March, 2008
Be a Part of the Solution
Don Reed– PRESIDENT
I don’t think of the season as ending; there
are just eight months of bad sledding ahead. The season may be
winding down on the trail but it continues for some of us. We have a
lot on our plate for the summer months ahead. At the last Snowmobile
Advisory Council (SAC) meeting, Mindy Koch from the Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) came to the meeting extending an olive
branch to work as a team again for the best interests of
snowmobiling. MSA’s leadership has always wanted a partnership, and
always worked for the best interest of every snowmobiler. The SAC
committee was enacted by state law years ago. It was developed to
represent snowmobilers and businesses affected by snowmobiling. We
know the program is far from perfect, and we are striving to
continually improve it. Our grant sponsors and the state alike need
a program that is user friendly — a catch 22 scenario benefits no
one. In fact, it hinders the program by dividing up the team, and
ultimately affects the trail system.
We Care About theSnowmobile Program
The snowmobiling community needs to stand up
and shout; this is our money, we care and here is how we would like
to see our program run. We would like to see the effort put forth to
tailor it to the users. We want the growth of the program to be
dictated by the user, which means snowmobilers. Snowmobilers expect
safe and smooth connecting trails throughout the state. Now, how do
we get there and stay a premier snowmobile system? The answer is
simple — quality management. That means a dedicated team consisting
of DNR program managers, DNR field contacts, the state association,
grant sponsors, snowmobile clubs and volunteers who care.
The grant sponsors have a huge stake in this as
they need to produce a quality trail system in their area, and they
are the ones who catch the flack when a rider experiences a rough
trail. I consider the grant sponsors the backbone of the premier
trail system we have in the state of Michigan. As snowmobilers, we
have come to expect top-notch, quality trails and that puts our
grant sponsors on the spot. They have a lot of work to do to stay on
top. They need updated equipment, a great maintenance program and
operators who care about providing a quality trail. That is a mighty
big mission, so how do they do it?
Good Equipment
Too many items contribute to this mission to
cover in one article. Let me touch on the equipment issue. Grant
sponsors rely a lot on historical experience and continuity. They
know what kinds of equipment suits their region. They understand the
snow conditions in their area and the terrain. The days of grooming
three days a week with an Alpine Ski-Doo are gone forever. There
isn’t a piece of equipment out there that is specifically designed
for trail grooming. The equipment we are using is designed for ski
hill applications or farming. This causes continuous maintenance and
wear and tear issues. The program has elevated to 100 percent grant
coverage for new equipment with a $150,000 cap. We are still working
on getting 100 percent coverage for major repairs. This is a concern
as trail permit and registration sales dictate the amount of monies
used for new equipment each year. Low snowfalls, the state economy
and other influences have decreased these sales causing a ripple
effect in new equipment purchases.
Groomer replacement was down this year to only
seven verses the norm of approximately 20. Consequently, grant
sponsors have been dealing with excessive maintenance costs to keep
their equipment on the trails. The ripple effect continues as this
means less time on the trails due to repairs and less trade in
values for the equipment. One of our goals this year is to get major
repair costs covered 100 percent for groomers old enough to be
replaced, but fell below the funding line to be replaced. The cost
of equipment has sky rocketed, and we need to tailor our program
accordingly.
For Their Efforts
That being said, I would like to end my monthly
columns in the future by recognizing a few dedicated volunteers who
make a difference in your ride. This month, I would like to
recognize Dale Declare, groomer coordinator for the Jordan Valley
Council; Bob Eller, president of the Alpena Snowmobile Club and
Bruce Berry, groomer operator for the Seney Snowmobile Association.
Two thumbs up to these gentlemen for their efforts in making a
difference. If you know of someone in your area who goes that extra
mile for our trail system, let me know, and I will do my best to
recognize them. Keep the track side down!
February, 2008
Accountability
Don Reed– PRESIDENT
My phone has been ringing off the hook about
the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) finding $10 million to
operate with. Everyone is concerned whether there is snowmobile
money in this mystery money. For the past 2-1/2 years the state
program administration (DNR) has had issues of accountability with
the grant sponsors. They were concerned that funds were being
requested for grooming that wasn’t being performed. They have taken
steps to ensure this doesn’t happen, and I think this is a positive
thing.
