Being an outsider of the Michigan political scene... I am fascinated by the polarization that appears to be prevailing there. I do understand the possibilities of opposing views... but I have to wonder about a couple of issues... I read a somewhat biased and often times colorful narrative on certain goings on, and I see a ceratin amount of sidestepping of the issue. I hate to say it, but that is what I see. I do not agree with or disagree with either side. But what I find interesting is that I would think if a false acusation were to be made that could be termed slanderous... I do not see actions to legally put an end to it.... Which really gets a person to wonder if what is being said might have some truth to it.... On the other hand, if anything underhanded were happening.. I'd expect to see legal action to investigate and charges brought if they can be substantiated... Which I also do not see.... so it is a quandry.

So is this acase of sour grapes and mudslinging? Probably to a degree... Makes for interesting discussion though. I can say that it appears that there are positive movements in MI. You have a state that at least recognises your existance, and is providing albiet in limited amounts, funding and resources to keep a program going. If you lived in a state that refuses to acknowledge that you even exist like Virginia, you would see the difference.

I know you can't please everyone... Obviously with that many miles of trails available for use in one state, something must be working. The state is funding a training program as well... which I think is a good deal too. EVEN if phase one is strictly a classroom environement... it at least can educate on the issues we all face today.. and it ensures that eveyone in the state starts out with a baseline of information. Which in many states is non existant. The BIG PLUS is that the state FUNDS it. Well ultimately, the sticker program does that... but you see the point... You are recognised.

The fact that people sit on an advisory board is great news too. As it can only mean that a certain amount of influence can be and is applied. The battle between the haves, and the have nots will always be ongoing. With limited resources, someone will always be left out in the cold, and the decision makers will always be open to criticism. Founded or not... I think much of what I see here is based on personal opinion and agendas. I hope both sides can agree to disagree on the direction to take, but together move forward.

It is a good thing to have watchdogs... it keeps us all honest.. and as someone who lives and works in the Nations Capitol, and who sees political infighting taken to an art on a daily basis... I can understand the frustration and anger that comes with years of being ignored.... It isn't a case of right or wrong.. just knowing what the rules are, and how to play the game that is the real issue here.

 

When you spend the lion's share of your time shining lights in dark corners (usually on these orv 'non-profits' ) and/or fighting for even the simplest of issues including actually <u>holding</u> public meetings that the advisory board chairman above likes to cancel for 6 months for reason of 'well, we just don't have anything to talk about' ...the 'next' ever so predictable line of defense for these 'leaders' inevitably becomes "well, you don't have any <u>solutions</u>" (again, reverse psychology from those conjuring up their solutions <u>behind</u> closed doors while making sure they are forced down our throats without question (only unaccountable 'comment') at meetings they may or may not hold.
I tell you what, Muddy...why don't you go to the people who now do all the talking for these atv groups....and ask them if mere 'peons' such as us could possibly be "allowed" into the same 'solution sessions' they have <u>with</u> OUR DNR...yet make sure you inform them that the <U>entire</U> session will be properly recorded for the public record!!!. Hmmmm?
It's pretty 'ironic' that I have witnessed Muddy's group of merry men fall all over themselves screaming about how they "just wanted to ride" and "not get political".....yet just as soon as they are taken over by the motorcyclists?...he starts wondering what a person who actually DID apply for the advisory board position(s)...would have accomplished as chairman of a political body!!!

Sorry, I have correspondence to catch up with regarding a key legislator and even (finally) 'media' interested in this story; so I will have to pick up my commentary on "Dick's" state-of-the-orv-union address another time (hey, even Dick and Muddy like to talk about how they just can't "waste their time" keeping Michigan orv enthusiasts informed up here on 'irrelevant' sites such as this....) [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] The difference being...I'll be back! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I (finally) talked with some guys in these organizations who are just as sick as I am of these people and hear talk <u>all the time</u> of bringing "legal action" against me forward. I 100% welcome any such move and am (frankly) <u>waiting</u> for such an opportunity to blow the lid right off the top of all of this.
These guys haven't seen anything like the day they try to get into my pocketbook....and I've been holding <u>back</u> a ton of backed-up/documented information (along with free legal counsel [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] ) <u>for just that opportunity</u>. <u>BRING IT ON</u>.

