Formerly The Outspoken Sportsman
Radio Show website
Snowmobiling
M.I. Trail Reports
Michigan Trail Reports
Northwoods Camera Network
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smcwhirter@record-eagle.com
LANSING, Mich. -- Snowmobilers would have to pay higher fees next year under bills sent to Gov. Jennifer Granholm for her signature.The
state Senate approved the higher fees Thursday as a way to raise more
money to maintain and improve grooming on snowmobile trails. The state
snowmobile program faces a $1 million deficit next year.Trail
permits would rise from $25 to $35 for 2009 and 2010, then increase to
$45 for 2011 through 2015. Future increases would be tied to the
inflation rate.The three-year snowmobile registration fee would
rise from $22 to $30 and the fine for operating a snowmobile without
registration would quadruple to $200 on July 1. Some of that money
would go toward expanding and protecting snowmobile trails.Snowmobiling brings the state economy $1 billion annually.
by Howard Meyerson | The Grand Rapids Press
Michigan Trail Reports
Northwoods Camera Network
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State sees 4 snowmobile deaths in Dec.
BY Sheri McWhirter
smcwhirter@record-eagle.com
GAYLORD -- "Half of this season's snowmobile fatalities in Michigan occurred in the state's northern reaches.
Two of four fatal snowmobile wrecks to date happened in Otsego and
Emmet counties within the first month since state trails opened on Dec.
1. That's up from 2007, when three people died in snowmobile wrecks in
December that year, according to state records..." Click here to read more.
Mich. Snowmobile Fees Could Rise
POSTED: Thursday, December 18, 2008  |
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Snowmobile group's approach is admirable
by Howard Meyerson | The Grand Rapids Press
Friday December 26, 2008
"I have to hand it to the organized snowmobile community, particularly
the Michigan Snowmobile Association. They really know how to get things
done. But even more, I admire that the organization isn't afraid to
tackle tough funding issues to support the sport they love...." Click here to read more.
Is it really all that admirable? Is this instead a case of the uninformed or the misinformed?
Click here to read a response letter written by a listener.
*
Trail Sticker Increase; The vote is a yes.
Dec. 12, 2008
Here's a short summation on this subject:
"Legislative Update – Mr. Manson referenced the two
bills currently in the Senate;
#1489 is to increase registration renewal fees
to $30 and the $8 increase to be put into
Permanent Snowmobile Trail Easement
Sub-account, #1490 is for the trail permit fee
increase from $25 to $50 in
2009 and 2010, $60 in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and $75 in
2014 and each
subsequent year (with a $15 discount if purchased before November
15th). Some
of that language is being cleaned up.
MSA mailed out 90,000 fliers explaining the deficit of the
program if the increase does
not happen. 82 % of the members are for the
changes so far. 80% non-members agree
with the
changes.
The mailer sent out only indicated a proposed $10.00 dollar trail permit fee
increase, and the $8.00 registration fee increase.....It said NOTHING about
increasing it all the way to $75.00 or a $15.00 discount.....MSA has been called on
this and they don't apologize or acknowledge any wrong doing by misleading it's
membership to produce this endorsement."
Click here for the DNR Snowmobile Advisory Committee Members
*
Area snowmobile trail re-opens
Dec. 11, 2008
CADILLAC -- The White Pine Snowmobile Trail is re-opened in Wexford County.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources temporarily closed the
trail the first week of December to repair the trail bed. All repairs
are completed and the snowmobile trail in southern Wexford County is
now open for use.
Trail maps and related information can be found on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr
*Many snowmobile trails are ready to ride
"According to estimates, snowmobiling in Michigan has a $1 billion economic impact to the state...."
Click here to read more.
***
Snowmobile Archives:
MSA Talks about the trail permit increase
Click here to view the video by MSA
"The MSA Executive committee speaks about the need for a trail permit increase to $35.00
This is ONLY a $10.00 increase.
"
DRAFT MINUTES
SNOWMOBILE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
BJ’s Restaurant
Gaylord, Michigan
May 2, 2008
Click here for another video by MSA on the increase
MAS.org
Click here if you have submissions, questions or comments. Thank you.
Listen Live on the web!
Go to http://www.rrnsports.com/
and click on "Live & Local"
Sportsman-Webmaster@hotmail.com
"I have to hand it to the organized snowmobile community, particularly the Michigan Snowmobile Association. They really know how to get things done. But even more, I admire that the organization isn't afraid to tackle tough funding issues to support the sport they love...." Click here to read more.
Is it really all that admirable? Is this instead a case of the uninformed or the misinformed?
Click here to read a response letter written by a listener.
*
Trail Sticker Increase; The vote is a yes.
Dec. 12, 2008
Here's a short summation on this subject:
"Legislative Update – Mr. Manson referenced the two
bills currently in the Senate;
#1489 is to increase registration renewal fees to $30 and the $8 increase to be put into
Permanent Snowmobile Trail Easement Sub-account, #1490 is for the trail permit fee
increase from $25 to $50 in 2009 and 2010, $60 in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and $75 in
2014 and each subsequent year (with a $15 discount if purchased before November
15th). Some of that language is being cleaned up.
MSA mailed out 90,000 fliers explaining the deficit of the program if the increase does
not happen. 82 % of the members are for the changes so far. 80% non-members agree
with the changes.
#1489 is to increase registration renewal fees to $30 and the $8 increase to be put into
Permanent Snowmobile Trail Easement Sub-account, #1490 is for the trail permit fee
increase from $25 to $50 in 2009 and 2010, $60 in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and $75 in
2014 and each subsequent year (with a $15 discount if purchased before November
15th). Some of that language is being cleaned up.
MSA mailed out 90,000 fliers explaining the deficit of the program if the increase does
not happen. 82 % of the members are for the changes so far. 80% non-members agree
with the changes.
The mailer sent out only indicated a proposed $10.00 dollar trail permit fee
increase, and the $8.00 registration fee increase.....It said NOTHING about
increasing it all the way to $75.00 or a $15.00 discount.....MSA has been called on
this and they don't apologize or acknowledge any wrong doing by misleading it's
membership to produce this endorsement."
Click here for the DNR Snowmobile Advisory Committee Members
*
Area snowmobile trail re-opens
Dec. 11, 2008
CADILLAC -- The White Pine Snowmobile Trail is re-opened in Wexford County.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources temporarily closed the trail the first week of December to repair the trail bed. All repairs are completed and the snowmobile trail in southern Wexford County is now open for use.
Trail maps and related information can be found on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr
*
Many snowmobile trails are ready to ride
"According to estimates, snowmobiling in Michigan has a $1 billion economic impact to the state...."
Click here to read more.
***Snowmobile Archives:
MSA Talks about the trail permit increase
Click here to view the video by MSA
"The MSA Executive committee speaks about the need for a trail permit increase to $35.00
This is ONLY a $10.00 increase. "
DRAFT MINUTES
SNOWMOBILE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
BJ’s Restaurant
Gaylord, Michigan
May 2, 2008
Click here for another video by MSA on the increase
MAS.org
Click here if you have submissions, questions or comments. Thank you.
Listen Live on the web!
Go to http://www.rrnsports.com/
and click on "Live & Local"
Sportsman-Webmaster@hotmail.com