I have explained in past articles that
snowmobiling is self-sufficient, funded solely by money from
snowmobilers through trail stickers and registrations. It is
important that we have methods in place to ensure our money is being
spent wisely. This has created more paperwork, of course, for grant
sponsors. As most grant sponsor secretaries are, my grant sponsor
secretary (my wife) is not too thrilled about this. It has also
gotten the DNR field contact involved at the local level, which has
been a positive thing. Overall the grant sponsors do a great job of
reporting their costs back to the program, and checks and balances
in any program are a must.
Providing Safe Trails
For me to explain all the details is impossible
in this article. We have great grant sponsors. Some don’t understand
the workings of the program, but hey ... I get confused at times,
and that is why we have MSA — to assist the average snowmobiler who
has volunteered his time in this program to provide safe trails for
all who ride.
Being a snowmobiler myself, logging 4,300 miles
last year, I understand snowmobilers want the best bang for their
buck. When the groomers are out, they need to be cutting moguls and
not just going through the motions. When volunteers are out brushing
and signing, they need to picture the trail as it is in the winter
and not half-stepping on the job. We as snowmobilers expect to have
smooth, safe trails; that’s what we pay our $25 for. But it doesn’t
end there. The cost of doing business has gone up.
We replaced seven groomers this season, which
is half of what we do normally — a direct result of lower trail
permit sales, inflation of equipment cost and higher construction
costs for maintenance projects.
Looking For Accountability
The good ole days of a grant sponsor replacing
a bridge or culvert without engineers involved has long gone. This
raises the construction cost. Now a project that used to cost
$25,000 can cost $85,000–$140,000. Not just for the engineering
fees, but for the extra construction requirements required by
different state functions — DEQ, forest certification and Natural
Rivers. Of course, I have to mention that this process causes a lot
of extra time on the grant sponsor for administration and
construction monitoring that they don’t get reimbursed for. The
grant sponsor doesn’t get paid for administration fees like the DNR
does. This brings me back to accountability; that goes two ways.
Regardless of our trail permit sales, the DNR
takes an increasing amount of money to administer the grant program.
I know that the Snowmobile Advisory Committee (SAC) has asked for a
breakdown of this cost requirement and has yet to receive it. It is
not unreasonable for us to request to see where our money is going.
Some might think my articles are all negative,
but I like to think of them as proactive. My business gives me face
time to talk to snowmobilers at a more personal level. This has made
me realize that most snowmobilers don’t understand the intricacies
of the program. As I take the time to explain things, you can see
the lights go on. So I have made it my personal agenda to inform the
public. It’s a big task, but we have to educate Johnny Joe Sledder.
For you Yamaha riders (that means you Chuck McGathy) that’s Johnny
skeptical.
We’re in This Together
We all want what is good for snowmobiling.
Grant sponsors want a program that’s user friendly, and snowmobilers
want their money put on the trails, not in some bureaucrat’s
paycheck or their hidden agenda slush fund. MSA wants all of the
above and a partnership with the state that works. We are in the
same boat; let’s row together. So let’s get new members and you
active members come to our meetings and get the straight talk; not
from some Web site/chat room that is just hearsay. MSA meeting dates
can be found on page 7. Get ‘r’ Done and Keep the Track Side Down!
P.S Call me and I’ll give anyone the straight
talk with no hidden agendas. Cell: (906) 287-0259.
January 1, 2008
Who’s Who?
Don Reed– PRESIDENT
First off, I would like to thank everyone for
expressing their confidence in me by electing me to represent you as
president this year. MSA is known nationwide for its organization,
and Michigan continues to be used as a leader and example to other
states for the management of our trail system. I am truly honored to
be a part of this.
