June 2014 SNOWMOBILER Online

SNOWMOBILER Online

New York June 2014

The Official Publication of the New York State Snowmobile Association

Super

Raffle

SLEDS!

Photo by Jane Chaddock

https://nysnowmobiler.com/

https://www.facebook.com/NewYorkStateSnowmobileAssociation

https://membership.nysnowmobiler.com/

NYSSA Online Magazine

Contact NYSSA: PO Box 1040, Pine Bush, NY 12566-1040 * EMAIL - [email protected] June,2014 - Page 2 TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com

In 2015 the annual Congress is being hosted by NYSSA in Niagara Falls,

June 10-13, 2015!

As we speak, a delegation from NYSSA is attending ISC 2014, in Keystone, Colo-

rado. We’re promoting the 2015 event, as well as observing how the 2014 was set

up and run.

So far, it’s been quite an experience. To organize an event of this magnitude re-

quires dedication and a LOT of people working together. If you would like to as-

sist with this project, give the NYSSA Office a call! We’ll need help during the

event, helping our guests find their way around the Niagara Conference Center,

and with countless small tasks that arise.

~ Gary Broderick and Rosanne Warner, Co-Chairs.

ISC 2015: DID YOU KNOW?

mailto:[email protected]

https://nysnowmobiler.com



SNOWMOBILER Online

New York

Publisher: The New York State

Snowmobile Association

P. O. Box 1040,

Pine Bush, NY 12566-1040

Editor: Anne O’Dell

[email protected]

888-624-3849 x101

2014-15 Officers

President Jim Elmore, 585-813-4610

[email protected]

Vice

President

Randy Phillips, 585-265-1753

[email protected]

Secretary Rosanne Warner, 315-697-8130

[email protected]

Treasurer John Occhino, 845-225-3140

[email protected]

Staff

Executive

Director

Dominic Jacangelo, 888-624-3849 x104

[email protected]

Trail

Coordinator

Jim Rolf, 888-624-3849 x102

[email protected]

General

Manager

Anne O’Dell, 888-624-3849 x101

[email protected]

Membership

Helpline

888-624-3849 x103

[email protected]

Join or Renew Membership Online:

Our Website: www.nysnowmobiler.com

New York State Office of Parks,

Recreation & Historic Preservation’s

Website

www.nysparks.com/recreation/snowmobiles

DMV, Register a Sled: NY Resident

DMV, Register a Sled: Out of State

CONTENTS

ISC 2015: DID YOU KNOW? P.2

President’s Message...Jim Elmore P. 4

2015 SUPER RAFFLE Prize Donation Form P. 5

From the Desk of the Executive Director ...D. Jacangelo P. 9

Time to Get Younger! ...Randy Phillips P. 12

TRAILS: Trail Coordinator Report ...Jim Rolf P. 15

AD RATES

While you wait

for the next season to start… Why not save some money? Sign up for Driver Ed

online. Take the course at your convenience

instead of sitting through a whole long day’s

lecture! And get started saving money on your

vehicle insurance today!

Online Driver Ed..

Just $22

On the Cover:

Lucky Gerald Blair of Geneva, NY collected his 2014

Skidoo MXZ at the NYSSA Board Meeting on May 31

in Cicero. At left is NYSSA President JimElmore, and

at right is Director Tim Taylor representing the

Onondaga County Snowmobile Assn.






http://www.nysparks.com/recreation/snowmobiles

https://transact.dmv.ny.gov/registrationrenew/?stype=s

http://www.dmv.ny.gov/OOSNO/default.html

https://membership.nysnowmobiler.com/


http://www.nysparks.com/recreation/snowmobiles

https://nysnowmobiler.com/pdf/NYSSA-NY-Snowmobiler-Online-Magazine-Rates-2014-15.pdf

https://www.bigappletrafficschool.com/Student/Registration/CreateAccount.aspx

https://www.bigappletrafficschool.com/Student/Registration/CreateAccount.aspx



President’s Message by Jim Elmore, NYSSA President 585-813-4610 [email protected]

