rblank wrote:Scott Hatch wrote:Actually what I was proposing was a coalition of of all interested parties, it has worked with great success here in out west. Friends of the Rubicon is one example of a coalition created from all interested parties.
Friends of Coy Hill
I would like to appoint Joe O as the leader of this group as he has already had the most interaction with all intrerested parties, he is local to the issue, and obviously this is an issue he cares about.
Scott, I understand what your saying about this, and it would address this one issue (Coy Hill) at this moment.
What I'm suggesting is that we need to think beyond this one issue and get going on the BIG PICTURE. I think starting another coalition would do nothing more than spread the already overactive volunteers even more.
I've said it when I first started here, and Paul brought it up again recently. We need to be PROACTIVE, not REACTIVE.
We have been PROACTIVE with Coy Hill, its been a lot of apathetic users which include members of the NEA, EC4WDA, and unaffiliated wheelers that have contributed to the downfall of Coy Hill. Sometimes it takes a crisis to break people out of their apathy and get involved. I know Paul, Joe, and others have frequesntly tried advising people to disperse their recreation and stop wheeling the same 3 places week in and week out. Did anyone listen? The answer is obvious!
I also think that this is something that Joe can lead and coordinate without being spread thing as long as it is kept to this one item.
We have lots of volunteers willing to help, its the leaders willing to coordinate the logistics and meet with important parties that is lacking BUT we have a leader NOW. A coalition IS what we need because it will give the people interested in helping on this ONE issue an arena and avenue. There are many unaffiliated wheelers and local concerned recreationist that will help and support this initiative without draining the resources from the NEA or EC4WDA.
As far as the BIG PICTURE what more can we do? We are opening new lands, speaking with state agencies, and researching new unmaintained trail networks. We are having a training session for trail patrols. We are creating a land user/land access seminar. The United Convention is being held in NH to gain further interest in the issues of our sport in the NE. Mark Dupont and I ahve meet with the officers of Blue Ribbon for advice and direction on several of our initiatives.
The biggest thing lacking is LEADERS that will get off their apathetic asses and FIGHT for their sport