Hey Dave,
I know he's not hurting for money! between the deal he has with Turner's (which they do take a piece of) for the Hunter's Safetey Classes, he's got the Sporting Clays Range, the handgun and rifle ranges, a trap range over on the East side off of Corydon, the pheasent hunting, duck hunting, dog training, etc. He's got I don't know how many acres that they raise crops on and I'm guessing that all this land was left to him by his family....? I think he grew up with an attitude
Now there are two things that may be a problem for him.......I've heard that work on Prado Dam will start this year, to eventually raise the water level there.....a lot of his property (or the Corps of Engineers) property, is directly in the flood plane should they raise the water levels very much. Couple this with the division of the "Ag Preserve" out there between the cities of Chino, Chino Hills, Ontario, Corona, and I believe Mira Loma and he's got a future problem with a possible silver lining. In the not too distant future, all those dairies and farms will be gone. And in their place will be thousands of houses, owned by suburbanite soccer moms and dads, who just don't understand why there has to be an evil shooting facility in their neighborhood
Couple that with an increase in insurance for the ranges being so close to suburbia and the fact his usable land will surely go up in value in the next few years because of all this......I'm guessing when the time comes, he'll sell it all off and make a tidy sum. Then he'll probably retire to some tropical island, after he buys it outright and sit around insulting his drunken, sunburned, paying guests all day !!! :banghead:
The only thing that's saved him and Prado this long is the Dam and the Ag Preserve and they're both getting overhauled. Until the divorce last year, I lived in a nice new house overlooking Prado and my totally yuppie neighbors complained constantly about the noise from the ranges......it's only a matter of time before it's all gone and we'll have to drive to Lytle Creek to shoot. Personally, I loved the sound, though hearing all that shooting everyday, sure made it hard to stay away from the range
Anyway, I hope you try shooting there at least once....It's a heck of a lot of fun and Mike needs the money for those charm classes he should be taking
Take Care, Sgt
P.S. I remember when my boys took the classes and I agree with you about some of those kids.....but then they are reflections of their parents aren't they? Both my boys passed on their own, if they were too stupid to understand what was being taught, I wouldn't let them shoot. I was only there for moral support and to make sure Mike, or anyone else, didn't screw with them. Both boys outscored most of the adults there, but then even at ten years old, either of them could have given the "Gun Safety" lectures from memory
I was raised to believe that my most important job, was to teach my children about life and so far it looks like I've done a pretty good job. Sounds like you are as well and I wish you continued success in that regard!!
Semper Fi, Sgt