Many snowmobilers and their families are waiting for school to end and then many

are going away for summer vacations. As we all very well know, summer is a few months long and gives enough time to think about hitting the trails again this winter. On May 31, NYSSA started another season of planning for the 2014-2015 snowmobile season. Several new Directors have joined our Board -- see the complete list on pages 7 and 8 -- and we welcome these new Directors and wish them the best for their first season. Most of our commit-tees have been tasked with new goals this season and many of the committees are made of different Directors from years past. I have talked to our new chairs and they are already setting some impressive goals to accomplish this season to help benefit the clubs and riders across the State.

2014 Super Raffle Sled Winners!

We had one small piece of business to finish from last sea-son at the Director meeting. I, as President, have the honor of awarding the Super Raffle winners their grand prizes. It is always a pleasure to meet the winners of our

grand prizes and handing them the keys to their new snowmobiles. Our Super Raffle is a great revenue stream for clubs to take advantage of. Clubs keep half of the profit from each ticket they sell. I have seen where sev-eral clubs across the State use our Super Raffle as their main fundraising activity. With over 50 great prizes it is not difficult to sell these tickets to the snowmobile commu-nity and the general public will also participate with many non-snowmobile prizes available. Our Super Raffle tickets will be going on sale again this October. If any club or member would like to donate a prize for the Super Raffle, please contact our General Manager Anne O’Dell or use the form on the next page. Anne works hard over the next

few months soliciting prizes and if you would like to donate please give her a call or drop her an email. All prizes must be donated by September 8, 2014 to be featured on the ticket.

ISC 2014

Our next important event coming up is the International Snowmobile Congress. The Staff and Officers are heading out to Keystone, Colorado in the next few days. The ISC is a snowmobile clearing house of information pertaining to our sport. Manufacturers, other US state associations, our friends from Canada, Norway and Russia will meet and discuss issues facing our sport across the globe. Most every area has different issues and problems with how we maintain trails and work with local governments. We try to solve some issues and help raise money for legal defense funds and help increase the revenue for some of the great charities involved with snowmobiling.

(Continued on page 6)

Cat winner Gordon Wood of Earlton, NY accepts the keys from

President Elmore at the May 31 NYSSA BOD Meeting.











NEW YORK IS HOSTING ISC 2015!

On June 10 - 13, 2015, NYSSA will be the Host for the next International Snowmobile Congress in Niagara Falls, New York. As the time nears the date of this event, I would like to ask for volunteers to help out for this event. Now is the time to start thinking if you want to assist, if you are interested please drop us an email.

Contact your Director

I would like for all club officers that are looking for information on what is happening across the State to please contact your Director. If a county has no Director, please look into finding a person to fill the position. One county has found a great solution to the problem of finding just a single person to be a director. Chautauqua County has 3 gentlemen that rotate each month attending the monthly meetings during the year. They sometimes send 2 directors and this helps get the message back to the local clubs in this county. I know time demands are difficult but their system works for them, each director attends 4 meetings per year instead of all 12. If you think this type of time management would work for your county please try to copy what Chautauqua is doing for the sport.

(Continued from page 4)

Available all year long at:

http://www.nysnowmobiler.com/memberdiscounts

Greg Huck, Winner of the 2014 Polaris Indy, collects his

prize from President Elmore, while Tim Taylor looks on.

TRAVELING THIS SUMMER? USE YOUR..

