On Jan. 10, 2024, a man was found dead on the beach at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (ODSVRA) by State Parks rangers. The next day his car was found in the ocean. On Jan. 11, New Times published a letter by Oceano resident Mary Martin: “State Parks take risks in Oceano.”
What else should I add? State Parks allowed people with their cars, trucks, and recreational vehicles to drive on Oceano Beach, cross the Arroyo Grande Creek, and camp during a bad weather alert and king tides. To be sure, State Parks had positioned a sign waring about the hazardous conditions, telling people to drive on the beach at their own risk.
Does the warning absolve State Parks of this death? No! This man took the risk because the beach was open. If it had been closed to vehicles, he would not have died. Other state parks and trails close when conditions are bad. But not Oceano beach. Our beach is where people are left on their own and die because it is managed by the Off- Highway Vehicle Division of State Parks. As Mary Martin said: The fox is guarding the hens.
The ODSVRA is such a burden on our community and, legally, it doesn’t even include the beach, but its users feel entitled to drive on it to get there. This death is on the ODSVRA. No wonder its management kept it hidden for so long. Close the ODSVRA now!
Lucia Casalinuovo
Oceano
This article appears in Health & Wellness 2024.
“telling people to drive on the beach at their own risk.”
Again, I ask what part of this do people not understand. What should state parks have done, drive a tank on the beach? At some point, people have to take responsibility for their actions.
Lucia you have no idea how this man died and it is totally reprehensible to write this opinion without knowing the facts of the matter. He was a long time resident of Oceano Beach, he has family and a host of friends here that are mourning his passing. Please leave our friend out of your attacks on ODSVRA.
Lucia,
If you truly knew the poeople of the Strand Way neighborhood in Oceano. You would know that not everything about the passing of our dear friend Steve Wagner is known. Your article has incorrect information and is based apon many insinuations and assumptions. The family, friends and neighbors of this man would appreciate if this article was taken down because it is untrue. It is extremely disrespectful to make up a story insinuating his death was related to a weather event that happened one week prior. Please have some empathy here and delete this as it is incorrect information.
If you truly knew the poeople of the Strand Way neighborhood in Oceano. You would know that not everything about the passing of our dear friend Steve Wagner is known. Your article has incorrect information and is based apon many insinuations and assumptions. The family, friends and neighbors of this man would appreciate it if this article were taken down because it is untrue. It is extremely disrespectful to make up a story insinuating his death was related to a weather event that happened one week prior. Please have some empathy here and delete this as it is incorrect information.
Thank you,
Shawn Ivey
It’s unreal to me that the New Times would even let something like this be published. Show some professionalism in journalism and fact check this stuff a little bit. This is just sick, alowing people to spread rumors about someones death. Shame on everyone involved. Show some class. Do better.
It’s unreal to me that the New Times would even let something like this be published. Show some professionalism in journalism and fact check this stuff a little bit. This is just sick, alowing people to spread rumors about someones death. Shame on everyone involved. Show some class. Do better.
Unless you work for the Coroner and have inside information, you don’t know how he died. That has not yet been determined. His name was Steve Wagner and was a long time resident of the Strand neighborhood. You are using his death as a political tool to further your misguided opinion. It is disgusting and disrespectful to his family and friends. Have some decency and apologize to everyone who knew and loved him.
The writer reveals her true agenda in the final paragraph when she expresses her general hostility to off road vehicle use on the dunes. Sorry, but many people enjoy driving on the beach even if she disapproves. Such use constitutes only a small portion of the beach from Pismo to Pt. Sal, the rest of which is off limits to vehicles. The rest of us are also entitled to use the beach, not just Ms. Casalinuovo.