I would also like to thank Ken Scott for the
work he has done as president and for asking me to support him as
his vice for the past two years. He accomplished many positive
things during his reign and made a big difference in our
organization. He may have moved to the position of immediate past
president, but his leadership has not pasted. As a continued member
on our executive board, his knowledge and guidance will still be an
integral part of our organization.
Jim Dickie will have my back as vice president.
He has organizational experience from his local club, the Chesaning
Area Snowmobile Association, and a lot of enthusiasm for
snowmobiling. He is eager to get more involved, and I welcome him
aboard.
Dale Israel has stepped down as secretary after
24 years of dedicated service. He and his wife Niki have been at
every volunteer function I have attended since my involvement in MSA,
which is a lot less than 24 years. He jumped in with two feet and
never stopped running; that kind of dedication is hard to come by
these days. His experience, knowledge, and dedication will be
remembered and sorely missed. Thanks for all both of you have given,
and given up, for snowmobiling. I am quite sure that we will still
see you guys at most of the functions and probably still in a
volunteer capacity.
Your New Secretary
That leads me into welcoming aboard our newly
elected secretary, Bruce Wood. Bruce hails from the Jordan Valley
Council and of course is a snowmobile enthusiast. He also brings
grooming experience to the team. Bruce shares equal enthusiasm with
motorcycles. You’ll probably come to recognize him at all the summer
events on his Harley. Welcome to the executive board Bruce.
My personal enthusiasm for snowmobiling brings
me to wear many different hats. Other than president of MSA, I am
also the president of my local club (Seney Snowmobile Association),
run our local grooming operation, groom myself as often as I can and
am a business owner who understands snowmobiling’s economic impact.
Trying to keep the proper hat on when I write these articles is
sometimes difficult. My passion for snowmobiling is strong, and they
tend to bleed over each other sometimes.
MSA Represents Snowmobiling
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has
accused MSA of stirring the pot with the Grant Handbook, saying the
grant sponsors didn’t have a problem with it before we brought it
up. MSA was originally developed to represent snowmobilers at the
state level, and that’s what we are doing. The grant sponsors came
to us with their concerns, and we reacted. They are the backbone of
snowmobiling as we know it. They are responsible for, and do all the
maintenance and grooming of the trails — not to mention the
countless volunteer hours they put in and the fundraisers they
organize to keep things going. Being involved in my local club, I
can relate to this; I know what it takes. I have the ultimate
respect for these guys and gals. I hope that during my reign as
president our paths may cross, so I can personally thank them.
I know not everyone is cut out to be involved
at the level I am, but I encourage all snowmobilers to at least
become a member of their local club and MSA. Showing your support in
us by becoming a member means more than you know; not only for the
financial backing to maintain our efforts, but for the strength in
numbers that we represent. And for all of you enthusiasts, I will
strive to represent you as president of MSA to the best of my
ability. Keep the Track Side Down!
December 1, 2007
Thank You All
by Ken Scott
There’s a saying, “Time flies when you’re having
fun,” and it couldn’t be more fun for me and my time as an MSA
officer. Serving two years as vice president and two years as
president have flown by, and it seems just like yesterday when I
became an officer. It has been an honor and a privilege to be part
of this great organization. Gail and I were talking (on the way home
from the MSA Hastings Snow Show) about how different our lives would
be if we weren’t snowmobilers and involved in organized
snowmobiling. We have met and become friends with so many fine
people over the last 20 plus years. Many friendships have developed
into what we feel will be life-long friendships. After I became an
officer, we had the opportunity to meet and get to know snowmobilers
from not only the U.S., but from Canada, Sweden and Russia.
Snowmobilers are great people!
Volunteers Make It Happen
I think I will remember the volunteers who make
MSA the organization it is the most. Without their dedication and
passion for the way we recreate, Michigan wouldn’t be the leader and
force it is. It never fails to amaze me — the people who meet the
challenge and step up to the plate when a call for volunteers to
help on a particular project is made. These volunteers are
dedicated, honest and hard working people, but they still know how
to have fun.
