FAR, Inc. NewsLetter

New Officers and Directors :
We are pleased to announce FAR's new officers: President-Ron Phelix; Vice-President-Don Vorrath; Secretary-Denise Yando; Treasurer- Larry Fleury. Our Directors: Verna Alien, Malone; John Carr, Malone; Richard Earle, Owls Head; Bob Fish, Cadyville; Larry Fleury, Constable; Gerry Leroux, Fort Covington; Dave Rhodes, St. Regis Falls; Dave Tavernia, Malone; Don Vorrath, Onchiota; Jody Warriner, Chateaugay. Call these people with your concerns. FAR is your political voice!

A Note from Our New President:
It is with great pleasure that I accept the Presidency of FAR. Following Richard Earle leaves me with large shoes to fill, but with your help we will make it. I do not take responsibility lightly; even though I am chairman in two other organizations, when I make a commitment I give it my best. I may be over-committed from time to time, but with God's help we will manage to find places and ways to ride. I look forward to working with you and for you in the days ahead. Ron Phelix, President, FAR

Membership:
Well over 500 individuals have joined FAR since we were formed in July 2002. Nine ATV clubs and other sports organizations are currently members, as well as 28 businesses, representing altogether over 3000 ATV owners and supporters! Our newest business members include the Town Line Tavern in Constable, Leo's Tavern in Burke, and the Halfway House on the Chateaugay-Brainardsville Road, three more businesses that realize the importance of mutual support between the ATV community and the businesses that profit from ATV sales and tourism. Please continue to patronize them!

Legislative News:
*Governor Pataki's 2004 Budget Proposal, with its huge increase in registration fees, is dead. However, we understand that Assembly Bill A.8920 and Senate Bill S.4871 remain possibilities. We have sent letters to our elected officials asking their continued support.
* Attendance at our June 15 Albany Rally was disappointing, especially considering that FAR and two member clubs — the ATV Ruffriders and the Tri Town TrailRiders— stood the cost of the bus. Senator Little, Assemblyman Sayward, Assemblyman Aubertine and others took the time to show up and publicly voice their support. We appreciate it.
*For those of you who missed Assemblyman Chris Ortloffs annual survey results, he asked how many of his constituents favored banning ATV's from the forest preserve. Only 23 percent were in favor; 67 percent opposed; 10 percent needed more information. These results are encouraging, but we need to educate that 10 percent!
*All indications are that the 250,000 plus acres of International Paper Company land on which New York recently acquired developmental rights (with recreational rights on 88,000 acres) will be closed to ATVs. Strange that the state pays lots of our dollars for the rights but allows the owner to decide who can use it. Wonder what would happen if IP banned hikers?

ATV Events at the County Fairs:
Lots of interest in ATVs, as shown by hugely attended ATV events at county fairs this summer. The ATV pulls featured at Clinton County Fair on July 21 arranged by our member club the Outback Riders was a big success. Another huge crowd attended the ATV Special Events drag races at the Franklin County Fair on August 11. FAR set up a membership table and helped police the tracks, pit areas, etc.

Next Meeting Scheduled:
7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 6 at the Trailside in Mountain View. Our meetings are open to all!

Fund Raisers 2004 and 2005:
Our annual spaghetti dinner and fundraiser in Constable, staged jointly with the Constable Rec Park Committee, was successful in raising funds for both organizations and signing up new members for FAR. Present plans involve a tentative move to another venue in May 2005, and the addition of ATV races and/or pulls. Stay tuned for more details on activities, menu, music and more.

Work Bees and Trail Repair:
After two years of trying, our member club the Tri Town Trailriders was successful in getting permission from the DEC to repair the Burns Trail in the Brasher State Forest. Work bees on July 19 and August 21 were well attended and achieved some real results. FAR assisted with both money and manpower. We also cooperated with the Friendly Snowmobile Club and the Franklin Snowmobilers to buy materials and help repair the Malone-Constable trail. What a shame we don't have an ATV Trail Fund that would save us from using only our own materials, equipment and money to get these projects done!

News from Our Member Clubs:
The Parishville Area ATV Club continues to be one of our most active members, holding a car wash raffle, several rides, cookouts and overnight trips, and fundraisers for charitable causes. Call Tim Taillon at 315-265-1659 for information.
The ATV Ruff riders annual picnic was held at the Red Tavern on August 21. Their Scenic Fall Ride is scheduled for September 28th. Call Butch White at 518-856-9339.
The Outback Riders sponsor more rides than all the rest of us put together. In addition to the ATV pull at the Clinton County Fair, they have ridden in any number of parades, including Peru, Lyon Mountain and Dannemora. Another ATV pull is scheduled for September 18th. Call George Jones at 518-492-7790.

News Bits:
*If you bought your ATV new you are entitled to an incentive payment of up to $100 for taking the free ATV Rider Course, a half-day hands-on riding experience that most people find fun and informative. Call Richard Earle at 518-483-5962 for details.
*Larry Fleury and Richard Earle were invited by the Town Boards of both Brandon and Burke to discuss laws and other factors relative to opening their roads to ATVs. There is a lot of misinformation and exaggeration around, some of it spread by town attorneys.