Please be safe and respect any power sport equipment you might be using over the summer months. You can also renew your club dues anytime online. Remember, the snowmobile registrations will be mailed out from the State in July. Register your machines early to help our clubs across the State. Have a great summer!




https://nysnowmobiler.com/memberdiscounts

http://link.hertz.com/link.html?id=22548&LinkType=HZLK&TargetType=Reservations

http://www.redroof.com/partners/nyssa/

http://www.funjet.com/default.aspx?plcode=nyssa&gsPromotionCode=nyssa&gsVendor=TPV

http://www.choicehotels.com/

http://www.countryinns.com/nyssa

http://www.wyndhamhotelgroup.com/?corporate_id=1000007487

http://www.budget.com/budgetWeb/html/bridge/assoc/index.html?R198157

https://www.avis.com/car-rental/profile/go.ac?B291057



District First Last Email

Albany/Greene

Allegany Edward Zalar [email protected]

Broome Mike Blance [email protected]

Cattaraugus George Couell [email protected]

Cattaraugus (Alternate) Cathy Hill [email protected]

Cayuga Randy Coleman [email protected]

Cayuga (Alternate) Mike Major [email protected]

Chautauqua Lester Lucas [email protected]

Chautauqua (Alternate 1) Jeff Contino [email protected]

Chautauqua (Alternate 2) Ray Head [email protected]

Chenango Erin N. Pittsley [email protected]

Chenango (Alternate) Dale Small [email protected]

Clinton Tom Highers [email protected]

Columbia James R. Vandenburgh [email protected]

Columbia (Alternate) William Jennings [email protected]

Cortland

Delaware David Sprague [email protected]

Erie & Past President 2003-2006 Hal Fleischman [email protected]

Erie (Alternate) Jim Teator [email protected]

Essex

Franklin David Knapp [email protected]

Franklin (Alternate)

Fulton

Genesee Jane Chaddock [email protected]

Genesee (Alternate) Gerry Ivison [email protected]

Hamilton Paul Allen [email protected]

Hamilton (Alternate) Michael Allen [email protected]

Herkimer & Past President 2000-2002 Jeffrey S. Johnson [email protected]

Jefferson Sandra Bliven [email protected]

Lewis Jason Kowalczyk

Lewis (Alternate)

Madison Tim Carr [email protected]

Madison (Alternate) Rosanne Warner [email protected]

Madison (Alternate) John McKenzie

Monroe/Livingston

Montgomery/Schenectady

Nassau/Suffolk

YOUR new BOARD

Continued. on next page

At left: NYSSA Secretary Rosanne Warner and Trail Coordinator Jim Rolf

confer at a recent Board Meeting. Photo by Jane Chaddock.

Join us!



























2014-15 Board of Directors

District First Last Email

Niagara & Past President 2010-2013 Gary Broderick [email protected]

Oneida Jaimie Warner [email protected]

Oneida (Alternate) Kate Rolf [email protected]

Onondaga Tim Taylor [email protected]

Onondaga (Alternate 1) Dick Flood [email protected]

Onondaga (Alternate 2) Gerry Gould [email protected]

Onondaga (Alternate 3) Gary Hodge [email protected]

Ontario Scott Wohlschlegel [email protected]

Orange/Sullivan

Orleans

Orleans (Alternate)

Oswego David Gross [email protected]

Oswego (Alternate) George Cummins

Otsego Jim Tiffany

Renssaelaer Raymond K. Buchholz [email protected]

Rockland

Saratoga

Schoharie

Schuyler/Tompkins

Seneca David Van Derlinde [email protected]

St. Lawrence Craig LaPlante [email protected]

St. Lawrence (Alternate)

Steuben/Yates Mark Wolfanger [email protected]

Tioga/Chemung Robert K. Jennings [email protected]

Ulster

Warren

Washington Robert Putorti Jr. [email protected]

Wayne Darlene Lombardo [email protected]

Wayne (Alternate)

Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess & Treasurer John Occhino [email protected]

Wyoming Roger McCabe [email protected]

Past President (2008-2010) (no vote) Mike Fischer [email protected]

President (no vote unless tie) Jim Elmore [email protected]

Vice President Randall Phillips [email protected]

Secretary Rosanne Warner [email protected]

Director at Large Phil LaPlante [email protected]

Director at Large Paul E. Lawton II [email protected]

Director at Large John Winterton III [email protected]

NYSSA STAFF:

Executive Director (no vote) Dominic Jacangelo [email protected]

