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Murray Property and Charmane update from the RRGCC

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 3:26 pm
by Shannon
Murray Property

The closing is on track and nearly complete with only last minute paper left to do—finalization of deed descriptions, checking and re-checking to make sure everything is properly described and included, insurance forms to finish filling out, paper work signed, checks sent, etc.—all which should be finished in the next few days.

There will be an announcement when it is officially completed.

Charmane Oil

The RRGCC has retained outside counsel to deal with Charmane Oil. Under the law once the closing is complete the RRGCC’s legal interest in the Murray property “vests” and gives the RRGCC (finally) full legal standing to begin proceedings immediately. At the instruction of the RRGCC’s counsel we are advised NOT to divulge any sensitive information. Charmane Oil is monitoring the internet, the RRGCC’s and all climbers activities. Any contact with Charmane and their employees, or exchange of information, could harm our case against them. All climber actions can, and mostly, will be used by Charmane against the RRGCC.

Charmane’s position per their attorney from a letter dated December 23, 2003:

“The coalition may not use Charmane’s lease roads or park any vehicle on any property under oil and gas lease to Charmane. Vehicles on the lease hinder the ability to work…Charmane constructed and maintains the road for its own use…Your people may travel on foot on property in which the coalition owns surface so long as such travel does not interfere with Charmane’s ability to conduct its business…Cars which block the county road or are parked on property in which the coalition does not own the surface will continue to be towed. You have no right to use Charmane’s lease roads or block the county road…Your people have been giving Charmane’s employees the finger. They have also been evacuating their bowels on the well sites. Charmane’s employees deserve to be treated with respect. We expect you to see that the rude gestures cease and that your people stop relieving themselves on the well sites (or anywhere else on the leases)…Your people have been using (little “houses”) for garbage cans. Charmane’s people should not have to dispose of your trash and clean up your bowel movements. Your people should take their trash with them and go to the bathroom before they start climbing. If this behavior continues, all access will be denied (emphasis added)…”

Legal actions in counties are filed on certain days of the month, for example, the first Thursday of every month. The RRGCC’s counsel will be filing motions at the first available day immediately following the closing. Which will be in less than 30 days.

It is absolutely imperative for the RRGCC’s to successfully buy and open the Murray Property on behalf of all climbers to fully enjoy, in a timely fashion, that we all understand what is at stake, and help out. The RRGCC deeply appreciates everyone’s patience while we work through this. We understand how painfully slow this may seem but an enormous amount of hard and dedicated work is going on everyday behind the scenes. We will try to continue to make information available as soon as we can, when it is prudent. The RRGCC is also in the stages of hiring its very first paid employee, a part-time Communication Coordinator.

When the Murray Property purchase is complete and we finally work through the legal system to resolve our differences with Charmane, climbers, as represented by the cooperative and collective actions of the RRGCC, will have secured for themselves for the first time ever in the RRG the legal "right" to climb on their own land.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation and understanding.

Shannon

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 3:52 pm
by Gretchen
Thank you for the update Shannon!

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 4:09 pm
by Crankmas
Your people- this thing sounds like it was written by the KKK

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 4:11 pm
by Horatio Felacio
do they realize that not all climbers are the RRGCCs people?

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 4:17 pm
by Artsay
That's a shame that folks are treating the workers so poorly and fueling this whole terrible situation. Ideally, in the future, I think it would be important to have a kiosk somewhere upon entering the SR that informs climbers of the issues and rules (yes, rules) of the land. Personally, I haven't climbed on the property since this whole thing began and it saddens me so much as to what it's transpired into.

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 4:28 pm
by Horatio Felacio
i don't believe any climbers would fuck with the oil people.

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 4:32 pm
by loren
Artsay wrote:That's a shame that folks are treating the workers so poorly and fueling this whole terrible situation. Ideally, in the future, I think it would be important to have a kiosk somewhere upon entering the SR that informs climbers of the issues and rules (yes, rules) of the land. Personally, I haven't climbed on the property since this whole thing began and it saddens me so much as to what it's transpired into.
I'm with you Artsay. Contrary to anything I've said in the past, I think that these people work awfully hard for what is probably not very much money. I know that I would have serious issues with having my roads to work blocked on a weekly basis by people who flip me off and shit on my workspace.

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 4:42 pm
by Crankmas
its mind boggling that some how people would flip someone off in a place like the SR, I can't see how you could be negative in such a cool place, as for the crap factor thats just gross, could that perhaps be disgruntled employees?, or is it marked climber turd

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 5:22 pm
by captain static
This all seems so bizarre. But I will be patiently waiting and staying away from the SR. I just don't see how anyone can dis the RRGCC over this situation. Thanks Shannon, et. al. for all your work and perseverence.

If there is any truth to Charmane's allegations, this could be interesting to watch in the courtroom. There would most likely be pictures entered into evidence and argued over by the attorneys.

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 5:56 pm
by Lateralus
thanks for the update Shannon,
If climbers have been doing what Charmane suggests,
I would be very surprised. Obviously we aren't the only
ones who can drive down those roads. Even so, the arguments seem
very weak and heresay. Anyway, I've always been cordial and will continue to be cordial to the Charmane employees.

I'm curious about this particular threat
"If this behavior continues, all access will be denied (emphasis added)…”

Now I'm assuming some idiot (maybe not even a climber) will probably do what Charmane claims, park on Charmane's property, evacuate where they shouldn't, fly the bird, etc....

while this attitude is clearly uncalled for and serves no beneficial (to anyone) purpose, can someone explain how access to one's own property can be denied legally? By this I mean once the conract has been signed and property lines have been defined, I'm assuming some type of parking will be created for climbers withing the bounderies of the Murray property. If climbers park in a legal location and walk in on foot to the crags how can "all access be denied".

Ultimately, what is the point in purchasing surface rights that seemingly don't guarantee us the right to use said surface if some jackass can't control him/herself?