SORVADC News

March meeting minutes

mikes1 | 25 April, 2008 21:02

S.O.R.V.A. Meeting

March 31, 2008 at The Rusty Rail

Present: Keith Lynch, Mike Stier, Scott Poisson, Marie Poisson, Lee Hendrickson.

Robert Katona (UP trails program analyst) Michigan DNR unable to attend meeting tonight due to the weather.

Tim Kobasic... Practical Skills Track

250 kids went through the ORV Safety class since 2004 and got $20 credit per child, this is through the Sheriff’s Department, $3000 will be used for education. They need more people to teach the class looking to SORVA to help out with training. It takes a minimum of 5 hours possibly 6 hours. We would like to have Safety Rodeos.,We have requested we not do hands-on because of the liability, now under SORVA we could insure this type of course. We have the potential of getting 4 machines that are being retired from the sheriff dept, to keep on hand for people to try. Most of the kids taking the class are already riding and don’t realize the rules, even the parents don’t know the rules. Not sure how big it is going to be but it will be by the U.P. Fairgrounds. It will be a one day class. People can call the Sheriff dept, to be put on the list for the next upcoming ORV safety class when there is enough interest to hold class they will scheduled it, they will call the kids (up to 50 kids per class)

Raino Maki... Trail Map

Raino has done a lot of work with the Hiawatha National Forest updating the trail maps. They are supposed to be updated yearly. We need to look at the long term goal of where we want our trails to go. As a club this is what we have to do. Forrest Service thought we wanted gravel trails, roads to ride. This is not true, it is preferred to have 2 rut roads but we are going to have partial sand. Hopefully there will be trails that will take you by gas stops, restaurants, hotels, etc.

Keith Lynch... Trail Rangers Program (Courtesy Patrol)

This program is very successful in Minnesota and Wisconsin. This would require at least 2 people from each club to ride on a particular weekend. Right now there are 3 areas, East, West and North. We are in the West. Patrols would hand out literature, information and education on safe riding and respecting trail riding. There would be a 4 hour training session, with first aid, CPR & machine maintenance. Each member participating will be reimbursed for gas consumption going to and from the sight to be patrolled as well as the gas used while on patrol. This program would run from May through September. If they have a lot of people they may ask more than 2 from each group to help out.

Mike Stier... Membership

The stronger our membership is the more we are going to be heard at State level. He has nicknamed the new trail between Escanaba and Hermansville the “Hermanaba Trail”.

Stump jumpers are interested in having a class for 4-wheelers during their mud bog, this will be late in the summer.

#4323 Bill- Would make everyone be “on the same page” in regards to 4-wheeling rules with respect to riding on county roads. We are waiting for the bill to pass through the house. Please contact Mike Prusi our State Senator to show our interest in having one set of rules. If it doesn’t get passed this year, we might have to start over fresh again. Changing the bills so that 50% will go towards education and county.

The pocket park is undergoing renovations, this is where we would normally have our monthly meetings. New members of SORVA are members of the Great Lakes Gun and Sportsmans Club, will check on the availability of holding our next meeting at their establishment.

Normenco is having a poker run the last weekend in April on the 26th. It will run at establishments between Schaffer and Felch, and end at LaBranch Tavern. May 3rd will be SORVA’s first ride We will be following the Norway trail for maintenance and have a tailgate party at the end of the day. (bring your grilling foods and drinks)

Drawing from the Boat and Sport Show:

  • Spotlight: Ardel Zurawski
  • Tow Rope: Jace Gudner
  • Straps: Chris Ness

First meeting Drawing, winners of 2008 Off Road Trail Stickers:

  • Marsha Bjorkquist
  • Ken Waller

Next Board meeting location will be T.B.D. 7:00pm, April 14th, 2008.

mp

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Start it off Great in 2008!!!!

mikes1 | 12 March, 2008 23:14

The time has come to turn our clocks forward, put away those gas guzzling snowmobiles, and toss out the back breaking shovels. Thats right it is time to dust off those quads and trikes and prepare to ride, ride like the wind!!! While most of you were enjoying the great white outdoors the Officers and board members of SORVA of Delta county were holding meetings, plotting out new trails, filing grant forms, gathering information, and ...... ok we found time to get on the sleds too, but we did get some work done. This year we will start things off with an information booth at the Bayshore Kiwanis Boat and Sport Show March 14,15,16 at the U.P, Statefairgrounds. The committee we formed to meet with the Hiawatha National Forest has gotten together with SORVA of Alger and Schoolcraft, they are currently working out the details of a new loop and destination trail system in the Hiawatha. This is not an overnight project, there are studies to perform, groups to meet and general paperwork which comes with government agencies. However we are making calls and working out the details so we will have an update by our fist meeting. Speaking of meetings we will meet the last Monday of the month at 7:00, our March meeting will be at the Rusty Rail in downtown Cornell. Also we will be taking group rides the first Saturday of every month, the destinations and times will be discussed at the meeting prior to the ride. SORVA is also working on new trials in the Gladstone/ Rapid River area, these may be ready to ride this summer. We are also in the works with some other local entities to try and develop a skills course to be used primarily for ORV safety training. There is just recently more movement on HB 4323 which would allow for ORV travel down the side of select county roads. We have a lot of things happening this year so try and attend the meetings and check the website for more updates, because if we stay informed and work together we can really improve riding oppurtunties in Delta county and the central U.P. Make sure if you know if someone interestred in riding and really making a difference have them join our club, we will welcome anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors, ride, and preserve our natural surroundings. Remember stay on designated trails, do not trespass or litter and always ride within your ability. SORVA of Delta county would like to thank you in advance for your support and we look forward to meeting you on the trail.

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