General Manager (no vote) Anne O'Dell [email protected]

Trail Coordinator (no vote) Jim Rolf [email protected]

Office Assistant (Part Time, Seasonal) Lori Pinckney [email protected]
































From the Desk of the Executive Director By Dominic Jacangelo, Executive Director [email protected] 888-624-3849 x104

By the time you read this I should be in Keystone, Colorado attending the International Snowmobile Congress. Congress participants include the American Council of Snowmobile Associations, the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations, The International Snowmobile Manufacturers, The International Association of Snowmobile Administra-tors , Sweden, and Russia. It is basically a who’s who in the snowmobile community in North America and Europe.

To a certain degree the ISC is a smaller but longer version of the NYSSA Educational Forum and Annual Meeting. It covers three or four days of meetings and training sessions unlike the nearly two days the NYSSA Education Forum and Annual Meeting covers. What the ISC does provide is a unique world wide prospective on what issues impact the snowmobile community.

One issue which always dominates the meetings is access to National Forest land. While we fight in NY for access to State Forest there is very limited land under the USDA Forest Service in NY. In fact, the only noteworthy tract is the Finger Lakes National Forest which has 10 or so miles of snowmobile trail on it and appears very non-controversial. Unfortunately, in much of the country Forest Service lands dominate the landscape and are a critical component of the snowmobile community in those states. Many of these lands are being considered for National Monument status through a process that sidesteps Congressional input. In addition, several environmental groups seem focused on removing or limiting snowmobile access to these lands. I look forward to learning how we in NY can assist our fellow state associations to keep open access to these federal lands.

A rare opportunity!

In June of 2015, New York will play host to the ISC in Niagara Falls, NY. This is one of those rare opportunities when the ISC will be close to home. If you think you would like to attend you can go to www.ISC2015.com and register for the event. If a full conference registration is outside your budget we will be publishing a schedule of one-day registra-

tions that will be available only to NYSSA members on a space available basis.

Next Winter

As we came to the conclusion of the 2013-14 snowmobile season my thoughts immedi-ately turned to next year. This year ended with about 116,000 snowmobiles registered in NY; a number which causes me some concern. The number was insignificantly different from last year. It should have been a much larger number, closer to 130,000 as it was from 2006 through 2011 (132k average). Another number which

came to my attention is the number of young people completing the snowmobile safety course. The number of students completing the safety course is now down below half of what it was in 2006.

There are a number of things taking place contributing to this trend, not the least of which is snowfall. We have just not had a good run of years with significant snow cover throughout the season. But we can’t do anything about the snow.

I do believe that we have a significant number of snowmobilers who feel they just do not need to regis-ter their sled. They figure they will run without a registration until they get caught and then they will register when they have to go to court, betting the whole time that the court will be lenient now that they are registered. I also think


Graph Courtesy NYS OPRHP Snowmobile Unit.




http://www.ISC2015.com



that we just don’t have the amount of new blood coming into the sport that we had in the last decade. These are things we can do something about!

I am going to ask you to do two things this coming winter. The first is, find that friend you have always wanted to take for a snowmobile ride and take them for one. (Notice this is a gender neutral request.) Man or woman, young or old give them an introduction to the sport. There are a lot of people who want to go snowmo-

biling but they just don’t know how to get started or who to travel with. (PS. This is the easiest way to sell that ex-tra sled you always wondered why you kept!)

The second thing I will ask you to do is a little more difficult. This winter when

you are out on the trail take notice of the other sleds around and whether or not they are registered. When a sled is missing that validation sticker ask the operator if they noticed they were missing their sticker. Remember with the on line registration system you can instantly get a temporary registration. So even without a validation sticker, the sled could be legal. I am not asking you to be confrontational about this but somehow we need to get across to all riders, that it is just not cool to ride without a valid registration. (I’ll bet that unregistered sled also has no liability insurance on it and the rider has not joined a club!) When people ride without a registration they are stealing from those who do register.

