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Vinnie Montanarello's avatar

My remark has nothing to do with this current newsletter.

I am just wondering if anyone ever brings up getting a gas station close to Staters and all the hotels there. It would also be great for the residents.

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Heidi Heard's avatar

When I moved here over 30 years ago there was a gas station on the corner of Hatch and 62. I don't remember when it disappeared. It would be nice to have one on the W side of town. Maybe send your suggestion to the City Manager, City Developer, City Council and Planning Commission. The more people that speak out the better.

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Vinnie Montanarello's avatar

Does the City Manger, City Developer, City Council have an email address?

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clyde kern's avatar

hhmm, i watched the meeting on the STR violations. i believe the first woman (phan) was just suspended but NOT fined. it would seem excessive to levy such a large amount fine under her circumstances.

after watching the meeting telecast, i visited HipCamp site and found perhaps a dozen 29 palms advertisers of camping sites. they would presumably be illegal.

i don't think the regulations concerning advertising / renting campsites within 29 palms are clearly made public. AND certainly not enforced whether due to man power shortage in the Code Enforcement dept or some other reason. but it certainly SHOULD be enforced.

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Jonathan Hume's avatar

Thanks Clyde for pointing that out regarding the fine. You're right, after debating it for some time in the end they actually did not impose a fine. Sorry about that. We'll correct the article!

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An Walker's avatar

Is it really that terrible that they are trying to earn a little in a place where it's pretty hard to earn a living? Per hipcamp the rates really amount to very little.

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clyde kern's avatar

earn a living !!?? that's what jobs are for ! i don't want my neighbors / neighborhood turned into a hotel / motel for campers who i don't know. residential neighborhoods are for residents, not for strangers coming and going. IMHO

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An Walker's avatar

I did not say earn a living, I said earn a little. It's pretty safe to say, given the rates on hipcamp that these individuals are just supplementing a bit. Also, per hipcamp, most of the properties are in remote areas. We used to be a country of freedom and innovation.

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Desert Heights's avatar

They must obey the rules. The country doesn't look like shanty-town in South Africa because we have building standards/codes.

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An Walker's avatar

Oops - too late ;) You make my point. If the dumpy non-str properties were looked at with the same vigor, the argument about the str's might hold some credibility.

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Desert Heights's avatar

These people are clearly out to exploit the area and ignore city and County law. We will be going to the Board of Supervisors to request they ammend the code to classify these places as "illegal campgrounds" versus just "STRs" because that's what they are.

Once classified as illegal campgrounds the fines can be raised and liens and abatements added subsequently. The City of 29 should likewise adopt such an ordinance.

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An Walker's avatar

They are making a few $s a night! Hardly exploiting the area. They probably don't even know there are laws about it since it seems completely absurd that you would not be able to allow a few tents to be put up on several acres of wilderness that you own!

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Desert Heights's avatar

NO! We have LAWS and CODES. Tents/Yurts/Trailers/Campgrounds are not allowed without a permit. All of this sort of thing WILL be shut down.

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An Walker's avatar

As far as laws and codes are concerned, I am afraid 29 palms has bigger fish to fry than a couple of tents. The hyper-focus on minor violations vs major crime is staggering.

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Desert Heights's avatar

The people of 29 get to decide which fish get fried. And the people have said over and over to get rid of these STR tents and illegal campgrounds. So that's how it's going to go.

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An Walker's avatar

I am curious as to why the rampant code violations by residents (non-strs) are completely ignored in 29 and the only focus is the entrepreneurs trying to earn a little extra. We all drive by the trashed places daily but no one says a word about it. Weird!! Hipcamp seems like a great idea - why not let locals profit a bit from it?? Feels un American :(

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The Desert Trumpet's avatar

We paid attention because we were covering the Planning Commission meeting. The violations weren't ignored because they were reported. If residents report non-STR code violations, those will receive attention by Code Enforcement too. But if residents just drive by them, then no, they won't receive attention.

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An Walker's avatar

There could be a Planning Commission for those buildings too. It's one sided. The str issue is no worse than the messed up properties all over the place. Just going after str's is hypocritical in every way.

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Desert Heights's avatar

All trashed properties are reported to code. Hipster camps are not permitted. It's against city and County code.

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Digna Irizarry Cassens's avatar

Re STRs & county licenses: It irritates me to read so many violations reports. I've run a STR in Flamingo Heights since 2020. I read all instructions, contacted the county licensing office to clarify what I didn't understand and esure correct filing. I delivered about 12 letters to all neighbors as required and incluuded my phone if anyh thin I submitted the paperwork using priority mail with signature required. That way I had a name if I needed to call for help or discuss a problem. It makes a difference to be able to say:" ...On x/yy/zzzz at or around 00 o'clock, I spoke with XYZ to discuss 'blah blah bla bla" and noted these instructions (make a legible copy with a very noice note and included copy of the notice. I never had a problem. Now I've converted to long term rental due to lung surgery and having 2 different cancers I'm treating.

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Cindy Bernard's avatar

Editor in chief here.....We appreciate everyone's enthusiasm on this topic! But a quick heads up that we're instituting an anonymous comment policy. Starting today, we're requiring that commenters use their name. Any further anonymous comments will be deleted. Thanks for reading the Desert Trumpet!

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An Walker's avatar

Appreciate it! It's been a bit unusual chatting with individuals "behind" town/area names.

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Vinnie Montanarello's avatar

I will be quoting quite a bit from the Desert Trumpet so I am not accused of misquoting any statements. I stand by the Desert Trumpet when they said;

"we are concerned that lines are being crossed which would cause 29 Palms residents who are not conservative or evangelical Christians to feel that they are not welcome at Council meetings or in our City. " "...it is not acceptable to do that with City branded design, and with the City seal. Using those elements implies City sponsorship and endorsement.

I understand that the sermon on March 28 ..."was a sermon promoting evangelical Christian briefs which honored the dismissal of indigenous belief systems and the conversion of indigenous people to Christian beliefs.

In 2014, the Supreme Court affirmed the right of local governments to open meetings with a non-secular invocation. However, that does not mean that community members cannot request more variety in the perspective of the invocations".

We believe that the City endorsed announcement for the prayer breakfast, the recent secular Council invocations, and the Easter sunrise service on City property, when taken in totality, demonstrates City government endorsement of one belief system and violates the separation of church and state so crucial to the formation of our country.

Of course, we respect the right of Council members to express their faith. However, doesn’t the City government need to respect residents who do not share the same faith and remain neutral regarding the promotion of any specific set of beliefs?

As for my part I would like to say: "Am I a Christian, No, It could mean I'm an atheist, I could be agnostic, I'm not really sure. I have an absence of a belief in God. I don't walk around telling people there's no God. If it comes up in conversation I may bring it up, or maybe not.

Make your own life, have good principles, and a strong sense of honor. Be kind and generous if you can. Smile and laugh every day if you can, There is always something to laugh about." "Teach your children well".

Vinnie Montanarello

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