tribune opinion

[ToddAdams]

David,
I thought I would give you the chance at your side of the story on this. I would also expect you to respond to this opinion in the tribune.
Todd
www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_2665915

[greenjeep]

Here is my detailed side of the story.

Ross called me on Saturday morning, leaving a long (seriously, like a 3 minute-long message on my phone) demanding that the RR4W take responsibility for this supposed incident, and that it was our responsibility to take preventative measures to ensure that something like this won't happen again in the future. He even went so far as to demand that the RR4W get warnings printed up on BEER BOTTLES warning people about this type of behavior. I don't know how much power he thinks I have, but I surely don't have that much.

I called him back Sunday afternoon, after we got off the trail, and he started off very pleasant to talk to, and I apologized to him that the situation happened, but that the RR4W in no way are liable or in any way responsible for the damages. He kept reiterating his melodramatic rantings that someone could have died, and if that had happened, we would be facing a huge lawsuit.

Well, a few years ago, someone on Golden Spike drove off a cliff and died, and their parents sued the RR4Ws because their son had been at Jeep Safari. But the son was not registered with us and was nowhere near the registered trail group, so the case was immediately thrown out because we were not liable.

I explained this to him, but he didn't care because it was "our party" so it was "our responsibility". He also kept complaining over and over about the $70 it cost to fix his tent, and I told him it was unfortunate, but $70 isn't that big of a deal. I also never said anything about seeing two Jeeps roll. I did tell him that if he were coming to Moab during Jeep Safari, and NOT registering with the RR4W, that we, as a club would rather they come a different week. I feel very very strongly about this, and apply it to other jeepers, hikers, bikers, and sightseers. If you come to Moab during Jeep Safari and aren't registered, you are becoming part of a problem that the RR4W have to deal with year after year.

After I explained this to him, he got very upset, telling me that he had just as much right as anybody does to use public lands, which is exactly right, but we as a club would rather them come a different week. It would be like going to Sturgis during the annual motorcycle rally and complaining about all the bikers, or going to Daytona Beach during the Spring Break, and complaining about all the college kids.

When the guy was making his plans, did he not wonder why all the hotels and campsites were booked up? If he didn't know that Jeep Safari was that week, then that's unfortunate. But as the law says, ignorance is no excuse. He claims he's been coming to Moab during his Spring Break for years. Frankly I think it's impossible for him to be doing that, and never have heard about Safari!

After half an hour of listening to his complaining and reiterating the same points, I told him I had nothing more to say to him, that I hope he had a very nice day, and then I hung up on him.

Every year for the last few years, Jeep Safari has received some sort of negative publicity from SUWA regarding our event. This is the first year that we havent. So the club's lawyer, Paul Mortensen, wonders if this guy is just a front for SUWA to get their anti-access, jeepers-are-bad message out.

We also are looking to get a copy of the police report he filed to see what exactly was reported. Speaking with Eve Brannan, who works in the Sheriff's department, and is the RR4W secretary, she said that there were no witnesses to the incident and no other statements were taken besides his. So, he's saying that in a crowded BLM campground, the night before Big Saturday, this huge monstrous Jeep went tearing through his campsite, and nobody saw or heard any of it? How remarkable. I am planning on speaking to the officer who took down the complaint to try and get all the details straightened out.

There also is some question as to where exactly he was camped, and whether he was even in a legal BLM camping site. I'm familiar with the Gold Bar Campsite where the supposed incident happened, and as far as I know all of the campsites are far away from any bushes or trees. The whole thing seems very suspicious to me.

If you would like to contact him, his name is Ross Freshwater, and his email is: [e-mail]

[ToddAdams]

David,
If you don't mind, as PR for the U4WDA, I would like to open a dialog with this guy. I would like to see if he is as brain dead as he makes out in his letter. I would not appreciate him teaching my kids with his narrow-minded attitude. I will try and ignore my already developed impression of him.
Todd

[BlueJeep]

Hey dave can i send this guy an email. ;D ;D ;D

[greenjeep]

ToddAdams said:

David,
If you don't mind, as PR for the U4WDA, I would like to open a dialog with this guy. I would like to see if he is as brain dead as he makes out in his letter. I would not appreciate him teaching my kids with his narrow-minded attitude. I will try and ignore my already developed impression of him.
Todd

Feel free to do whatever you feel is appropriate, I trust your judgement Todd. OrangeTJ on the other hand. . .

[ToddAdams]

David,
I think what would be best at this time is for me to not contact Ross but rather you need to send your letter to the Tribune stating the miss information Ross had in his letter. If they fail to publish it then we have a problem with the Tribune and I would peruse that. It will be very important to let the general public know that the RR4WR’s can not be responsible for the actions of spring breakers just as Ross could not be responsible for his students away from class.

Your analogy to bike week is very apt. All we can do is set an example and if the irresponsible chose to ignore us it is clearly a law enforcement issue. It is my opinion that local law enforcement puts up with the nonsense only to bolster the local economy.

Linda and I did a circle of PSH. There were at least 6 officers controlling the crowd. If they did not want them in town all they had to do is shut the gathering places like PSH down. St. George did what they could to eliminate the spring breakers a few years ago and have since backed off. Even with the hassles, the economy is bolstered.

I know all the arguments are old whether the EJS should be moved. This is just one more reason why I think it should be moved. That is no one could blame the RR4W’s on others misconduct during spring break.

If I do contact Ross it would not be to change his mind or reeducate him to the misconceptions he now has but rather express my opinion that he is blaming the wrong group and leave it at that but I doubt it would do any good. It seems the damage has already been done.
Todd

[moabchic78]

as someone who witnessed this conversation Dave had to go through - I agree with what Todd is saying. It will honestly represent RR4W's w/o seeking to personally attack this guy. He may feel attacked but any mis-print or mis-information gets addressed not just because someone has a chip on their shoulder. I think a response is a good thing if only to offer accurate information. It's only fair to the public that they get truth.

[mrsburleyford]

I agree. Keep it polite and civil. Don't give him any credence to his "redneck" comment.

[broncoman]

blaming red rock for that incident is like sueing ross for one of the students in his school ( not his class) leaves school and does a drive by shooting .....

[broncoman]

CHANGING THE TIME FOR JEEP SAFARI IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE PROBLEM .. IT IS JUST GOING TO SHOW THAT RR4W THINK THAT THEY ARE THE PROBLEM .. IT WILL BE AN INDICATOR TO THE OPPONENTS THAT SHOW THAT THEY CAN MAKE US CHANGE .... MARKING THE BEGINNING OF THE END!!!!!!

[burleyford]

I don't know if I would say that moving Safari would show weakness or that they where admitting fault. As with any group, there are responsible individuals that do their best to follow the rules, and want-a-by's that tag along to create trouble. By moving this event many trouble makers would be limited to attend. The true Jeepers would show-up run the trails and peace could be restored to a group of people that work thier butts off to keep these trails open. Keep up the good work and inform Russ that us dumb red-necks (I have really long hair) Ain't goin nowhere!

[xjchic]

;D ;D ;D

Thanks, Kev.

[BlueJeep]

Hey I am still willing to take care of this guy for you Dave

[Yoda]

I agree, Jeepers aren't bad, but, maybe a few more Toyotas might smooth things over a bit. Whaddaya think?