Over the next couple of months I will be putting together a NYSSA program to “Take a Friend Snowmobiling” through-out the state. If you would like to join in this effort please let me know.

Working with our NYSSA Government Affairs Committee, we will be seeking legislation that greatly increases the fine for riding without a valid registration.

Like winter, summer is a great time to play on the water. (It is just a different form!) Be sure to stay safe and I’ll see you on the trail this winter!


Graph Courtesy NYS OPRHP Snowmobile Unit.

Even More..



http://www.allstate.com/snowmobile-insurance.aspx

http://www.cruisesonly.com/?cm_mmc=Affiliate-_-CONLY-Affinity_Marketing-_-49-_-NA

http://www.cruisesonly.com/?cm_mmc=Affiliate-_-CONLY-Affinity_Marketing-_-49-_-NA

http://agency.nationwide.com/agent/grant-l-getzoni-310028859-31002885900000







TIME TO GET YOUNGER! By Randy Phillips, NYSSA Vice President, [email protected]

In April, NYSSA hosted its annual Spring Forum in Rochester, NY. There were over 600 attendees, all dedicated snowmobilers with the common goal of improving our chosen recreation and providing future generations the same chance to enjoy the outdoors in the harsh New York winters. The Forum covered a number of topics from trail signage to public relations and offered the opportunity

to meet and greet fellow snowmobilers from across the state. Clubs from all areas of the state were there along with several grooming equipment reps, tourism reps, product reps, and even a sizable vintage sled show. It was really a perfect opportunity to learn a lot about how snowmobiling works in New York and to share ideas across different clubs to improve processes and efficiencies to make our trail system even better. Yet, as I looked around the room from the podium, one theme was very evident; we are an aging group, and we need to get younger.

While NYSSA does not keep records on the average age of Forum attendees, I will ballpark it in the mid- fifties. As I looked around the room I saw very few attendees that were in their thirties and almost none in their twenties. Yet we know that there are snowmobilers in their twenties and thirties because we see them at club meetings and on the trails. So the question is why are they not at the Forum? Taking this idea further, why are they not getting involved in club and trail management?

I don’t profess to have all of the answers to these questions, but I do have two observations that I would like to share. First off, I dismiss the notion that this is a generational issue and the younger generation doesn’t have the work ethic of prior generations. I believe that they do, but that they may be more passive than prior generations. If asked, or provided the opportunity, I believe that the younger generation will work just as hard and will come to enjoy the management side of snowmobiling as much as the current management segment does. Therefore, it’s up to the current active club members to ask them and prod them to help. They will respond to appropriate pressure versus proactively stepping forward; it’s upon us to provide that pressure. This does not mean to yell at them (or anyone else for that matter) rather ask them and make them feel that their input and help is not just valued, but expected. The goal is to pass the knowledge along and blend it with knowledge they might have that make the processes more efficient. We all joke that the younger generation is where we turn when we can’t get our computer to work; how can you translate that to snowmobiling? Can you computerize your membership mailing list, event coordination, trail sign-age planning? These folks have a knowledge base that many of us older crowd don’t; use that knowledge to the club’s benefit, don’t let it sit idle, that’s a waste of resources that we cannot afford.

This leads to my second observation; this is a unique transition period. Snowmobiling started in the 1950’s (yes, I know the first snowmobiles predate that) but didn’t really hit stride until the late 1960’s. Then it was almost wiped out by the energy crisis of the early 1970’s. It wasn’t until the late 1970’s that snowmobiling really started to gel and most clubs were formed. In the 1980’s snowmobiling in New York really started to become organized statewide and the trail sys-tem started to take shape. That’s only about 35 years, give-or-take, that snowmobiling has been organized in New York. Most of the crowd that is currently involved in club and trail management has been around since the beginning of the clubs and trails. In that time they have amassed a wealth of knowledge because they lived through all of the evolution that has taken place. Think about the changes over the past 35 years in trail construction, trail grooming, club administration, insurance, etc. The older crowd invented snowmobiling in New York State. That is a mighty intimidating concept to face if you are coming in new to a club. Take the time to let the younger crowd, or any newbie, know that it’s ok to make mistakes and not everything is going to work, but together we will get through it, and the “system” will get better as a result. Tell them about when you nailed your glove to the bridge deck, or sent out the wrong newsletter, or the map was printed with errors. It has happened to all of us and







we need to let them next generation make their mistakes too as they find their way. We didn’t have anyone yelling at us except our peers; don’t be too hard on them, let them learn and they will move things forward beyond where we can take them.