The grant sponsors are also really special. Many
may have snowmobiled at one time and many never snowmobiled, but
they are volunteers who work tirelessly year round trying to keep
our trail system the best it can be. They take tremendous pride in
providing a smooth ride and a great experience every time you get on
your sled and take to the trail.
After attending a meeting with the DNR on Nov. 8
in Lansing (facilitated by members of the National Resources
Commission), a compromise was reached regarding the equipment
specifications in 2008 Handbook for the grooming grant sponsors.
However, the written adjustments have not been reviewed at the time
of publication, and grant agreements have not been reached or signed
by grant sponsors. With snowmobiling providing so much to winter
tourism and most of the work and effort provided by volunteers, I
hope the groundwork has now been laid so that more of a “we”
relationship can exist between the DNR, MSA and grant sponsors
rather than an “us” versus “them” situation.
At a recent meeting it was said that snowmobilers
are “passionate” about their activity, and indeed we are! We pay our
own way! There is NO money in our fund that hasn’t come from
snowmobilers. As I leave office, my one major hope is that the
problems facing our grant sponsors will soon be resolved in a fair
and equitable manner for snowmobiling and all it provides the state.
Perhaps it is time to have the snowmobile program become privatized
without all of the bureaucracy and cost attached to a state-managed
grant.
New Officers Need Your Support
It is with deep appreciation that I thank your
officers and board of directors for all their help and support
during these last two years; and especially to my wife, Gail, for
all her help, support and tolerance with me through some trying
times. Your new officers will need you and your participation, so
try and get involved. Work hard to sign up new members, think snow
and promote safe riding. I hope to see some new faces as I attend
the meetings and continue to work for the betterment of our
organization.
Happy Holidays and have a great and safe snow
year! See you down the trail …
November 1, 2007
Just My Thoughts ...
by Ken Scott
As my term as your president winds down, I would like to share my
hopes for the future of the Michigan Snowmobile Association. It is
always easy at the beginning of a term to be so optimistic as to
think that during your reign you can change the world. Just as my
predecessors, I found that it is a team effort, and we are here only
to continue the ideas and efforts of those who walked in these shoes
before us. There are new and increased challenges of different
colors, but we are here to better snowmobiling as a whole and keep
snowmobiling a viable form of activity for the future.
First and foremost is membership! We have to find a way to increase
membership in MSA. Single and family memberships have increased
somewhat; however commercial memberships have declined sharply. Our
membership chairperson and his committee have worked diligently to
find ways to attract new members. We need current members to help
recruit new people. If each member signed up one friend, relative or
acquaintance who snowmobiles, our organization would benefit
greatly.
Yes, I know the snowfall has a big bearing on interest, but the
business of snowmobiling goes on and we need your support. The
stronger our numbers, the more we are heard in Lansing and
Washington, D.C., when issues affecting the way we recreate are at
stake.
New Council Formed
Many MSA members belong to clubs, which in turn belong to councils
throughout the state. Our Board of Directors is elected from these
councils. I’m very happy to announce that a new council has been
formed in southeastern Lower Michigan. This has been a longtime goal
and it has finally happened! Welcome to the Southeast Michigan
Council, and we are looking forward to your representation at our
meetings.
Fundraising to keep our organization solvent is a constant source of
concern. The Super Raffle for the four sleds has helped support many
of our activities, but we need additional income. Your officers and
directors have been working hard to come up with some new ideas to
generate income. New fundraisers this year include a Michigan
Snowmobile Education and Advancement Fund (MSEAF) cruise raffle, a
MSEAF group cruise sale, address labels, a memorial/honorarium fund,
snowmobile note/Christmas cards and more. We expect these ideas to
bear fruit. If you have any other ideas or projects that you feel
could help keep MSA financially sound, please let us know.
Safety and good trails go hand in hand. Michigan has come a long way
as far as reducing accidents. There is still much to be done. Zero
Tolerance, riding at a reasonable speed, peer pressure, staying on
your side of the trail, adequate law enforcement and safety
education all contribute. Respecting private property, staying on
the trail, obeying local laws and keeping the trail clean makes
snowmobile riding the experience we all want. It only takes a few
outlaws to result in trail closure and loss, especially on private
land. It also results in unfavorable press! My wish is for everyone
to be able to ride a smooth trail and enjoy what our trail system
has to offer (come on snow!) without worrying about meeting someone
riding on or over the edge.
