Judge approves disputed hike

A community hike on a trail through private land in Monterey can go ahead Sunday, but the hikers better behave.

[RightToHikedotor g]

Join your neighbors and fellow walkers, joggers, and lovers of green space in a fun event to show support for our threatened right to use the Quarry-Veterans Park Trail!

Meet up at Noon on Sunday, May 11 at the entrance to Quarry Park (on Via del Pinar between Hermann Drive and Via Gayuba - see the map below). Together we’ll hike across the Quarry-Veterans Park Trail for a cookout at the Veterans Park picnic area at the trail head. Bring your family, bring your friends, bring your dogs (on leashes please), and be prepared to enjoy the magnificent views from the trail and to learn more about what you can do to protect your continued access to this neighborhood treasure.

The organizers of this event will provide the basics (hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, drinks, condiments, etc.), but any side dishes or desserts you would like to bring will be appreciated by all!

MORE DETAILS: http://righttohike.org

[Dave]

This is why there are so many battles with open space. You create conditions to change the zoneing so they can build and once built they want to kick everyone out or change the rules becasue now they don't like it. I say tear the houses down and move back in the City or deal with what was agreed to.

[Cathy Giammanco]

Dave: you do not have a clue what you are talking about. The private property we own is zoned residential and has been for decades and has never been changed, but there is a scenic easement on it so that it never can be developed. Plain and simple to understand, even for the close-minded. Zoning has never been changed, we are not kicking anyone out or changing the rules. It is the City of Monterey that changed that rules. The City wants to re-zone the property, not us. We are doing what was agreed to on our deed, that is, we are not developing the property. It also says on the deed that there is to be no trespassing by the public. The City recorded the deed, not me. However, the City is promoting and demanding that the public go on our private property. It is the City that has refused to maintain the property, refuses to be liability for the property, promotes and demands that we have public hiking trails on it and public access to it. It may be open space, but if you care to check the deed for it, the Huckleberry Ridge Homeowners Association owns it. Not the City. The City has refused to negotiate. So let's put this in a perspective that even ignorant, uniformed, mean people can understand: The whole world (aka the "public") will be told by the government that they can all go in your back yard. Dogs are to be on-leash, but none will because government doesn't care. The world will come in your yard 24/7, and you will be frightened by these strangers. Not every one will be a friendly neighbor. Could there be a criminal in your yard? A burglar, a rapist, a child molester? Hmmm...hard to know, so just deal with it. Lock your doors and close your curtains. Don't ever let your children or grandchildren play in the yard. Now you must clean and maintain your yard. It will cost thousands of dollars per year, because your yard is 12.5 acres. That's alot. You must insure your yard, again for several thousands of dollars. If someone gets hurt in your yard, they will sue you. Even if you have enough insurance coverage for the claims, you still will spend alot of time and effort defending yourself. So to stop this taking of your private property for public use, stand up for your Constitutional rights and say: "hey, this is not fair...I am being forced to maintain and be liable for a public park on my private property...the govt. should pay for the public use." And you know what happens next? The government will sue you, your name will be slandered, it will cost you thousands of dollars to defend your deed and your property rights. And when you win in court (as we did) the government will start all over again in court with a new theory as to why the world can use your yard, and drum up as much hatred as possible against you because the world wants to use your yard and they are not going to settle for anything less. You will then see your name in print with derogatory remarks about you from selfish people that think you owe them a picnic in your yard. But gee, maybe you are right...let's tear your house down. Great idea, huh? Good luck Dave.