Belated Happy Mother’s Day
Happy Father’s Day
The PSSA Annual Membership meeting was held on Saturday, May 13, 2017.
James Wolfe, Richard Hayes and Arline LaTourette were elected to the Executive Board. The Officers are as follows: Arline LaTourette – Treasurer; Charles Walter – Secretary; James Wolfe – Vice-President; and I as President. The other elected Executive Board members are: Janie French, Don Mosier, and Richard Hayes. Also
Scott Watkins will replace Dick Roloson as the Region 11 Director. Travis Mathna and
Dave McCarty will continue as Regional Directors thru 2020 Membership Meeting. The
Region Two Director Position will be vacant for now.
The PSSA Award winners are listed elsewhere in the “Keystone Snowmobiler”. Congratulations to all.
Roger Auker gave an update of the new activities being planned for the PowerSport Show. Friday night (weather permitting) will feature the “Tough Trucks”. These are always thrilling and a fan favorite. The Tractor Pulls will return for the Saturday event. This event drew a large crowd last year. An Antique Car Show is being planned for the Sunday event. This show has something for everyone. The Show will have our vendors, used sled corral, auction, used clothing booth, ticket sales and PSSA clothing as always. Plan to be there. Help support your Association!
However, more events mean we need more volunteers. If you can help in any way contact Travis Mathna the PowerSport Chair at (1-717-677-8089).
Thank you to our speakers: Dale Vagts and Mike Grant. Dale Vagts represents V @ V Insurance. V &V Insurance covers PSSA liability insurance for clubs/trails. After the Awards Banquet Dale kept everyone awake with his sense of humor. Dale spoke about trail, club and landowner liability issues. Anyone who has questions about the topic should contact Dale directly. Every situation can be slightly different. Dale can be reached at: 563-547-2161
Mike Grant from “Snow Trails TV” updated the members concerning our Video Project. Draft videos of Somerset County, Marienville, Alleghany National Forest/Lantz Corners and Cameron County were shown. These counties are in Year One of the production. Year Two will feature the Poconos and Huntingdon County plus two other areas. A grant was applied for Erie County. We are in need of sponsors from the PA Wilds – Benezette/Clearfield/ St. Marys area. One may have the good fortune to see an Elk during a snowmobile ride in these areas! Any business, tourism bureau or person can help sponsor an area. This is a great opportunity for your trails to be given national attention thru his TV show. Contact Lori Elliott, Grant Administrator for further information. (717-236-2050 ext 127 or grants@pasnow.org )
The Member Forum included a lively discussion of the need for a Registration Fee increase and the plan to reach the goal of providing sufficient funding for all trail maintenance and grooming needs. This increase has the potential to provide more funding for all trails – state, federal, private land trails and game commission trails in Pennsylvania. Currently Michigan and New York are discussing the possibility to raise their fees which are much higher than ours.
Since the current fee of $10 has been the rate for many years most members recognize the situation as in need of a sizable increase. A straw vote was taken by those present and the results were that a $25.00 fee per year per sled was the median amount. That means just as many members voted for $25 or less fee as did those who voted for $25 or more fee. An important part to this fee increase is the idea to increase it over-time and avoid the situation we find ourselves in now.
Is the glass half-full or half empty? I think it is important to keep a perspective on this fee. What does $25 buy today? (Haircut, good dinner, case of beer, nice blouse/shirt, DVR) What did the sled cost that you are riding? Clothing? Equipment?
A suggestion was made to have a Conference Call with anyone who is interested in the increase. The Board will check on the number of persons that can be on a call and discuss how to do this in a manageable way. Information will be posted on our website and sent to the clubs in the future.
It is important to note that Nothing has been finalized and discussions will continue with DCNR.
Thank you to all who donated items for the auction. The auction helps to defray the cost of the Luncheon/Awards. Flower decorations are always appreciated.
Voucher Raffle winners are announced elsewhere in the “Keystone Snowmobiler”. Thank you to all who bought tickets.
Phase Three of the mapping program has begun. Kurt Barclay and Tom Buck from the North Central Planning Office will be contacting clubs to explain the Environmental Systems Research Institute (esri) program. Clubs will be able to show their trails on the website and share and change information as needed. They are currently meeting with clubs who were not involved in the first two phases. They have conducted a webinar with several board members and met with interested clubs in Region One. Phase Three ends in December 2017. Future plans may include other regions as results from Phase Three are analyzed.
Think Snow! (Let’s do a SNOW dance!)
Liz Krug, President
P.S. PowerSport Show – Starts Friday October 27 at 5pm and ends Sunday October 29 with drawings at 3:30 pm.
