President's Notes (May 2001)
by Scott Hatch
The Oxford American Dictionary defines apathy as the following: "lack of interest or concern."
Does anyone know the biggest problem facing our Sport in the North East? Apathy! We have a club of around 100 members and do you know how many of our members sent letters to the towns of Florida and Adams? Florida received 6 letters and Adams received 14 out of 100 members.
Did you send your letter? Anyone that has email has no excuse. Bill Barnes has sent numerous posts concerning this, do you care? The officers of your club can only do so much, but without the help of the membership we are never going to succeed.
Get active, write your letter, and let the towns know that you are an ACTIVE recreationist that wants to enjoy the wilderness of Old Florida Rd. Please write YOUR letter, below is a letter to be used as a REFERENCE. DO NOT PLAGIARIZE! The towns don't want to see copies of the same letter with different names.
| Adams Town Hall
Attn: J. Dean, M. Wilk, E. Driscoll, G. Haddad, M. Kozik 8 Park Street Adams, MA 01220 | Town of Florida
Attn: H. Embry, R. Burdick, T. Bartlett Town Offices Drury, MA 01343 |
To the Board,
My name is John G Public and I am an avid recreational 4-Wheel Drive enthusiast that until recently, used to enjoy the backcountry roads and trails in the Savoy State Forest. The Dept. of Environmental Mgmt. (DEM) has seen to it that all the roads and trails are restricted to either walking or to vehicles with a weight under 1000 pounds, except one, Old Florida Road. This excellent road begins at the sharp turn on East Hoosac Street, following the ridgeline and terminates on Central Shaft road in the town of Florida.
It has been recently brought to my attention that the DEM is actively pursuing the towns of Adams and Florida to give up their rights to this road, effectively eliminating any Chapter 90, street legal type motor vehicle recreation from existing in any of the State's forest systems. This road is the major draw to the State's four wheel drive clubs and the Jeep Jamboree, which economically, contributes significantly through the course of the year by using the region's resources such as food, fuel, and lodging.
The way I'm interpreting the laws, the Town can or already has discontinued the road, retaining the "rights of way" as a "pass at your own risk." I'm requesting the town not "abandon" the road, which will take away any chance we have to continue to recreate on it. The DEM will surely post it, gate it and lock the 4-Wheel Drive community out of the last "open" hard-core driving trail that passes through a State Forest we find quite beautiful.
In conclusion, I can attest for those of us who drive responsibly, belong to a club, and truly care about the land, that we will do whatever is asked of us to ensure the integrity of the trail. If kept open, we will ensure the path is kept clean and all abutting landowner properties will be respected.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter,
Sincerely,