A
Strong United Voice
Our trail system is under constant pressure from radical,
non-motorized groups. They don’t like us, are well funded and have
one mindset — keeping us from enjoying our choice of recreation.
This will be an ongoing fight. It will not get any easier or less
costly to fight this faction. My hope for the future is a strong
united voice of the Michigan Snowmobile Association, a voice that
can be heard loud and clear wherever it is needed to move
snowmobiling forward in the years to come.
May Mother Nature send us some good snow early and throughout our
favorite time of year. It is about time we had a good snow year.
Your grant sponsors are facing some very difficult challenges this
year — other than worrying about the snowfall. They would certainly
welcome your participation. Maybe I will see you on the trail as I
plan to do more riding.
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
October 1, 2007
A Little of This
and a Little of That ...
by Ken Scott
With our season rapidly approaching, I would
like to jump around a bit and cover several things that have been on
my mind - so bear with me.
Let’s Talk Safety
First — safety!
Last season was again safer for Michigan, with fewer fatalities and
accidents. However, we need to continue stressing “Zero Tolerance”
while riding, controlling speed and being responsible for our own
actions. Our membership is a small portion of the total snowmobile
community (wish it was larger), so we as the choir must preach to
the congregation to “ride safe.” We require our young people to take
a safety training class, then the media talks about accidents where
speed and alcohol were involved — setting a bad example for them. We
have improved, but we can still do better.
Respect Landowners
Second – respect
private property! The majority of snowmobilers stay on the trail and
respect landowners who have given us permission to use their land.
This includes state and national forests. There are always a few
people who look at the wide-open farmer’s field or a hill in a
national forest and think, “What the heck!” and ride off the trail.
Who does this affect? It affects all of us. We are now labeled
“trespassers.” When you, as a member of MSA, see this going on,
don’t be shy about confronting the offenders. If we don’t speak up,
the consequences aren’t good. Another trail closes! We need to be
proactive.
Keeping MSA Strong
Third – support
MSA! Like many other entities in Michigan, we have to take a hard
look at how we run our organization. Our commercial memberships have
dropped and the single and family memberships are stagnant. Your
directors are working in many areas to keep us a strong and viable
voice for the snowmobilers of Michigan. This is our 25th anniversary
year, and we are striving to increase our membership,
so we can continue to grow as an organization. With your help, let’s
see if we can increase those numbers.
Supporting MSEAF
Also, your
directors have decided to support MSEAF with an additional raffle.
A raffle that we’re hoping will appeal to snowmobilers as well as
non-snowmobilers.
Thinking outside
the box, we are hoping that a cruise raffle (including airfare and
insurance) will appeal to you as well as your friends and family who
don’t snowmobile. The raffle will be limited to 300 tickets, selling
for $100 each. Now, if the cruise in the raffle isn’t the cruise of
your dreams or it isn’t a good time to go, you may opt for a gift
card that does not expire. This gift card equals the value of the
advertised cruise package. You can apply this to a cruise of your
choice.
To offset some of
the cost of the raffle, we are also promoting a spring cruise sale.
Talk it up and we can make this work. What are you going to do when
the snow melts? Be thinking about someone you can relax with after
spending the cold weather months riding. I can picture couples
basking in the sun remembering the great rides they had last winter.
After all, snowmobile friends aren’t just cold weather friends.
Silver Anniversary Celebration
Lastly — our Silver Anniversary Convention! Our 25th
anniversary comes around only once, and our chairman, “The Real” Jim
Duke, has been really working
to make this celebration something to remember. Shanty Creek has
been remodeled and from the pictures I’ve seen, it looks great.
Please try to attend, vote in the election of officers and support
MSA. There are new challenges every day for MSA, and rest assured we
are working hard on behalf of all our best interests.
