ohv meeting in ocala

[jetski dawg]

hey grizz(terry).. just wanted to say that you did a great job geting the ohv commity to hold conferance at ocala..there was alot of great info.. and i hope we can get sarasota co. to step up to the plate like miami-dade did with their fesiblity study.. thanks again.. north port off road assc..

[Prairie Master]

What info was put out???

[viper]

By the way that wasn't grizz who got the OHV committee to meet in Ocala. The committee had to met in Ocala to check out how the grant money was being used on the trails. The only thing the ONFA did was bring the food.

[lisa]

  jetski dawg, was that you I met there? I was in such a hurry and there was so much noise I didn't quite get the name.

   The little time I put into being at the meeting, I was very disgusted by what I heard. The OHV committee took credit for the Picayune opening up. I know for a fact they didn't work that hard on it. Rick Varela and others down there were the ones who opened that up. Had I been able to stay for public comments, I would have told them that.

    Also, this is supposed to be a state committee, but USFS has a lot of influence on the committee. Much more than they should. Is this some of what ya'll mean when you say we should "work with" them? Set up state committees and allow them influence on such committees? They just take what they want and leave the state to clean up their mess....again, disgusting.

    I found out that ONFA didn't have anything to do with keeping Rodman pit open a little longer. ONF is just turning their heads on it till the dam gets drained, or something. Sorry Terry, but I talked with Brett Bush on that score.

   I didn't have much of an opinion of the committee.

  Oh, I did find out that the "official" comment period of the fee system for the USFS is over. They will still take comments (so they said) so if you want to comment on it, please put it in writing and keep a copy for yourself. Also, I asked since they were taking fees, if they would allow us any mud holes or challenging trails or "play areas". No mud or "play areas" but the 4x4s are trying to set up some challenging trails with logs/trees across them for climbing and stuff. Ya'll need to get in on this now.

   I made the comment to Jim Schmidt, that they are willing to take our money, but not set something up for us, and walked away. He got my point. Ya'll need to start working on not only Rick Lint, but the big boys in Washington, D.C. to get yourselves or something.

   That was my take on what little of the meeting I observed. Not a positive thing in my opinion.

[lisa]

  Oh yeah!!! I forgot! John Waldron, I believe he is the chair, actually had the nerve to say the Nature Conservancy is working with the OHV committee on trails; like we would be stupid enough to think that is a good thing!!

  Talk about letting the weasel in the hen house! (I had said fox, but I won't insult Mr. Fox that way.) These guys are standing back and holding the door open for Mr. Weasel!

[Prairie Master]

Thank you Lisa for sharing the info 

[jetski dawg]

By the way that wasn't grizz who got the OHV committee to meet in Ocala. The committee had to met in Ocala to check out how the grant money was being used on the trails. The only thing the ONFA did was bring the food.

i stand corrected..btw..the food was great terry,thank you..this being my first meeting and all, i was impressed with the fact that allot of different agencies and interest was gathered in one area..sure,there is gonna be conflict but at least there is hope.. i took the time off work to go to this and was glad i did..i got to see first hand the U of Florida study on how much croom rakes in for the local economy in the 4 counties thats around it(21 million and 318 jobs last year) not including what they take at the gate .. and all the hard work that is starting to pay off for the riders in Miami..Lisa and Joan(stewards) it was nice to meet you both..

[lisa]

   U of F? I would watch very closely what they say. Dr. Reed Noss is a professor over there. Has been for many years. He is the one who hates motorized, nay any public recreation on public lands and is the founder of the Wildlands Project!     

[lisa]

  Thanks for reminding me too, I met terry and joan there too. Nice to finally meet you terry. Don't know much about stewards yet, been to busy to check them out.

[1FasterBlaster]

   Sounds almost like the same crap over and over.But I have heard from a good source that some good is coming from our protest in Naples.
   To all those getting involved,"Keep up the efforts in this fight...you are not alone!!"

[ScooterB]

   Sounds almost like the same crap over and over.But I have heard from a good source that some good is coming from our protest in Naples.
   To all those getting involved,"Keep up the efforts in this fight...you are not alone!!"

Never quit

[lisa]

  Just a reminder, the OHV committee tried to take credit for the Picayune opening. ya'll should be upset about that!