Tuesday, January 30, 2001
Rensselaer Corridor Trail Closing due to ATVs - Ed @ 10:02 EST
A letter from Mr. Mark Ferren
To: Decent Snowmobilers:
I am Mark Ferran, a landowner. The 1999-2000 NYS State Corridor Trail Map shows a westerly part of the Rensselaer loop passing through my family's 300 acre property in the Town of Grafton. As far as I know, there is no other mountain-pass in the town of Grafton for snowmobiles to safely descend the Rensselaer Escarpment (which the Grafton State Park is on top of) other than through our land. We do not allow anyone to operate an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) on my Family's lands. ATVs and their knobby tires are destructive, and have deeply damaged our land and private roads. Typically ATV trespassers are delinquents or other lawless people who knowingly trespass and commit other illegal acts while on private property. ATVers have burned vehicles and dwellings of landowners in this County. When caught riding on my private trails, many masked ATV operators are hard to stop without the use of lawful physical force and/or intimidation. They often try to pass and escape anonymously by menacing with their vehicles and running me off my trail in a dangerous game of chicken (a felony). I have found that I can only win that dangerous game of chicken when I am lawfully walking with Mr. Mossberg in front of me, or walking with Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson by my side. I have flattened many trespassers' tires. Frequently, ATV riders who I succeed in stopping will say they entered my family's private property because they saw a "snowmobile" trail map or trail marker, and they just pretend to think that ATVs are welcome where snowmobiles have been allowed to pass. ATVs are not welcome. I will close off our property and I will not permit snowmobilers to pass through my Family's land after this snow season ends unless local and state snowmobilers provide greater assistance in excluding or deterring trespass by ATVs. This may require the construction of vandal-proof and truck-proof gates; posting warnings against ATV trespass along all snowmobile trails; frequent citizen's arrest by snowmobilers of ATVers caught trespassing on private property. I will be sending a letter to the Snowmobile Trail Map people in the State Department of Parks directing them to delete the segment of Rensselaer County Corridor Trail on my family's land unless and until they hear from me again. The closure to snowmobiles of my family's land could result in the closure of a significant segment of or all of the Rensselaer loop, and the loss of trail funding. Snowmobilers should take notice that ATV trespass is threatening the sport of snowmobiling, in Rensselaer County, in the Adirondacks, and elsewhere. Snowmobilers should accordingly work together with landowners and state agents to exclude, stop, identify, prosecute and convict trespassing ATVers.
Mark Ferran BSEE scl JD mcl
TheWrittenLaw@aol.com
(518) 427-0577
Wednesday, January 24, 2001
Webster Trail Alert - Ed @ 16:13 EST
TRAIL ALERT TRAIL ALERT TRAIL ALERT AREA - NORTH EASTERN SECTION OF THE TOWN OF ONTARIO THIS TRAIL SECTION IS PRESENTLY CONNECTED ONLY BY PUTNAM RD. WHIILE TRAVELING THIS ARFA PLEASE STAY ON THE PROPER PORTION OF THE ROADSIDE AND EXTEND THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR THE ADJACENT PRIVATE PROPERTIES. THE WAYNE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS SITUATION. TO ASSURE SAFE AND LEGAL PASSAGE IN THIS AREA YOU MAY WANT TO REVIEW THE NYS SNOWMOBILE LAW IN REGARD TO sNOWMOBILE TRAVEL ALONG ROADSIDES. IN RESPECT TO ALL PRIVATE HOMEOWNERS ON PUTNAM RD, I aM ASKING ALL, SNOWMOBILERS TO REFRAIN FROM USING THIS AREA FOR SNOWMOBILE TRAVEL BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 11PM AND 7AM. RESPECTFULLY- Tom Nelson
ALL SNOWMOBILES TRAVELING EAST OF FURNACE RD OR WEST OF FISHER RD NEAR OR AT SHEPHERD RD.
Thursday, January 18, 2001
Snowmobiling in the PARK Needs Help! - Ed @ 19:29 EST
NYSDEC has announced a new comprehensive plan for the sport of snowmobiling in the Adirondack Park. On the surface it sounds good but we as snowmobilers must be aware of what the environmental groups are trying to do with this new plan. They are attempting to remove snowmobiling from the Adirondacks. Do not believe otherwise. The hope of the plan is to create a plan that will allow more trails to link towns through out the Park. The New York State Snowmobile Association urges you and your friends to get out to the meetings in your area statewide and urge the state to stick to the proposed plan and not sell the Adirondacks to the environmental special interests. The major goals of the planning effort will be to: · Develop a secondary trails system that would link the corridor system and connect to necessary support services (gas, food, lodging, maintenance, trailheads, etc.) The dates and locations are as follows: Monday, February 26, 2001- Town of Webb Park Ave Offices (Gym) in Old Forge, NY; Herkimer County, 4-7 p.m. 315-369-3121 Thursday, March 8, 2001- Colton Pierpont High School, Colton, NY; St. Lawrence County, 4-7p.m. 315-262-2100 Wednesday, March 14,2001- Town of Queensbury Town Hall, Glens Falls, NY; Warren County, 4-7 p.m. 518-761-8224. Thursday, March 15, 2001- Sanford Library/Town of Colonie Library, Albany County, 3-6 p.m. 518-485-9274. Monday March 19, 2001- Rochester Museum & Science Center (Aud), Rochester, NY, 4-7 p.m. 716-755-7997. Tuesday March 20, 2001- Raddison Hotel (Ball Room), Utica, NY; Oneida County; 4-7p.m. 315-797-8010. Don’t let snowmobiling in the Adirondacks disappear!
