Hey guys I recieved this e-mail yesterday from the best riding place in GA. The rumors are false and they are trying to rid us of all our fun, any help greatly appreciated read below .............




NOTICE TO ALL RIDERS OF DURHAMTOWN PLANTATION

Durhamtown is under attack by the government/individuals/media to be closed because of the number of injuries/deaths that have occurred here
Rumors were started that there have been more than 25 deaths in 2 years and untold injuries
With this initial rumor it was reported to WAGA Channel 5 I-Team Investigation in Atlanta, with Dale Russell being the primary reporter. Dale Russell, Investigative Reporter, dale.russell@foxtv.com
This is very untrue.... investigations outside of DP claim that there have been 8 related deaths in 4.5 yrs of operation. Our records indicate 7 deaths with over 2,000,000 hours of riding at DP.
It was also rumored that we (DP) restricted emergency helicopters from landing and we refuse to call ambulances to injured riders……again untrue.
FOX 5 along with the GBI have interviewed over 200 people who have ridden at DP. Dale Russell I-Team WAGA interviewed me last Saturday. He questioned me about many untrue statements, which I corrected on camera. As well as discussing many true statements.
I was told that Durhamtown was being shut down by Greene County along with criminal charges potentially being sought against me for involuntary manslaughter and other criminal charges by the GBI. Greene County wants DP closed due to the injures and accidents ASAP. They are trying to use zoning and permits to get this done if possible as a 1st attempt and 2nd thru criminal actions
They are seeking a Temporary Restraining Order this Friday to close until a hearing is held to determine the future of DP and other riding areas similar to DP. They stated they would not stop here; they want to stop any future DP type operations. If they can create enough cost and fear many will close and more will chose not to open in the future in fear of charges and restrictions.
Dp was questioned again today by FOX 5 about what are we doing wrong from other facilities. I reversed the question to Dale Russell and he could not answer it. I feel that DP has exercises more safety through enforced rules and regulations of our everyday operations.
FOX 5 does not have all the correct statistics to do a proper comparison yet and this is where we need help your help. Anyone having any statistics from other sports & injuries please forward them to David Wade at peelskid@gmail.com. We are trying to gather as many statistics as possible. Please only forward statistic to David. Continue to provide your comments, by either on the forums or to mikemc@durhamtown.com.
We are primarily a recreational facility with many families and beginners. As with any sport involving beginners or the not so advanced will prove to have higher injuries than a trained athlete.
Dp is a victim of success and is under attack.

HOW CAN YOU HELP??????

Any help that you may offer will be appreciated Many have already started by emailing WAGA, local/state/federal government agencies and many others to voice opinions and comments. Following is a list of email addresses that others have sent to us that they feel is and could be useful.



FOX 5
General Addresses
Assignment Desk, newstipsatlanta@foxtv.com
FOX 5 Feedback, feedback5@foxtv.com
FOX5 Human Resources Department, hratlanta@foxtv.com
I-Team, IteamAtlanta@foxtv.com

On Air Talent
Nicole Allshouse, Reporter, nicole.allshouse@foxtv.com
Portia Bruner, Reporter, portia.bruner@foxtv.com
Lisa Crane, News Anchor/Reporter, lisa.crane@foxtv.com
Morse Diggs, Reporter, morse.diggs@foxtv.com
Doug Evans, Reporter, doug.evans@foxtv.com
Tracy Flanagan, Reporter, tracy.flanagan@foxtv.com
Dana Fowle, Investigative Reporter, dana.fowle@foxtv.com
Aungelique Proctor, Reporter, aungelique.proctor@foxtv.com
Doug Richards, Reporter, doug.richards@foxtv.com
Dale Russell, Investigative Reporter, dale.russell@foxtv.com
Mark Teichner, Reporter, mark.teichner@foxtv.com
Tony Thomas, Reporter, tony.thomas@foxtv.com
Randy Travis, Investigative Reporter, randy.travis@foxtv.com
Paul Yates, Reporter, paul.yates@foxtv.com



Dale Russell is the I-Team reporter/investigator. But emails to the general manager and other reporters as well may help. I would let any and all of them know how we feel.



Here's a website you can contact ALL your elected officials, even the governor, President Bush, and FOX5.
www.congress.org/congressorg/home



Durhamtown appreciates your support!!!!



Thanks Mike

 

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man that really sucks. Out here we have a problem but not so serious. Out in Glamis most of it is off limits because they are trying to preserve some frekaing plant. Well truns out the plant really aint engdangered and there is actually plenty of it left and we still can not get it opened for riding. Good luck with that, keep us posted.

 

(foxtv)-----says it all

 

Im suprised it not Geraldo Rivera with all that BS they are throwing around

 

We won ! At the hearing all that was stated was that Durhamtown had to make an agreement with the local EMS. And they also had to shut down the freestyle ramps. We still have the 5 MX tracks and over 100 miles of trails. Chaulk this one up for the off roaders !

 

This is great news and congrats on the victory for all of us.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
Thanks for the update.
David

 

Thats great to hear! But for all you Durhamtown riders, try to ride safe so something like this doesn't happen again.

 

yeah for the most part people are safe out there. Most of the injuries there came from the freestyle ramp. I know I have no business on that thing so I stayed off it, but appearently some thought they were more talented than they really were. Also another case a kid was in the parking lot and his mom had gone to the store they have on site there to purchase him a helmet. Well while she was gone he got on his quad and went flying through the parking lot, his throttle got stuck and sent him full speed head first into a tree. Needless to say he died on impact. Had he been wearing a helmet he could have survived, but without one he didn't have a chance. Since then DP has cracked down now people can't even ride through the lot without a helmet.

 

Glad to hear you guys won in court... unfortunatly there are instances like the kid in the parking lot vs a tree....that stuff seems to make the headlines and casts a shadow over the entire park over the other hundreds of riders that are wearing proper gear and protection and enjoy your park w/out issues.

Out here in CA people have been trying for years to shut down Hollister Hills SVRA due to dust... yes.. you read that right... dust.... and the closest homeowners are at least 3 miles away.... go figure....