this ”my way or no way” process is over? Will it ever be over? As tomorrow comes, who will point the finger at whom?
We need to consider that this MOU is exactly what it says it is: an understanding. It is nothing more, nothing less. It is not a code with legal ramifications. Because this floodplain area is within the SOI, it will be annexed. Once annexed, Sacramento County has no say over the floodplain. Upon annexation, only the Elk Grove City Council will have a say. It is a sad day when people of power and wealth believe that they have the right to any land that is open and part of the elements of nature.
These people think they can make this land better for man's use. It should be noted that the question of who the driving force is behind this floodplain encroachment was asked but never answered. It appears that there are a few Elk Grove City Council members obsessed with the dream of an Elk Grove by the water. They will not let go, just as Captain Ahab was obsessed with the White Whale and never let go.
I give thanks to those who have been a part of this great Elk Grove SOI adventure and, in doing so, have attended the many meetings and public events. Wilton will be changed forever if Elk Grove is allowed to cross the Cosumnes River or take possession of the Cosumnes River/Deer Creek floodplain. It would be an open door for future loss of whatever rural flavor Wilton now has.
The country life was lost when the dairy farms and large agricultural farms went out of business, with much of the land being split into the existing five and 10-acre rural ranches of today. With Elk Grove controlling the Cosumnes River basin, the next land evolution for Wilton will be - at the best - one and two-acre urban estates. These future developments of the future need to be stopped today. Tomorrow when they appear for public review, it will be too late,
For all you folks who cherish this lifestyle and are Wilton multi-generational or hope to be, stopping Elk Grove is a must. Those of us who are presently involved in this effort ask each of you who are involved in other activities such as sports, school functions, church activities and youth activities to take a moment to help Wilton. Just remember that you could save the rural lifestyle that you love for future generations. Again I say thank you to all those who have dedicated so many hours to preserving the Wilton lifestyle.
Thank you again for your precious time reading this column. May this nation, created under God, continue to be blessed, and may 2010 give you great joy. If you have any questions on any issues, please contact me at winneng@frontiernet.net or fax me at 916-687-4732.
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