· Supplement and amend the statewide Snowmobiles Plan as it relates to the Adirondack Park;
· Develop a community connection system that would:
· Connect major points of interest;
· Connect the trail systems from outside the Adirondacks;
· Focus a corridor trail system on non-state lands;
· Encourage long term commitment of corridor trail systems on private lands
· Utilize to the maximum extent possible routes parallel and near to travel/transportation corridors
· for the new trail development;
· Consider underutilized trails for abandonment; and
· Recognize the importance of minimizing the dependency on lake and road crossings and otherwise unsafe trail conditions;
· Promote tourism and economic opportunities for the local communities;
· Protect natural and cultural resources and the charter of the Adirondacks:
· Protect the principles of Article XIV of the State Constitution;
· Provide an appropriate and enjoyable snowmobile experience;
· Encourage partnerships with the private sector, not-for-profit organizations, state and local governments that will provide, maintain and operate snowmobile trails; and
· Establish a clear set of standards for snowmobile trails and related snowmobile related activities.
NYSSA urges all snowmobilers to get out and make your feelings known about our sport staying in the Adirondacks. You can contact the New York State Snowmobile Association at 315-736-8187 for further information. Or you can contact NYSDEC on the planning efforts and the statewide meetings you can contact Cali Brooks at NYSDEC, 518-897-1211 or the NYSDEC website at www.dec.state.ny.us.
Tuesday, January 09, 2001
In Support of Gale Norton - Ed @ 12:57 EST
January 5, 2001 WHY GALE NORTON SHOULD BE CONFIRMED AS Gale Norton is a Consensus Builder. Gale Norton has worked for over 20 years on environmental and federal land issues. She has demonstrated her commitment to a safe and clean environment by bringing people with differing views together to solve problems on everything from water rights to Superfund sites. Gale Norton is Committed to Enforcing the Law As Attorney General for Colorado, in partnership with other state attorney generals – Republicans and Democrats – she took on the big tobacco companies and won a big settlement that will benefit all of the States. Gail Norton created an environmental crimes task force to prosecute the most flagrant polluters. She played a leading role in the clean up of pollution at mining sites to protect the environment and restore the State’s natural resources. She led the way in ensuring the cleanup of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, personally arguing and winning a landmark case in court to force the federal government and Shell Oil to meet Colorado standards for environmental protection and public health. Gale Norton Believes that Environmental Protection Is Enhanced When Businesses, States, Local Governments, and the Public Work Together. Gale Norton has worked for innovative ways to protect the environment. At Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, Norton researched “emissions trading” approaches, like those later adopted in the Clean Air Act, that create market-based incentives for businesses to reduce emissions. The Colorado “audit law” that Gale Norton supported achieved better environmental protection by encouraging early and full identification of environmental problems and, most importantly, long-term solutions.
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
Sunday, January 07, 2001
NYSSA 2000-2001 FUND RAISER WINNERS - Ed @ 23:49 EST
Congratulations to all Winners CHOICE-ONE OF FOUR 2001 MID-SIZE SLEDS OR $4500.00 CASH- 2001 TRITON TRAILER XT-10-101 - Mark Peckham, Cato, NY STILLWATER HOTEL WEEKEND - S. Owens, Pulaski, NY HTC SNOWMOBILE HELMET - Rod Haag, Eden, NY $100.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE - Joe Martin, Pawtucket, RI HJC SNOWMOBILE HELMET - Ashley Lapham, Pine Bush, NY $100.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE - Joan Homoride, Downsville, NY BAG OF STUDS - Angela Moeller, Pine Bush, NY BAG OF STUDS - Bill Thomas, Sidney Center, NY $75.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE - Dorrene London, Kendall, NY SET OF WOODY’S 4” CARBIDES - Terry Manhardt, Newfane, NY $50.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE - Laurie Putney, Cape Vincent, NY $50.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE - Carlo DeStefano, Modena, NY HJC HELMET BAG - Rich Menke, Brushton, NY HJC HELMET BAG - Debbie Terbush, Grahamsville, NY HJC HELMET BAG - John Mirando, Baldwin, NY HANDLEBAR POD BAG - Mr. & Mrs. S. Tarricone, Baldwinsville, NY
Butch Nichols - Dolgeville,NY
Compliments of NYSSA
Compliments of Snow Cat Country & NYS Triton Trailers
Compliments of Stillwater Hotel
Compliments of Alpin Haus Ski Shop
Compliments of Herkimer Co. Trade & Trail Assoc.
Compliments of Bibbens Sales & Service
Compliments of Cook’s Recreation
Compliments of Stud Boy
Compliments of Stud Boy
Compliments of Beaver River Assoc. of Snowmobilers & Skiers
Compliments of Big Boys Toys
Compliments of Deerfield Sport Shop
Compliments of K & H Kawasaki
Compliments of M & R Sports & Mower
Compliments of M & R Sports & Mower
Compliments of M & R Sports & Mower
Compliments of Design Unlimited II
Tuesday, January 02, 2001
Snowmobile Drag Races - Ed @ 21:39 EST
Snowmobile Drags Sunday January 7, and January 21, 2001 Stock and Modified Classes No admission charge, only a fee to race. For Additional Information Contact:
At: Wheeler Race Park
Located on NYS Rte. 53 - South of Prattsburg - Look for Arrow to the track.
Gates Open 10am -
Racing begins at Noon
$10.00 for 18 and up
$5.00 for 13-17
no charge for 13 and under
Mike Campbell - email - fomc99@yahoo.com
or
716-593-5000