The United States Marine Corps has served our country well, and I admire and thank those who serve to protect the freedoms we all enjoy. The Combat Center has historically been a good neighbor to all of us in the high desert, but things seem to be changing and I wonder why.I support the Marine’s need to train, but there are a great many of us are absolutely opposed to them taking our public lands in Johnson Valley. The loss of freedom to use our own lands seems to go against their very principles. Seems that we are the ones supporting and defending our own freedoms, not the Marines. The drawdown of the Marines, their shift back to their expeditionary roots, and the new focus in the Pacific Theater rather than the Middle East should all be reasons to not expand the base.
I set my feelings for base expansion aside and reached out to the G5, Jim Ricker, for help in repairing the sheep guzzlers that are near the base and only accessible by helicopter. I explained that the herd would suffer and die, and no civilian air assets were available. He assured me that he would ask the base commanding general for help, but I never even got the courtesy of a response back. , but I guess that’s not a concern when you are busy taking our land.
The most troubling of all recent Marine Corps activities is their financial contribution of $400,000+ to a group of environmentalists for purchase of land in Joshua Tree. It was supposed to be developable land, but the environmentalist, with the help of the Marine Corps and your tax dollars, have taken that opportunity away. Glad my taxes are being used for the national defense…of tortoises and Joshua Trees.
The Morongo Basin Economic Consortium, led by Jim Ricker, voted this past week to not support a tool to help our basin bring economic development here. How is this possible and how is he allowed to do this to our area?
Since he represents the base commanding general, one wonders if this is Brigadier General Smith’s personal agenda?
As it stands now, our tax dollars given to the Marine Corps are being used to save trees and tortoises, take away residential and commercial opportunities, and take away our recreational activities on our public lands in Johnson Valley.
Too bad the G5 isn’t up for election this November…
This author is stating inaccuracies regarding Jim Ricker and the Morongo Basin Economic Consortium. I was at that meeting referenced by the author, he was not there. Alan Rasmussen is the Chair of the MBEC. Ricker is the liason for the marine base and does not have a vote on the Consortium. Ricker spoke in a general position urging to keep the MBEC united to deal with Basinwide issues.Bob Dunn concurred to not endorse Measure U and the other MBEC members agreed.
The author of this post missed the “Mark” regarding the events of that meeting.
Margot
Sorry it took me a while to respond…some of us actually have to work for a our living. First, you may want to have a talk with your “Truth Posse”. Seems as though you have some loose lips in ya all’s posse. You may want to think twice about telling people you called Mr. Ricker to make sure he attended this meeting with you. Seems as though even your own posse has some concerns with your motives and is sharing them with us plain folk. It actually took a bit longer than I thought for them to see through your motives, but hey, they probably gave you the benefit of the doubt.
You actually proved my point: Why is Jim Ricker, a representative of the Marine Corps, weighing in on our economic development? No wait, don’t answer…I would rather hear the answer from my new friend in ya posse.
Lastly, there were other people in attendance that have shared they were confused about the decision of the economic consortium’s decision not to weigh in on a local issue, since they did weigh in on the Cadiz project–a local project not in their area.
Seems economic consortium folks sorta flip-flop on issues like you do! Guess your presence at their meetings makes sense now. Hope you last longer in their club than you have in the rest!
Walking to the mailbox on the 1st and 15th to get that welfare check is work for her Tim. Especially now that she can’t send Bob to get the mail.
Both Bob and Margo are senior citizens whom have worked all their lives and paid into this country and help build it in an honorable fashion.
Personally, for a Yucca Valley Planning Commissioner to write his vile is a violation of “FPPC Ethics Traning 1234″. It’s difficult respecting Tim Humphreville but I’ll keep trying.