*ROUGH DRAFT* NAMRC Meeting
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 11:15 amThe day started with a short meet and greet at 8am. There were people in attendance from CORVA (CA Off Road Vehicle Association), CA Association of 4WD Clubs, Pacific Northwest Association of 4wd Clubs, ORBA (off road business association), John Stewart from United, Del Allbright represent Blue Ribbon and friends of the Rubicon, Jack Welch President of Blue Ribbon, Bob Crandall who runs an on-line 4wheeling radio show, Dave Brill from EC4WDA,the Nevada 4wd Association and representatives from SEMA.
This was essentailly a round table discussion of issues facing our sport, what the attending organizations have been doing over the past year, and how other parts of the country are dealing with their issues and closures. SEMA was one of the first to speak assuring us that the 4wd market is not only doing well but booming. They are committed to assisting the preservation and continued growth in our sport. As such SEMA covered the expense of the conferance room where our meeting was held.
It was great to hear that the members of these organizations are aware of the issues we face in the North East. Although they have access issues on a major grander scale than us, they also LOOSE access on a huge scale. At one point there was mention of closing 2 MILLION acres of land for motorized access which is about 3 times the size of Rhode Island.
There was a common theme throughout the meeting and that was the lack of new leaders. This seems to be a problem throughout our sport and no organization present was not feeling the lack of new and able leaders willing to take charge of events and continue the fight.
John Stewart gave a slide show presentation concerning land access. This brief presentation was part of the United Land Use Seminar. The attending members of NAMRC were very impressed with the findings and history of the changing demographics, strain on the National Forest Service due to increased recreational use, and what the National Forest Service projects for the increasing numbers of motorized users which currently surpass 25% of the citizens of the United States.
Bob Crandall from 4 Wheeling Today ( www.4wheelingtoday.com ) was present again this year. His internet radio show airs every Tuesday on his website starting at 9pm Eastern Standard Time. He discussed the difficulty he has faced this with maintaining his show due to financial and health problems. He is however back on track and expecting to expand his show 24/7 using archived shows.
My presentation was next and I disclosed information about Old Florida RD, lands developed in NH, developments in ME, our current situation in MA, and spoke about RIOHVA. I allowed Dave Brill to discuss COALT as he has more personal knowledge of COALT than I. I reaffirmed our commitment to land access in the North East and developing further recreational opprotunites for 4wd vehicles.
LUNCH BREAK....to be continued
This was essentailly a round table discussion of issues facing our sport, what the attending organizations have been doing over the past year, and how other parts of the country are dealing with their issues and closures. SEMA was one of the first to speak assuring us that the 4wd market is not only doing well but booming. They are committed to assisting the preservation and continued growth in our sport. As such SEMA covered the expense of the conferance room where our meeting was held.
It was great to hear that the members of these organizations are aware of the issues we face in the North East. Although they have access issues on a major grander scale than us, they also LOOSE access on a huge scale. At one point there was mention of closing 2 MILLION acres of land for motorized access which is about 3 times the size of Rhode Island.
There was a common theme throughout the meeting and that was the lack of new leaders. This seems to be a problem throughout our sport and no organization present was not feeling the lack of new and able leaders willing to take charge of events and continue the fight.
John Stewart gave a slide show presentation concerning land access. This brief presentation was part of the United Land Use Seminar. The attending members of NAMRC were very impressed with the findings and history of the changing demographics, strain on the National Forest Service due to increased recreational use, and what the National Forest Service projects for the increasing numbers of motorized users which currently surpass 25% of the citizens of the United States.
Bob Crandall from 4 Wheeling Today ( www.4wheelingtoday.com ) was present again this year. His internet radio show airs every Tuesday on his website starting at 9pm Eastern Standard Time. He discussed the difficulty he has faced this with maintaining his show due to financial and health problems. He is however back on track and expecting to expand his show 24/7 using archived shows.
My presentation was next and I disclosed information about Old Florida RD, lands developed in NH, developments in ME, our current situation in MA, and spoke about RIOHVA. I allowed Dave Brill to discuss COALT as he has more personal knowledge of COALT than I. I reaffirmed our commitment to land access in the North East and developing further recreational opprotunites for 4wd vehicles.
LUNCH BREAK....to be continued