Rural property rights advocates will hold a panel discussion Oct. 13 at Atascadero High school to talk about what they call “issues of critical importance to our communities.”

The group Defend Rural America will sponsor the event, which begins at 9:30 a.m. at the high school gymnasium, near Highway 101 and Traffic Way.

Kirk MacKenzie, the group’s founder, will discuss “solutions and how to get our country back.”

Scheduled panelists include Del Norte County Sheriff Dean Wilson, Richard Gierak of Siskiyou County, Cal Poly professor Douglas Piirto, rancher Nick Marquardt, off-road advocate Kevin P. Rice and “Hour of the Time” radio show host Doyel Shamley.

Their topics include coastal issues, public land closures, clean air and water standards, federal jurisdiction, property and water rights, “forest mismanagement ” and others.

For more information, go to http://www.DefendRuralAmerica.com   or call Randall Jordan at 391-0209, Mary Jordan at 238-5514 or Gerry Stinchfield at 610-1032.