By Peter Day
Staff Writer
State Route 247 is one step closer to obtaining State Scenic Highway designation.
The move is inching forward after Scenic 247 Committee Chairman Betty Munson received a personal letter from Barstow Mayor Julie Hackbarth-McIntyre. The mayor cced the letter to Beverly Lowry, Third District Supervisor James Ramos' Barstow-based field representative.
"A scenic highway designation helps attract tourism, heightens awareness of natural, historical and recreational qualities and promotes the beauty and points of interest on the route," Hackbarth-McIntyre wrote in her letter dated July 5.
The mayor took the opportunity to tout Barstow's attributes.
"As you are aware, the Barstow area has many natural wonders that attract many tourists throughout the year," she wrote. "I look forward to the expected increased tourism in the future for our community from the scenic highway designation."
Although not an official endorsement from the City of Barstow, Hackbarth-McIntyre's letter is positive and an important step, Munson said.
"The mayor and Bev Lowry deserve thanks," Munson said Friday. "Every sponsor counts, and we have several Barstow people who are very tourism-conscious and understand the value of the State Scenic Highway designation."
An appointed member of the Lucerne Valley-Johnson Valley Municipal Advisory Council, Munson has spearheaded the Scenic 247 project. She has given several presentations at meetings such as the LV-JV MAC and promotes its merits to all interested.
"Studies prove that people come to the desert from cities, other states and countries around the world, not for industrialization, but for wide open spaces," according to "The Case For Scenic 247," which was prepared by Munson and Scenic 247 committee. "They seek these open spaces for relaxation, adventure and an opportunity to reconnect with nature. Encouraging visitors will benefit the residents, exporting expensively-generated power will not."
State Route 247 starts in Yucca Valley and travels 78 miles through a portion of Lucerne Valley and other desert areas to Barstow. According to Munson, Highway 247 is labeled by Caltrans as "eligible" for Scenic Highway status.