Slabs and other sorrows

MrWizard wrote:
Such as the "Mesa" in Arizona
A place with less amenities than the slab

There are no amenities here. If one has wheels then one can go into Niland 3 miles west. Counting the gas station south end of town and Post Office there are only 4 tax producing businesses. The slabbers keep the Laundry mat, the Buckshot and Mays' market in business. When the water is cut off and the Two Rivers rest area close the businesses will be in a tight spot. I've heard the gas station and Buckshot restaurant are for sale. Some diehard types summer here but without accessible water even they may move on.

David
Slabs

Such as the "Mesa" in Arizona
A place with less amenities than the slab

bucky wrote:
Gary, my definition of illegals would be those that entered this country illegally and yet are catered to at the expense of the legal citizens such as myself. Clear?
I hope the Slabs survive long enough for me to get there for a visit.

I am hoping you do go, Bucky. I was there for 5 weeks, this time 4 years ago. Yes, over Christmas, and have returned twice more for visits.
Although I am quite certain there are 'illegals' to be found, they are not plentiful. They would likely not be welcomed, either. Although many of the actual Slab people are homeless and dirt poor, they hold many of the American values in high regard. I am not counting snow-birding RV'rs as Slabbers...we are simply visitors to another land.

And the Slabs will always be there, whether in the Imperial Valley of Ca. or somewhere else, the people that have nothing, will find each other, set up some semblance of a community and survive.


Gary Haupt

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:
Or it might simply be because the folks who have been providing water don't want to do it any more because it is a PITA.

and the Slabbers are not paying for it.

Gary, my definition of illegals would be those that entered this country illegally and yet are catered to at the expense of the legal citizens such as myself. Clear?
I hope the Slabs survive long enough for me to get there for a visit.

smkettner wrote:
Is the water off for lack of resource or to discourage visitors?

In general terms California, and many states out west, and some regions of states like Texas - simply do not have enough water sources to maintain the existing population and industry.

That said - despite some water usage restrictions, no one in California is serious about stopping new home builds (which increase total water usage), stopping new industry builds (another big increase in total water usage), etc.

Cutting off water is more likely political than resource driven.

Or it might simply be because the folks who have been providing water don't want to do it any more because it is a PITA.

Phil, things are changing over in Slab-land. There is a move afoot to arrange for ownership of the land itself. The folks that reside there have had conversations with the state about that, and are moving forward. The Salvation Mountain is already owned by that same 'Foundation'.

There is some resistance to the lease-purchase plans, some people are not trusting of the Committee that is heading the move, but they seem to have few choices. If they don't take control of the ground, they stand too find that ownership has been awarded by the state to a power company, or mining outfit...or whomever. Then they'd have to move.

The people that have lived on the Slabs have never been given reason to feel that they are unwanted or trespassing. The cops are thru there often and Border folks and the military. State has never suggested that they should move..until they began making noises about selling the land, so the Slab folks took matters into their own hands.


Gary Haupt

garyhaupt wrote:
Illegals? Or do you mean the Vets? The old people? The kids? The artists? The engineers? The Seals have a resting place in there...you mean those illegals? Or were you referring to the hundreds of RVrs that roll into and thru the Slabs between now and March of next year?

Hmmmm .....

Gary,

All those you mention above might kindof be "illegals" .... if the CA BOE pension fund holdings don't intentionally include supplying owned land areas for anyone and anybody, citizens or otherwise, to camp for free on.

For me personally, I don't feel comfortable about camping on any spot where the owner of the spot doesn't intend for it to be, or would prefer that it not be, used by me as land free to camp on.

The word "mooching" comes to mind ... just because one is getting away with it doesn't make it right. :h

bucky wrote:
This is America. Someone will figure it out. Supposedly the CA BOE pension fund owns the land, petition them. Tell them the illegals need the water to survive and then everything will be fine again. Read quick, this may get poofed :).

Unlike Gary, I get your point. :D That being that illegals would be catered to where the citizen campers would not.

bucky wrote:
This is America. Someone will figure it out. Supposedly the CA BOE pension fund owns the land, petition them. Tell them the illegals need the water to survive and then everything will be fine again. Read quick, this may get poofed :).

Illegals? Or do you mean the Vets? The old people? The kids? The artists? The engineers? The Seals have a resting place in there...you mean those illegals? Or were you referring to the hundreds of RVrs that roll into and thru the Slabs between now and March of next year?


Gary Haupt