Yeah, I jumped around a lot. I hope there is a
message here for all of you; we need you and your support. See you
in Shanty Creek. Think snow! e
September 1, 2007
Looking Forward to the New
Season
by Ken Scott
It’s
summertime and the living is supposed to be easy. I’m sitting in
85-degree weather writing my article for this issue thinking
snow. It’s hard to think about snowmobiling, but before we turn
around twice our favorite season will be here. If wishes were
snowflakes, we would have tons of snow this winter. After a couple
of seasons that were less than we had hoped, we are due for a good
‘ole Michigan winter.
However, the business continues and your association
has been quite active — even in the off-season. Last April, we again
spent three days in Washington, D.C., meeting with our elected
officials and others. This was another successful trip for our
delegation, which is now well recognized in the halls of Congress.
The camp out provided a great time with ideal
weather, but attendance was about half — down compared to other
years. I think that $3 a gallon gas probably had a lot to do with
the turn out, even though it was held in the southwestern lower.
Golfing, tubing, a potluck, bonfire, kids’ games and good
old-fashioned camaraderie were the highlights. “Hat’s off” to Mike
Melton and Rob King for a job well done with this year’s camp out.
MSA will have
again been at Nelson’s Sno Motion in late August. We hope the
attendance will be up as opposed to August 2006. Attendance reflects
the benefit to MSA for volunteering at this event.
Upcoming MSA Events
Our Hastings MSA Snow Show is set for Oct. 12-14,
2007, at the Barry County Fairgrounds. We will again be looking for
volunteers to donate their time to help make the show a success.
Anyone interested, please contact the MSA office for information. We
always have room for more vendors. The swap meet gets bigger every
year and it is good place to pick up bargains or sell items.
This is our 25th
Anniversary Year for MSA and our convention and general membership
meeting, Oct. 26-28, 2007, will reflect this in earnest! This is
going to be “a very special event” promises Chairman and
Past-President, Jim Duke. He has contests planned that will pit club
against club, an auction, entertainment, lots of prizes and much,
much more. I am hoping for a large turnout as a silver anniversary
only comes around once. Please plan on coming to Shanty Creek and
bring your member friends for the big bash. Also, the annual
election of officers will take place on Sunday and your vote is very
important, if you want a say in who will be representing your
snowmobiling interests for MSA.
Last winter the
shortage of snow in most areas during December and January put a
real damper and strain on our season. The number of trail permits
sold was down substantially, which will affect our 2007-08 grooming
season. It has also affected our membership — especially our
commercial members. We know commercial members appreciate snowmobile
business and MSA needs their membership support so we can continue
to work on things that will keep our trail system number one in the
U. S.
Be Part of the Solution
Our Super Raffle
is in progress and I urge you to put forth an extra effort for
selling tickets. This is a major fundraiser and there is an endless
list of prizes again this year. Clubs and members please put on your
selling hats and support the Michigan Snowmobile Education and
Advancement Fund (MSEAF). Your board is also working on some other
non-dues income items that will be announced in future issues.
Our next meeting will be Sept. 22, 2007, at 9 a.m.
at Audie’s Restaurant (back meeting room) in Mackinaw City. New
faces are always welcome to come and participate in the business of
MSA. “If you are not part of the solution, then you may be part of
the problem.” Please make the effort to attend and be involved.
Get out and help the grant sponsors get the trails
ready for riding and enjoy the fall weather. Hope to see you at the
big 25th for the best convention ever!
e
February 1, 2007
Looking Forward
by Ken Scott
Well, at this point I should be riding; however
Mother Nature has been very stingy with the snow. The Western U.P.
seems to have the only snow and that’s minimal at best. Hopefully
when you read this article conditions will have improved for the
better and you’ve all been on a smooth trail somewhere in Michigan
enjoying what we love best.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and Officers, I
would personally like to thank all the contributors to our Michigan
Snowmobile Education & Advancement Fund Raffle. Check out the
Super Rafle Page
for the complete listing. Without their support, the fund
would not be able to function and many of our education and safety
programs could not exist. We hope our relationship will continue and
grow. Again, “thank you” to all. Please remember to patronize these
contributors when you are in their area as they are supporting us in
a big way.
