The little article the first pics related to was pretty biased towards them:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/...1.DTLDoesn't even mention his little motorcross track he built (opps, that would kinda make his whole "conservationist" image seem a bit off)
Actually, looks like he took an investment gamble, and when it didn't work, now he's crying sour grapes:Quote »As far as Rivard was concerned, the track was a minor annoyance worth enduring in exchange for the enjoyment he, his wife and two daughters expected from living in a rustic outpost and dealing with a relatively short commute.
"It's an awesome, beautiful place,'' Rivard said, "and we are outdoors people."
Besides, the Altamont track -- best remembered as the site of the 1969 Rolling Stones concert that ended with a Berkeley teenager being stabbed and stomped to death by the Hells Angels -- looked to be on its last wheels after a series of ownership changes. Rivard even hoped to buy it and shut it down.
But he didn't get the chance, and in May the guy who did buy it brought Altamont back to life in a very big way -- with a $1.8 million face-lift and regular weekend nights for stock car, motorcycle and truck races. Even NASCAR competitions. [/quote]But at least the article ended on a good note:Quote »As for whether a savvy businessman like Rivard -- who boasts of having 7,000 employees nationwide -- should have known better than to build right next to a motor speedway?
"I have rights,'' Rivard said.
After meeting with Rivard and his lawyers last week, Alameda County officials have promised to investigate his complaints. They also said they have temporarily set aside plans for issuing a new operating permit for the raceway until a complete environmental review is conducted.
But county Supervisor Scott Haggerty, who represents the area, isn't very sympathetic.
"If people move close to a horse stable, they should be prepared to smell the manure,'' Haggerty said. "If they buy a house next to a racetrack, they should be prepared to hear cars racing." [/quote]"I have rights!" waa waa waaHey, I have a right to yell "**** YOU!" at random to passing police, but you think anyone's gonna be surprised if I find myself in handcuffs for some reason if I do so?