If these guys want to go to 'war' instead of being man enough to simply stand there and shake somebody's hand discussing "trail" issues like one...I'll give them a fight they won't soon forget.(you tend to get that way when folks try to inform you that certain individuals are "untouchable" and that Michigan residents have no control over how these people effect our resource).

 

So now im just a moderator huh? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] lol [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Or is it not fair that they made a dirt bike rider a mod here? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I have yet to meet a dirt bike rider outside the State of Michigan who acts anything like these guys. About the only time we have ever saw 'the top' of their noses... was the time they just recently got caught with their hands in the cookie jar regarding Michigan orv sticker money...yet that view was immediately 'lost' the second anybody so much as dared question them regarding same; soon afterwards! (I' have never met a more arrogant group of people in my life...and many city slicker suburbanite riders...who are proud of it!).

 

I'll not hold that against you, being that I have a history of 2 wheeled activity in my past.. and I have a Yamaha dirt bike in the shed. I'll admit though, since the leg injury, I have not fired it up... probably been 3 years now. I really want to get me a new KTM or Yamaha dual sport with electric start, but with so many toys now, my wife would disown me. Plus, I have this voice calling me to get one of the new Raptor 700's... or a new Rhino or Kubota RUV.. heck why not all of them?

But what I really need is a tractor now that I am pulling up stakes and moving family operations to GA. The three acres I bought down there needs a lot of clearing of scruff left over from a previous logging of the area.. and I am not up to doing it all by hand.

I have one advantage though... my wife is deathly afraid of snakes, and the old stumps are prime snake habitat... so I'll use that to my advantage. Given that we just killed 20 plus copperheads around our current home in VA that we had no idea they were there makes it even more to the point.

I guess I could rent one for a couple months.. but I'd rather own it. Give me a reason to build that large 50x75 ft shop out back too. Oh yeah, with a lift and a wood working shop etc.... heh heh... I know how to play the toy game... so far I may not be winning, but I sure am holding my own...

 

I have read a bit about the division between dirt bike riders and the quad riders in michigan . I have read it from both sides too. I can understand both sides and have now come to the conclusion that they are working to take each other out rather than working together.

 

Well thanks DB, I was just kidding and trying to lighten the mood in here a little. What kind of Yamaha do you have? Your wife would probubly just roll her eyes into the back of her head and then smile like mine does. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

I just rented a 1200sf shop space for my oldest son and I to play in. ive got my '70 mustang from HS there and cant wait to restore/build it. Its been parked since 8-84. And speaking of the lift, there is a guy who works on cars a few doors down and he offered to sell me one of those approx $5K free standing lifts for $900.00. Im thinking of getting it in feb.

 

That sounds like a high price for a used lift, as they are around 2K new for a 10,000 pound model... but it may be a lot beefier than I am used to seeing. I just sold a 68 mustang project car that had been in the driveway for 10 years. I bought it for one of those father son project deals, and son lost interest. I got what I paid for it, so it didn't cost me anything I figure. I am real serious about the big building though when I get to GA. I need a shop for a business I am starting up, and I will add on for "future" needs as well. I don't want to build something and then have to add on to it in a year or two. I know a 50x75 ft building sounds like a lot of space, but you quickly run out of it when you start filling it up with projects. I want it to store my truck/trailer units so I don't have to unhook all the time. IF you look at my pics on this site, you will see the trailer I am pulling around for the business. Messing with the load equalizer hitch every day would be a real chore, and the Homeowners association where we are building require a concrete slab to park it on anyway, so I might as well do it right up front. The past 15 years I have done without a garage, and have worked out of a 12x16 ft shed.. that is pretty cramped right now with all the toys. I just don't have room for anything more right now.. but I am remedying that with the new house.
My wife is happy, since she gets a garage (One stall only) and a circular drive. She is giving me free rein on the house other than that... as long as the business keeps food on the table and cloth in her project bin...

 

I saw it advertised at about 5K in a catalogue some where. its a 4 post model that lifts 6+ feet off the ground. My dad bought the mustang I have as he retired from the Baltimore Colts and then i got it in '76 when i got my drivers license. I cant imaging not having a garage as my 10X13 shed was bursting at the seams just like my garage was. Now the shed and the garage have thinned out a bit. I got the shop space on the 15th of nov. The wife even gets to park her STS in the garage. She hasnt been able to do that for over 20 years.