During 2007, MSA will be working on many issues to
keep Michigan a great state for snowmobiling.
·
Noise is a major conflict/complaint in many
communities. So we will be working on getting sound legislation
passed and added to our current laws.
·
We will work with the Snowmobile Advisory Committee on
a 10- year budget to support Michigan’s trail system.
·
Work will continue with state and local officials to
get portions of permanent trail (railroad grades) reopened that have
been blocked by ownership disputes.
·
Keeping abreast of access issues in Michigan,
nationally and internationally, as many are not just state issues,
is a very important item.
·
Snow Country Trails Conservancy was able to recently
acquire a nine-mile portion of abandoned railroad in the northwest
Lower Peninsula. It’s a small start, but it’s progress.
·
Our Membership Chairman, Denny Zoet, and Co-Chair,
David Low, have been working extremely hard to increase our
membership. We need to grow! Read about the new contest they have
devised for membership and the great prizes that will be given out.
·
Our presence in Lansing and Washington, D.C., will
continue. It is so important to let our legislators know about our
concerns.
·
The numbers show that the “Zero Tolerance” program is
working and we will continue to support “Zero Tolerance” and
safety.
·
Your Directors and Officers will be available to hear
your ideas because we want many more of you involved in the forward
direction we must go to continue to be a benchmark organization.
As the year progresses, I will try to keep you
updated on any new issues as they appear.
Please check our meeting schedule and attend a
meeting. I am looking forward to getting acquainted with more of
you. Perhaps we will meet on the snow or at the Ride In in February.
Officers will be attending Trail Stops in January at Raco in the
U.P. and in Millersburg in the northeast Lower Peninsula — weather
permitting. The Groomer Workshop is the first weekend in March in
Wetmore. You can find more info in the magazine or on the Web site.
Looking forward to a
fruitful 2007 for all. Ride safe!
Upside/Downside
by Ken Scott
January 8, 2007
Letters, We Get Letters and E-Mails
We are constantly looking for the best way to
provide the best trails we can without wearing out the volunteers
who maintain the trail grooming operations.
Your comments and thoughts are most welcome and give
me ideas for these articles knowing what your concerns are. Numerous
e-mails and correspondence have come in regarding increasing the
trail permit cost and the groomer replacement program.
There are 60 plus grant sponsors responsible for
maintaining Michigan’s trail system. Many, but not all, are clubs
made up of volunteers. The others are Chambers of Commerce and
Convention Bureaus. Without sounding repetitive, many of these clubs
cannot buy new equipment without borrowing their part of the
purchase price from a lending institution. Groomers (ag tractors,
tracked vehicles, etc.) are now running $150,000 to $165,000 per
unit. Drags cost up to $10,000 or more. These units in many cases
wear out or become maintenance burdens plus have little or no
trade-in value when kept over five years. Thus small clubs never
become debt free, just more in debt. The only alternative is that
they cannot afford the cost to continue to groom. This (among other
things) was the reasoning to pay 100 percent of the groomer/drag
cost.
When looking at the different types of machines
available (tracked, ag tractors, etc), it was felt that the program
would be best served to roll over the tracked vehicles at 3,000
hours or three years — whichever comes first. There are other
guidelines incorporated in the plan that addresses areas with
shorter grooming seasons and snow. Equipment dealers advised us that
this turnover would be most cost effective and not glut the market.
The units would have the best trade-in value and should be
relatively free from major repairs. Many of the units in the U.P.
and Northern Lower Peninsula operate six to seven days a week, 18-24
hours a day; it doesn’t take long for the hours to build up. It was
felt with the higher trade-in values and lower repair costs our
grant sponsors will be able to have better equipment resulting in
better trails — provided Mother Nature cooperates.
Some comments that I received said that farm
tractors last 8-10 years on a farm. That’s true, but most don’t
operate the hours and under the conditions a groomer does. The
application is entirely different.
