JoMary Riders Monthly Report – March 2012

Ahh yes,here it is March and I’m writing the first letter of the season. Thanks to all of you who have contacted me to find out why there has been no correspondence. A bad excuse would be that I don’t remember to write anything until after the deadline has gone past. A good excuse would be, like the old saying says, “If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all”.

In the past I have been reluctant to follow those words (tell me that isn’t so!). But now, as the season draws to an end, I feel like I have to open my mouth again. So here goes……

First of all, I want to thank Senator Tom Martin for being the only legislator that I could find who was willing to submit legislation that would have increased funding to Maine snowmobile clubs for grooming purposes. Unfortunately the bill was thrown out before the 2nd session of the legislature even began.

It’s nice to know that the powers that be really care about our industry. Albert Einstein had a definition for insanity: “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Well folks, I’ve had it with trying to make our esteemed elected representatives understand the importance of snowmobiling to the economy of northern and western Maine. They seem incapable of any form of “vision” or of understanding the potential that exists within the miles of trails that cover our State.

“Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts”, (another quote by AE).

If our legislators and Department Comissioners have never experienced a wonderful snowmobile ride on an expertly groomed trail how can I expect them to understand the importance of such a thing to those who HAVE experienced it and cherish the memory of that ride???

Forgive them for they know not what they do?? I don’t think so.

There are significant problems facing a lot of the clubs in Maine, with the lack of money being the numero uno problemo. Unless someone wakes up to the fact that we can’t continue to operate under the status quo, clubs will either go out of business or will cut back on grooming to the point where riding will no longer be enjoyable because the trails will suck due to a lack of grooming.

Since 2001, fuel costs have gone up almost 200% yet resident registration fees have only gone up by 33.3% ($30 to $40). Does anyone besides me see a problem with these numbers???

Even the leadership of the MSA seems reluctant to address the funding issue. Why??? If you can answer that, let me know. Maybe I need to take a course on “political correctness”?

Anyway, I want to thank Dave Silvia and Phil Grass for all of the work that they have done on the trails, the signs and our groomers this year. Without them the Jo Mary Riders would be dead in the water. Would also like to thank John Rust for all of the time that he has spent revamping our www.jomaryriders.com website. And thanks to Terry Stanwicks for all of the work that he put into the previous website.

Until next time (“if there is a next time”) ride safe and ride right.

Rick LeVasseur, President

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