Now that it is summer and the sleds and groomers are away until next season, it is the perfect time to work on find-ing younger members to help with club and trail functions.

Make a club goal of finding a certain number of younger members to get involved for the next season.

Hand pick the targets and approach them to get involved.

Have some ideas of where they might help but be sure to ask them what specialty knowledge they might have

and also ask them what they might like to get involved with.

Take this down time to educate them on how to do their task. Show them the signage manual and have them

put a few signs together.

Show them the membership website and how it works.

In short, show them the task, educate them on the process and be sure to ask how they might improve it. Don’t wait for the younger generation to approach the club and volunteer, go out and recruit them. They might step for-ward to volunteer, but we can’t wait for that. Younger snowmobilers please don’t take this article as a free pass to wait to be asked, step forward and volunteer, you have knowledge and capabilities that we need; we need you.

This summer is a great time to recruit the younger generation. Go through your membership lists, put emails out, put out Facebook requests, Twitter posts, etc. asking for potential recruits. Then approach these people one on one and let them know they are needed. If your club can recruit six people under the age of 40 to become active then you are on the right path.

The time is now for us to find and train our replacements. Nobody else is going to do it; it is up to us to complete this task. It’s time to get younger; let’s get to it. Good luck.


Miss riding your sled? Check out this video from St. Lawrence County.

Submitted by Ted Perkins...Snowmobiling since 1967



https://vimeo.com/90129801







Trail Coordinator Report by Jim Rolf, NYSSA Trail Coordinator 888-624-3849 x 102 [email protected]

June is usually a slow month for most clubs in regards to their trail maintenance work. Volunteers taking a much-needed break from all they do for this sport should be appreciated by everyone involved. Maybe this month will also allow for more time to read this online magazine and possi-bly go back to read some of the past articles that you might have missed. The link to all of the archived magazines, online and print is: http://www.nysnowmobiler.com/nyssa-magazines.

Land Access Issues and Notifications

Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA) is a great resource for our snowmobile group to be reminded about land access issues, either nationwide on Federal Lands or just here in NYS. Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant funding issues are always an important item that they focus on. I suggest that anyone who may be interested, go to their website at http://www.arra-access.com/site/PageServer?pagename=arra_about and either click on their “Tell-A-Friend” link to submit e-mail addresses for others to be able to sign-up or go to their Toolbox section to get set-up to receive their newsletters and alerts. It really is a great way to be informed on these land-access issues.

Trail Funding Issues

It is unfortunate to report that the snowmobile registration numbers through DMV were lower this past sea-son than the prior season. That will result in less money available to clubs through the NYS OPRHP Snowmobile Trail Fund Program for trail maintenance and groomer expenses. I am passing this on to all snowmobilers so that every-one understands that this is an issue that we all must realize before the money is spent. In order to keep the trails maintained to the level that all riders want, funding must come from somewhere. Those not registering their sleds and riding the trails illegally is a big part of the problem, as I see it. The NYSSA Trails Committee is looking into ways to help out with the trail funding problems and placing GPS units into all groomers ASAP.

Club Membership Numbers

Club membership numbers were also down slightly this past year. Some clubs actually did increase their

membership over the past year while a few were down significantly. Why that happens is a good question. Lack of snow in some areas: differences of opinion with their club’s direction/officials; riders moving to a different part of the state; or maybe purchasing a camp in another area of the State and only joining the club there. Many factors may come into play with this issue.

