OK, so I'm going, Bobs going, Ty is going.....Roll call for everyone else....Who else is going to be there this afternoon?

 

Guess no one else is going haha. Anyways, I am leaving right now. I am going to run by a shop and pick up some new tires for the rear, then I am heading out to the river. Hopefully be there by 2. see you guys there.

Tyler

 

NEW DEVELOPMENT on the Sportsman Lake Trails Project 7/30/04

I met with the city Public Works Director and our Consumer Services Director Friday 7/30/04 to go over our proposal and ask for their input.

While I was there, the President of our local Equestrian Riders Club and our Mayor came in (not knowing I was there) and handed the Public Works Director a binder full of about 150 letters stating that the Equestrian Riders "now want to obtain" the proposed ATV area and use it to expand their existing horse trails. They want to take the only available land left at the lake and designate it as equestrian trials ONLY!! They already have about 950 acres of land for their trails, and now they want the land we are asking for (about 450 acres) to expand their equestrian trail system. So, now our goals have changed from "asking" for some previously unused property for ATV trails, to having to "fight the equestrian riders for it".

You see, the equestrian riders have been against this proposal all along. This wasn't mentioned before because we were trying to be respectful and not make this into an "us against them" issue. Well, now they've forced us to take off the kid gloves and get serious. We hope you'll get serious with us. Keep those letters coming!!! And ask your friends to get involved and write a letter too. We need every supporter we can get.

If you would like to CALL our Mayor and voice your concerns, here is his number (405) 382-2280. Ask for Mayor Billy Choate.

And here is the number to City Hall (405) 382-4330. Ask for Steve Saxon (City Manager).

Thank you for your support, and we thank those who have already emailed us their letter. Together, we WILL WIN on this issue.

Sincerely,
James Hale

 

Well we went ahead and had a meeting. Of course the only people there were Myself, Ty and Mike. We had a lot of fun. We rode some and BS'd some. I wish that more folks could have made it. We need to all get together sometime soon.


Bob

 

I wish I could have made it. Hopefully I'll be there next time.


Was the river up?

 

hey guys,

i put up some new pictures from honobia creek wma. these show some of the trails we ride a lot. take a look and if you want ... i can give you directions to them.

keith

 

IT'S OFFICIAL

The "New Development" has been confirmed. Here's the latest, but it ain't over yet. Be sure to read the end of this update.

It's CRUNCH TIME !!!

Yep, it’s the first CRUNCH TIME for the Sportsman Trails Project in Seminole, Oklahoma (see previous post for more info).

I’ve learned today that TOMORROW, Tuesday 8/03/04 the Seminole Lake Board will be voting on whether to approve, disapprove or table the expansion of the existing EQUESTRIAN Trail system.

I don’t have a problem with the equestrian riders expanding their trails, EXCEPT for the fact that they are wanting to expand those equestrian trails INTO THE SAME AREA that we have proposed the ATV trails. Which, if they get their way, will mean NO ATV TRAILS AT ALL!!!

I had the opportunity to view a portion of their proposal, which consisted mostly of support letters from equestrian enthusiasts, associations and organizations. Plus, they have some petition letters that, we have found, some have been “altered”. And yes, we’ll be showing how these documents were FORGED at tomorrow’s meeting. But, that doesn’t mean that a few forgeries will keep the Lake Board from approving their trails.
Nope, the only thing that will keep the Lake Board from approving the equestrian trails is if we can show there are MORE supporters of the ATV trails. Then, and only then, will we be able to get the expansion of the equestrian trails tabled so that the ATVers have the same opportunity to present their proposal as well.

IF WE FAIL TO SHOW SUPERIOR SUPPORT, WE CAN FORGET ABOUT ATV TRAILS IN SEMINOLE FOREVER!!

I’ve asked you guys to email me your support letters, and many of you have sent them, BUT IT AIN’T ENOUGH!! We need more letters.

The Lake Board meeting will be held on Tuesday 8/03/04 at 4:00 pm. I’ll be there, fighting for the ATV trails, but I need YOUR ammunition to fight with.

“ If you haven’t already emailed me your support letter, do it NOW please.” We have no more time to waste. Here’s how:

Email me your support letter to harmony@okplus.com
Address it to:
Mayor Billy Choate
401 N. Main
Seminole, Ok.

Once I receive your email, I’ll print it out and present it to the Lake Board Tuesday.

If you would rather voice your concern over the phone, you can call the Mayor at (405) 382-2280
Or call City Hall at (405) 382-4330 and ask to speak to the City Manager, Steve Saxon.

Or,
You can do both.

Whatever you do, DO SOMETHING to support your right to ride. If you don’t, it may be your trail that comes under fire next time.

To those who are getting petitions signed, please fax them back to my office no later than 3:00 pm CST at (405) 382-3202.

If some of you would like a copy of the petition, email me and I’ll get you one immediately – I’ll be on the Internet most of the night tonight working on this project. If I don’t get it to you tonight, I’ll get it to you the first thing in the morning.

This is important, guys and it affects us all either directly or indirectly, so please take the time to get your support letter/email to me ASAP.

It’s up to you now,
James



OK, so now you know the latest info, but like I said, it ain't over yet.
The Lake Board has 3 options;
1) Approve the proposal
2) Unapprove the proposal
3) "Table" the discussion for further research and vote on it at a later time.

I'm shooting for #3.
I'll be in the meeting tomorrow and will be lobbying that the Lake Board "table" this vote for one month until the ATVers have the "fair" opportunity to submit their proposal. I believe I can get this vote postponed, but we are now under a major "Crunch Timeframe".

We have to get organized within the next 30 days. ALL petitions must be filled out and submitted by the first Monday of September and every support letter must be emailed by the same date (sooner would be better since I'll be busier the closer this date gets).

The next Lake Board meeting will be held on the first Tuesday of September and it would be GREAT if the COACATV Club could send a representative or two to attend that meeting. Heck, I know it's short notice, but it would be even GREATER if someone could attend tomorrow's meeting, but I know this is probably too much to ask.

Anyway, IF the Lake Board approves the equestrian's proposal doesn't mean that it's over - it still has to have the approval of the City Council, which I am a member of. I have at least 2 other supporters on the City Council and I firmly believe that we can get this tabled until next month's council meeting (if necessary).

OK guys, it's time for "no holds barred". I would have liked to take a little more time on this project to get more organized, but we have been forced into a dogfight. Let's get it done.

James

 

Looks like alot has happened since ive been gone.

James, I cant make this months meeting , but i will be there for the September meeting. I just started !st shift here at work, only to find out that my boss just fired the 3rd shift guy, so guess what, I am now on third shift until further notice. So all my posts will be late at night for a while.

Bob how was the meeting. Sounds as if we need another very soon. What do you guys think ?


Brent

 

Well, I'm the guy on the lowest part of the totum pole here, which means that my opinions don't really carry much consideration.

However, (and this is just a suggestion) if you want a higher attendance at your club meetings, they should be held somewhere that is "easily" accessible to other members and potential members.

I would "suggest" that your club meetings be held somewhere in town where folks could eat and drink during the meeting. Members and potential members are more apt to attend a meeting that is "easily accessible".

Course, this is just my "opinion" , so if what you're doing is working for you, keep it up and don't bother listening to me.

James

 

James,

We used to have the meeting at the Broken Spoke cafe, but when it warmed up a bit , we started having the meetings at the river so we could ride. When it gets cold again we will move back to the Spoke.



Brent