Formerly The Outspoken Sportsman
Radio Show website
Dear Mr. Meyerson, (12-29-08)
I think MSA's approach will hurt snowmobiling in Michigan and here's
why:
They have their own agenda. This agenda is to develop snowmobile
trails throughout the state of Michigan with a goal of being the premier
snowmobile destination in the country.
But at what cost?
They have successfully lobbied in the past to require ALL snowmobiles
operated ANYWHERE in Michigan, NOT just the groomed trails, but anywhere, to
have a snowmobile trail permit, in effect to support their program. You
must know also that the snowmobile registration fees already earmark a
contribution to trail development, however this is not to the satisfaction of
the MSA. THEY want more. The exception to the trail permit is for
ice fishermen/women engaged in ice fishing and utilizing a snowmobile, which
still must be registered. Sanctioned racing events
and educational programs are also excluded from both the registration
fee and the trail permit fees.
It is not fair to require those who ride a snowmobile in Michigan to
support the groomed trails program if they do not utilize those trails wouldnt
you agree? Consider the farmer and his family that reside in an area with
no groomed trails. Should he have to pay for a trail permit just to
operate his snowmobile on his farmlands? Should he have to pay for a trail
permit to operate on his neighbors lands? Mansons advice that multiple
snowmobile owners that cannot afford these trail permits should sell one or two
is arrogant considering the above example. The funding does not go to the
state or the economy, it goes to the grooming program. It goes to Mansons
project.
MSA sent out a letter explaining they proposed a 10.00 trail permit fee
increase and asked the recipients if they would be in favor of a 10.00 increase
for the trails and an 8.00 increase for registrations. Seems pretty
harmless. Most responded favorably as your article mentions. Most
did not realize the real proposal which was far greater than the 10.00 increase
that was mentioned in the letter. Only after being called on this did they
admit the deception, and they deny any wrongdoing, placing blame on the
legislative process. Did you write your article with this knowledge?
The MSA claims the trail funding has hit a wall. This is due to a
broken system that the powers that be are attempting to solve by throwing more
money at it. While the MSA cites that it once was able to purchase 16
groomers, but due to the bountiful snow last year, 07/08, more money was needed
to groom, and less is available to purchase groomers so they now can only afford
8 groomers.
I would like to point out a couple of things here. First, when they
purchased 16 groomers, two things were key. Approximately 385,000 trail
permits had been sold a few years running. Those totals were at the
top of a steady buildup over the last 10 years, and again more dismal
winters being the majority. Last season only 195,000 permits were
sold. During those big permit sale years we had dismal snow conditions
here in Michigan. Most groomers didnt get on the snow until mid January or
even February. A reduction in grooming miles coupled with record permit
sales, so yes, they spent the money boosting the fleet. The result is the
mindset that we must now purchase a new 150,000 tractor every 3 years the claim
being they can be traded in at a better value. I will add, last year
snwomobile traffic was 1/3rd just in permit sales, and I saw considerably less
snowmobiles last year. The primary reason I am sure was 3.85+ per
gallon gas in the U.P. last february. Less traffic = less grooming
necessary, yet they groomed 3 or 4 times a week. Gotta make the mileage
for the money. Waste! Manson has threated that if they dont get the
additional trail permit funding, grooming will suffer and they will have to
scale back to only 2 or 3 times a week. That's pretty much all it has ever
been. Cadillac area is the only exception I am aware of. They
are the rare exception to my experiences.
Have you ever spent time on a tractor Mr. Meyerson? Many small farms
utilize tractors and equipment in excess of 10 years old, I would guess closer
to more than 20 years old, and they run that equipment in dirt and mud vs.
snow. I dispute the claim our equipment is wearing out simply by dragging
snow around. In fact I have recently discovered where equipment is being
utilized during the summer months, and I believe they are claiming to do trail
maintenance as a cover for it's useage. The groomers are only
permitted to groom the trails during the period of December 1 through March 31
and must apply for additional funding and approval to go beyond March 31, from
the DNR, who will determine if snow conditions permit. NO AUTHORIZATION to
do anything to state land during the summer that I am aware of. Further,
it's stated that 50% of the trail system is on private property which is only
leased during the same period. This pretty much puts the skids on the
claim they are doing summer trail maintenance, yet I am aware of one group that
has publicly stated they needed to convert their tractor back to a groomer
capable machine after moving stone at another location.
For those who dont utilize the groomed trail system, farmers, trappers,
property owners with state lands and no groomed trails, rather unplowed two
tracks adjacent to their property, this IS a tax. The concept of pay to
play is fine on MSA's playground, but MSA has managed to require contribution
when their playground is not being utilized. Taxation without
representation?
I have read somewhere about a study of the snowmobiler in Michigan.
The core group being the autoworkers. They are the majority in this sport
and the group that has in Manson's terms, "Expendable Income". Well
dont look now, but the core group is facing the worst economic crisis it has
ever seen. Wonder what this will do to permit sales this year? Are
they going to ask for additional increases in the coming years as permit sales
drop?
The MSA last I knew has a membership of around 20,000, not even close
to a majority of snowmobilers in Michigan based upon far greater
registration numbers, and I surmise after this last stunt they pulled the
membership will drop accordingly. They have a lot of lifetime memberships
so I am not certain of the impact, but have heard many dissenting views towards
MSA primarily because people believe they have been lied to, and rightfully so
in my opinion.
As Manson was so eloquently quoted in your article:
"If you want to play, you got to pay. There is no free
ride."
Well, look at the officers of the MSA. The president for
example. He owns a motel at a virtual snowmobile trail hub. Region 1
director is from Munising. Last year a bridge was built to facilitate a
snowmobile trail in that area. The cost was near 350,000.00. That
club was budgeted 425,000.00 last season and they have 81 miles of snowmobile
trail. That's a lot of coin for a 120 day a year useage with IDEAL
conditions. What did Munising contribute?
Looks more like nobody does anything for nothing!
Back in the beginning, the idea spread quickly throughout the snowbelts to
develop snowmobile trails that brought snowmobilers to the small northern
communities. Sledders could fuel up, get something to eat, stay overnight
at the motels, and it boosted the local economy. Those communities got
involved, worked hard, volunteered, raised money to purchase grooming equipment
to supplement the DNR grooming program. They had to work toward paying off
their equipment. Present day, the equipment ownership is now 100% funded
by snowmobilers, administered by the DNR. The grant sponsors instead of
contributing to make their areas more attractive, have now stepped back.
Today they demand more money to groom trails. The mindset is not unlike a
welfare recipient in my view. Instead of being grateful, they demand
more.
It has now gone full circle. Snowmobilers pay the freight for the
entire program, and get gouged with higher seasonal room rates, gas prices, and
weekend menu's since the locals stay out on the weekends. And MSA carries
the fight to increase the expense not only on the trail users, but those who
dont utilize the trails.
The groups approach is NOT admirable in my book. In the end, the
sport of snowmobiling is going to fall on it's face and this permit fee increase
and policy will be one of the contributors.
George Graves
Madison Heights
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