I talked to the City Manager (Jim Thompson) earlier today and he said he was NOT against the ATV trails, but that there have been several complaints concerning the ATV group. What I gathered from our conversation was"
a) There is a legal suite filed against the City by one of the homeowners near the ATV trails because of the noise. Some of the City Councilmen are somewhat concerned about it. Even though the suite has NOT gone to trial yet, some of the Councilmen have begun to feel that this suite may have some merrit. But, only because they have only heard from the few people who are submitting negative responses. No one has stood up in favor of the ATV trails.

b) It has been documented that someone cut the fence near the rear of the trails and not only crossed the dam of the lake, but climbed up and down it. The Fish and Wildlife Administration will immediately shut down the lake if the dam begins to show ANY signs of deterioration.

c) Some of the equestrian riders have voiced their concern that they have problems loading/unloading their horses while ATVs are coming in and out of the parking area. They have contacted the City Council and requested that the ATVs be removed from using the trails completely. This could be avoided if there were seperate loading/unloading areas for ATVs and equestrian riders.

d) Litter and the lack of "self-policing" has also been reported. Some folks are littering the trails with trash, plus making unauthrized trails. The lack of self-dicsipline of a few reflects on us all.

With that said, please remember that the City Manager is only conveying what he has been told. He is NOT against the ATVers, or their use of the trails. As a matter of fact, he has made absolutely NO RECOMMENDATION to the city council to close the trails to ATVers. It has been the city council who has determined that they should close the trails to the ATVers. The City Manager is a fair guy who wants both groups to be able to co-exist, but he is not the governing body - the city council is, and it is they who must be convinced to keep them open.

Until now, the city council has heard from the "few" people who oppose the ATV trails - they have NOT heard from the 95% (or more) of those folks who have no problem with sharing the lake. So, what happens next is really up to us. What do you plan to do to save your riding area?

 

James let me know what i can do to help our cause. As suzuki king stated prague lake has a special place in my heart as it is the first real trail that i ever rode back when i had a 400 ex. I think a petition that could be placed at all the local motorcycle shops might be a good idea and if others agree i would be willing to take them around and pick them up in a couple of weeks or so. I would need someone else to make them as i have no printer.

Secondly i think that everyone that can needs to go ride at prague these next two weekends and let them see how much money they are really making. No excuses! I think that i will be going this saturday and next saturday to show my support of one of our best riding areas in the central part of the state.

Third, brent what time is your group going to show up on saturday?

Fourth is there contact info to the prague city council via email?

andy "I like prague" b

 

Andy, I will be at Prague 9ish .


Brent

 

>>Fourth is there contact info to the prague city council via email?<<

Here is the info I found on the net for contacting the city of Prague and its Councilmen.

City Hall (City Manager's Office - Jim Thompson)
1116 Jim Thorpe Blvd
Prague, OK 74864
(405)567-2270
praguecityhall@yahoo.com

Mayor Richard Opela
Contact Opela at:
1502 Whippoorwill
Prague, OK 74864
Phone: (405)567-2506

Ward One Councilman Monty Johnson
Photo and biography not available

Ward Two Councilman Bryan M. Benson
Contact Benson at:
NBU 8014
Prague, OK 74864
Phone: (405)567-4705
Fax: (918)623-0192
E-mail: truevalueman@charter.net

Ward Three Councilman / Vice Mayor Johnny G. Hall
Contact Hall at:
NBU 2603
Prague, OK 74864
Phone: (405)567-3412

Ward Four Councilman Dennis Dukes
Contact Thompson at:
1116 N. Jim Thorpe Blvd.
Prague,OK 74864
Phone: (405)567-2270
Fax: (405)567- 4732
praguecityhall@yahoo.com

Being a former City Councilman myself, I can offer some advice.

The one thing that gets the attention of the City Council is to make their phone ring. Petitions will absolutely help, and I thinks it's a good idea to circulate a petition, but it's the actual one-on-one phone call that will get more reaction from the Council.

I would also suggest a "Rally" at Prague Lake and bring everyone you know. Invite the media (newspaper, TV and radio) and let them know that the ATV community is losing valuable riding areas. Show them that we are not the bad apples we are sometimes made out to be. You'd be surprised at what the newsmedia will be willing to cover if you just ask.

Bring everyone you can get (even if they don't ride ATVs) to the next City Council meeting. Fill City Hall with people and you will get a reaction, most likely one in our favor.

But before you do all this there is one thing that must be accomplished first. We must organize and appoint a committee from our group as spokespersons. Without leadership, and supporting those leaders, it's just a chaotic jesture. And above all, everyone must be committed to being united on this project.

One other thing I would suggest is to contact ARRA. They are a strong advocate to have on our side and saving riding areas is one of their specialties.

James

 

E-mail has been sent!!! =-)

 

Doesn't look like I'm gonna be able to ride Prague Saturday, I'll shoot for Sunday. Work is not cooperating. Going to have to back-up and do it the hard way. =-(

 

I just spoke to Dennis Dukes (listed as ward 4 councilperson). He is no longer affiliated with the City Of Prague.
As you know, I have some "roots" there & will pull what few strings I can & bend a few ears, also.

Jason "I told you there was something in the water there" Brinker

 

Anyone riding anywhere Sunday now that I am free?

Didn't think it would ever work out then it just happend. One of those days your fighting up against a brick wall, then it all starts working the way it's supposed too. Been a long weekend.

 

pictures from saturday's ride at prague are "up" on my website under the riding pics link

 

andy those dont work without registering for that snapfish crap