Editor's Note:
Support the ATV cause by joining FAR and/or one of our member clubs. Help us keep working for a fair trail fund, access to state land, insurance coverage, and more. We are your voice and the people in Albany listen when large numbers of people speak! Email , Webpage, Phone or Fax 518-483-5962

Governor Pataki's porposed 2004 budget
contains some items that have ticked off a lot of riders. A $35 increase in annual fees, with just five or six dollars alloted to trail concerns, seems pretty unfair, especially when you consider how we've been treated for the last 18 years. The first reaction of a lot of us was to tell the Governor what he could do with his proposal. But most of us decided to step back and examie it a little closer before "going off half-cock."

Three good things: first, New York State is finally willing to admit that we exist. Money will also accually be allocated for trail develpopment and maintainance. And we get access to trails on state reforestation and easement lands. The Officers and Board of Directors agreed at our March meeting these were positive signs. Most seemed ready to accept an increase in fees if we were really going to get officail recognition, as well as significant money to develope and maintain a real trail system.

But some things have to be fixed before we can support the proposal: First, there must be money specifically dedicated to an ATV Trail Fund, not just dependent every year on the good will of the legislature. Second, there must be equitable distribution of the fee increase, simular to the snowmobile fund. And third, the increase must be contingent an guaranteed access to state owned or managed land; no access, no fee increase. if these changes were made, I think most of us could live with it.

Assemblyman Chris Ortloff and Senator Betty Little agree fully, and are working toward these ends.

Fundraiser Plans are set
The second annual fundraiser sponsored jointly by FAR, Inc. and the Constable Rec Park Committee is schedualed for Saturday, May 22. The all-day event begins with a 4X4 breakfast for $4 from 8am to noon at Bob Dupra's Family Dance Bard on the Coveytown road. Bob's popular mud run is in great shape, with a free pressure washer available on site for cleaning up after the fun. A complete spaghetti dinner will be served at the Adult Center from 2pm to 8pm, A $5 donatation requested. Next door at Tony's Bar and Resaurant live music, poker hands, 50/50, a basket of cheer, and a silent auction for a large number of neat donated prizes will round out the festivities. FAR memberships and renewals will be available all day.

ATV Races at the Fair
An outside organization is bringing ATV racing to the Franklin County Fair during its August 7-15 run! Sprint-type races will be staged in front of the grandstand on a day yet to be determined. The various events will be open to both professional racers and amateurs, as far as we know. We plan to have a membership table with educational materials set up for the public. Stay tuned for more information.

Important Business
At our April meeting, Lee Ann Harris, Director of Clubs and Lands for TrailPass, explained what TrailPass is and how it can help your club acquire trails. You can reach Lee Ann Harris at 1-800-381-2260.

Another important matter was settled when the Board of Directors voted to send $1000.00 to our state organization, the New York State Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Association (NYSORVA). NYSORVA is enlisting more active club membership, every club being asked to name two representatives to their new Board of Directors. NYSORVA is our very best hope for getting New York State to pay attention ot our rights. They are calling for generous club donations this year, with regular dues to begin in 2005. Two-thirds of FAR's Board of DIrectors support NYSORVA dues of $5 per member.

Annual Meeting Set
Our annual meeting will be at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 2 at the Sportsman's Club in St. Regis Falls. Amoung the items on the agenda is the election of six directors. Standing for re-election are John Carr, Malone; Gerry Leroux, Fort Covington; Dave Rhodes, St. Regis Falls; Don Vorrath, Onchiota; and Larry Westcott, Duane. Nominations will be accepted from the floor. Come and get involved!

Spring Fling @ Trailside
The first major event of the season was sponsored again this year by the Trailside Bar and Restaurant on Saturday, March 27th. Over 300 riders from all over the North Country celebrated the beginning of spring with a poker run with as many as ten stops from Mountain View to Santa Clara. Over 150 people signed letters to both Chris Ortloff and Betty Little asking for their continued support in making the proposed 2004 budget more acceptable to the ATV community. Trailside owner Ron Monette donated $125 to FAR for use in our continuing compaign for fair trail legislation, state land access, open roads and club insurance. Treasurer Jean Ashlaw signed up about 50 new members or renews. Over 545 members have joined us since we started in July 2002. Eight sports organizations and 25 businesses are also members who support FAR's goals: Creating and preserving riding privileges, and improving rider safety and responsiblility. If you haven't renewed your membership, or you aren't yet a member, we need you!

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) wants our suggestions regarding Unit Management Plans (UMPs). If we want any access to state land we MUST attend these meetings.

For our Clinton County colleagues, members of the Outback Riders ATV Club, the Adirondack Federation of Sports and Recreation Clubs, and others, a UMP meeting on the Chazy Highlands Complex will be at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, March 4th at the QWL building, Rt 374, Dannemora.