But one way for riders to help out clubs outside of the areas that they live and/or ride the most is for mem-bers to join an additional club (or 2 or 3 or more) as a “secondary member”. Secondary memberships only cost a current primary member an additional $20/year, for the most part, as NYSSA does not collect the $5.00 fee for those secondary memberships.

As I pointed out above, club funding being lower is an issue that all will have to deal with. And those secon-dary member funds really help out clubs that are in less-populated areas with snowmobile trails but not much volun-teer base. I highly suggest that members think about joining and supporting other clubs along with your “main club” so as to help out those clubs in need. They will really appreciate it!


TRAILS




https://nysnowmobiler.com/nyssa-magazines

http://www.arra-access.com/site/PageServer?pagename=arra_about

https://nysnowmobiler.com/nyssa-magazines



Bulk Sign Order

The annual NYSSA Bulk Sign Order program offered to Clubs has a deadline for orders of July 11th, 2014. The forms are available on the NYSSA website for those with login credentials, at http://www.nysnowmobiler.com/trail-info/annual-bulk-sign-order - or use the link above! There are 2 forms this year: one for the Allstate Emergency Locator Signs (available at no-charge again thanks to our Sponsor, ALLSTATE INSURANCE), and one for the snowmobile trail signs available this year through VOSS SIGNS, of Manlius. This new sheet includes 2 dif-ferent signs. One is made of thicker plastic (longer lasting) and has the same full reflective sheeting that we see on our roadway signs while the thinner signs are those that most clubs have purchased for years now with reflective beading. Those thicker signs stand out quite well on trails when light hits them from a long distance away.

NOTE that the drop-dead deadline is July 11th, 2014. NO EXCEPTIONS! Sales tax is due on ALL orders based on each club’s home sales tax rate unless the club is classified as Sales-Tax

Exempt by NYS and produces a signed NYS ST119.1 form sent in with their completed order. Get with your club offi-cials to make sure they take advantage of this sign program and save money on needed new signs.

Adirondack Rail Trail proposal…

Still no news has taken place on re-opening the UMP. I have met with the other ARTA Board members as to NYSSA’s continued support of removing the rails and in reference to their recent meetings with the DOT Commis-sioner, Joan McDonald and DEC Commissioner Joe Martens… which seemed to all go well in the realm that the com-missioners feel that the trail advocates are very strong politically. I have heard “rumors” that news on the UMP re-opening will be released very soon. You all will hear right after we do.

No NEW News on the PROTECT! Lawsuit…

We have not heard much recently except a brief synopsis of a discussion had with the NYS Attorney General’s Office three weeks ago from our representing attorney. As more new news comes in, everyone will be kept informed.

The Essex Chain of Lakes Land Classification

Nothing new has come about on this issue. A new UMP will need to be established and then public input hearings will be set. When these hearings and public input requests are announced, all NYSSA members will be alerted.

Trail Safety and Education

The NYSSA Safety Committee is looking to develop new safety resource guides to promote snowmobile trail

safety. I have suggested that they also look into developing an online snowmobile safety course that anyone can take in the comfort of their own home. While youth will need to still attend a safety course in order to meet the require-ments of Parks law, this online course could also be used for those judges wishing to sentence snowmobile scofflaws, in addition to monetary fines. It is a fact that more people could use better education when it comes to snowmobile trail etiquette and safety messages.

S.T.E.P. Training

Our Safe Trails Education Program (STEP) classes will again be held around the state for those looking to become more familiar with why signs are placed as they are and what rules are in place from Parks on signing snowmobile trails. I am looking to schedule classes for the early fall, and would like some suggestions as to when and where to hold them. I would suggest that county associations and/or federations could consolidate with neighboring counties



BULK SIGN ORDER FORMS



https://nysnowmobiler.com/trail-info/annual-bulk-sign-order

https://nysnowmobiler.com/pdf/2014/2014_BSO.pdf



so instructors have full classes to teach. Look for the list of classes on the NYSSA website member menu pages late this summer.