This is a nutshell look at where the program is
headed. A lot of thought, time and effort from all sides were
exercised. The program is still in its infancy and will experience
changes as it continues to evolve. We are constantly looking for the
best way to provide the best trails we can without wearing out the
volunteers who maintain the trail grooming operations. Watch for
additional updates in this magazine as we progress.
Admiring Michigan’s Beauty
One of our snowmobile friends from Pennsylvania and
I were reminiscing the other day about rides we enjoyed together. We
talked about how we would admire all the beauty we experienced on a
day’s ride. We felt this had changed somewhere along the way. Some
like to ride fast to see how many miles they can go in a day,
unaware of what they are missing. Michigan trails offer so much
diverse beauty from the Porkies to the Kingston Plains, to the
Jordan Valley and more. What better way to spend a winter day or
week than taking a leisurely ride with friends and family to enjoy
what nature has blessed on us? What a great way to introduce new
people to snowmobiling and show them why we are so passionate about
what we do! Please take time this month to look around you as you
ride and inhale the crisp air (I can’t say “smell the machines”
anymore), admire and savor all the magnificence out there along the
trail. Rediscover for yourself the wonder of our state.
I
look forward to talking to you at our trail stops and the Ride-In at
the Soo.
Ken
Snowmobiling is
the major winter recreation in Michigan.
MSA, along with grant holders, has been hard at it
trying to get our trail system ready for the upcoming season. As I
told you last month, the snowmobile program is going to finance
groomers and drags 100 percent (with a cap). That is really good
news. In the future, this will save the grant holders from running
to the bank to finance their equipment, forcing them to be in debt
most of the time. As groomer costs continue to increase, it was felt
this was a good way to continue having the best equipment out there.
That relates to good trails as long as Mother Nature sends us lots
of white stuff. Funding for this program is still in the planning
stage, but progress is being made.
Frustration Mounts
Now, the downside! As we talk with grant holders,
we are hearing frustration with the inability to get new trails,
reroutes, bridges, etc. done in a timely manner. Reams of paperwork,
meetings with landowners, meetings with county road commissions,
meetings with township boards, meetings with Department of
Environmental Quality (DEQ) personnel and more takes hours, weeks,
and months of volunteer time.
It seems that we must now look at new bridges and
other special maintenance projects taking two years or more to
complete. An approved firm must engineer most projects. The DEQ must
approve the design and issue a permit. Seven page forms to apply for
a culvert or bridge seems like overkill. Bidding the bridge cost and
excavation work must be advertised and a low bidder selected. Each
grant holder is responsible for doing most of the paper work — done
again by volunteers.
If the DNR contact person is on vacation, no one
fills in for them and paperwork just sits until he/she returns and
catches up. Also, if the contact person is off fighting fires (their
primary job) this can cause further delays. I, personally, would
like to see one DNR person dedicated SOLELY to the snowmobile
program year round as well as a field contact for each area
dedicated only to snowmobiling. The present system is not fair to
the field contact personnel or the snowmobile program.
Get to Know Your
Local Politicians
Getting in and out of towns and populated areas can
be a dogfight. While the business people want us, some residents
don’t. With state government putting greater emphasis on tourism,
you would think those trails into towns would be a no-brainer. This
isn’t always the case! Use of county roads for snowmobile travel
seems to be a constant problem. A road commission or township board
will decide to close a road without regard to the economic effect it
might have on some businesses. As you can see, knowing your local
politicians is extremely important too.
Snowmobiling is THE major winter recreation in
Michigan. It would seem, given that the major portion of the work
supporting it is done by volunteers, the administration of the
snowmobile program would be made as simple and easy as possible.
Enough already! Next time you are out riding in
Mother Nature’s beauty, remember trails don’t just happen. Your
interest and participation is so important. You don’t purchase the
trail with the machine. Snowmobiling has now become big business
with all the tribulations that go with big business. Thank goodness
for all the dedicated volunteers who are still fighting to keep
Michigan’s snowmobile trails number one in the United States. We
think it is worth it!
Think Snow!
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