If any of the past year’s STEP class instructors plan to work with their neighboring County clubs, please let me know asap. Thank you!

RIDE RIGHT! And BETWEEN THE STAKES!!!

Join a club, wherever you ride!!!

SUPPORT YOUR SPORT!

THINK! You are an ambassador of this sport.


In Memory of NYSSA Member

and Member of the Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club,

Trooper Christopher Skinner

...and all other snowmobilers lost this season.



http://www.odmp.org/officer/22084-trooper-christopher-skinner

https://www.nilife.com/benefits/secure/sgaav/intro.php



NYSSA CHARITIES PAGE

Pink Ribbon Riders www.pinkribbonriders.com The Pink Ribbon Riders mission is to promote awareness of breast cancer in the motor sports industry for both men and women while raising funds for those in need.

Easter Seals www.easterseals.com Easter Seals has been helping individuals with disabilities and special needs, and their families, live better lives for over 85 years.

NYSSA encourages its individual members and its Clubs to support

the following charitable organizations:

The USO www.uso.org/howtohelp

The USO is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the troops by providing morale, welfare and recreation-type services to our men and women in uniform.

Safety Question:

Q: With a growing number of snowmobiles out on the trails every winter, it is important to recognize the poten-tial impact you and your snowmobile can have on which of the following?

A) The Environment

B) Other Riders

C) Dealers and Mechanics

D) Public Roads

An

swer: A

.



http://www.pinkribbonriders.com

http://www.pinkribbonriders.com/

http://www.easterseals.com

http://www.easterseals.com/

http://www.uso.org/howtohelp

http://www.uso.org/howtohelp

As the unified voice for NY Snowmobiling, NYSSA works year-round to promote

the sport and protect the trails needed for winter enjoyment. NYSSA is recognized

and accepted in Albany, across the state, and nationally as the organization that

represents the rights and needs of New York’s snowmobilers.

PO Box 1040, Pine Bush, NY 12566-1040

888-624-3849 / Fax 888-317-2441

E-mail: [email protected]

www.nysnowmobiler.com

NEW YORK STAT E

SNOWMOBI LE ASSOCIATI ON

Club Events are listed on our website:

www.nysnowmobiler.com

Safety Courses are listed at

http://www.nysparks.com/recreation/snowmobiles/safety-courses.aspx

NYSSA Calendar of Events July 12, 2014 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Carnegie Conf Ctr - upstairs at

Drivers Village, Cicero, NY

August 2, 2013 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Carnegie Conf Ctr - upstairs at Drivers Village, Cicero, NY

September 6, 2014 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Carnegie Conf Ctr - upstairs at Drivers Village, Cicero, NY

October 4, 2014 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Carnegie Conf Ctr - upstairs at Drivers Village, Cicero, NY

October 3, 4, 5 THE BIG EAST SNOWMOBILE SHOW! OnCenter, Syracuse NY

November 1 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Carnegie Conf Ctr - upstairs at Drivers Village, Cicero, NY

December 6 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Carnegie Conf Ctr - upstairs at Drivers Village, Cicero, NY

(10 days after each BOD Meeting).

June 10

July 22, 2014

August 12, 2014

September 16, 2014

October 14, 2014

November 11, 2014

December 16, 2014

Season 2014-15 NY Snowmobiler Publication Dates:

AD RATES


https://nysnowmobiler.com/events-list

http://www.nysparks.com/recreation/snowmobiles/safety-courses.aspx

http://www.facebook.com/#!/NewYorkStateSnowmobileAssociation

http://www.youtube.com/user/NYSSnowmobiler

https://nysnowmobiler.com/images/pdf/NYSSA-NY-Snowmobiler-Online-Magazine-Rates-2013-14.pdf

https://nysnowmobiler.com/pdf/NYSSA-NY-Snowmobiler-Online-Magazine-Rates-2014-15.pdf

Documents

June 2014 SNOWMOBILER Online