For our Franklin and St. Lawerence County members, the Ruffriders and others, UMP meetings on the Debar Mountain Wild Forest, including the Champion lands, will be at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, March 5th, at the Paul Smith’s College Freer Science Building and 6:30PM on Tuesday, March 11th, at the St. Regis Falls Central School.

March 4 -Meacham Lake Inn, Rt 30 and 458, Paul Smith’s.
April 1 - Deer Valley Trails, Dexter Road, Santa Clara.
June 3 - Wagon Wheel Goodman Road, Malone.
July 1 - Tamarack, RT 30, Duane.
August 5 - Trailside, CR 27, Mountain View.
September 2 - Santa Clara Lodge, RT 458, Santa Clara.
October 7 - Red Tavern, CR 14, Duane.
November 4 - Family Dance Barn, Coveytown Road, Constable.

Our First annual meeting was held on December 1 at the Sportsman’s Club in St. Regis Falls. Members braved the cold and snowy weather to travel from all over the North Country. Elected to the Board of Directors were Verna Allen- Malone, Robert Fish- Cadyville, Larry Fleury- Constable, George Jones- Ellenburg Depot, and Ron Phelix- North Bangor. They join Brenda Conners- Owls Head, Gerry Leroux- Fort Covington, David Rhodes- St. Regis Falls, Don Vorrath- Onchiota and Larry Westcott- Duane.

Winners of prizes donated by Roberts Sports of Malone: Water Paige- Churubusco, 2000lb Warn Winch. Audrey Roach- Chateaugay, loading ramps. Holly Fraser- St. Regis Falls, “his and hers” helmets. Many thanks to Debbie and Jeff at the Sportsman’s Club for Hosting our meeting. We’ll be seeing them again on Sunday, May 4th at 1:00pm for our 2003 Annual Meeting. Write the new time on your calendar.

Board of Directors have arranged for the Free Trader to display a Safety / Courtesy tip at least once a month. One example; Snowsledders spend time and money to keep their trails groomed during the winter. PLEASE resist the temptation to ride on those groomed trails. Thanks.

Saturday May 24th is the date for our big spring fundraiser - a spaghetti dinner, to be held at Tony’s Bar and Restaurant in Constable. According to Chairman of the event, Larry Fleury, all proceeds will be shared equally by FAR, Inc. and the Constable Recreation Park. The festivities will include good food, live music, and lots more, including the newly opened mud run at the Family Dance Barn on the Coveytown Road, with their pressure washer available for free cleanup. Keep the date free - May 24th stay tuned for more information later.

Clayburg / Saranac - Roberts Sports, Tedford’s Shell.
St. Regis Falls - Hill Top Stop, Sportsman’s Club.
Fort Covington - Quick Stop/Leroux Oil Co., Inc.
Constable - Family Dance Barn, Tony’s Bar and Restaurant. Saranac Lake - Crescent Bay, inc.
Malone - Wagon Wheel, Roberts Sports, Industrial Press.
Santa Clara - Santa Clara Lodge, Deer Valley Trails.
Plattsburgh - Dame Motorsports, North End Repair.
Duane - Red Tavern, Tamarack.
Bangor - Bonesteel’s Farm Mkt. & Nursery, Mullarney’s Garden Center.
Ellenburg Center - Ken Prevo’s Sales & Service.
Paul Smith’s - Meacham Lake Inn.
Mountain View - Trailside Bar, Restaurant & Cabins

Both the Ruffriders ATV Club and the Tri-Town ATV Trailriders recently replaced bridges on their trail. The Trailriders, established ten years ago, have worked with the Towns of Brasher, Lawrence and Stockholm to each purchase a section of rail bed for trails, and are working with the DEC to maintain trails in the Brasher State Forest.

Several things are happening on the state and county level that will affect us. New York State is in the process of developing a state wide ATV policy. We have given the DEC as much input as possible, although the opposition seems to have the inside track. Passage of a State ATV Trail Fund bill looks more promising this year, Thanks in part to all of you who sent in letters and postcards of support. If you have not sent in one of our pre-printed letters or postcards, please call 483-5962 and we’ll get you some. Also it has been suggested that Franklin County adopt a local ATV Trail Fund, which would be a terrific step forward in obtaining insurance coverage, as well as more trails.

An article in the current issue of the Adirondack Explorer describes a lawsuit recently filed in Warren County with far-reaching implications for towns that want to open old roads to ATV travel. The Town of Horicon is fighting New York State over the right to open eight old roads that run through state land. Other towns are also interested in opening old roads to ATVs, the idea being that local governments, not the state, should have the right to control their own roads.

A grassroots effort by the "Friends of Horicon" is urging moral and financial support by individuals, clubs, buisnesses, and local governments. Send your expressions of support to: Town of Horicon, Ralph Bently, Supervisor, P.O. Box 90, Brant Lake, NY 12815.

Since this is our first FAR, Inc. newsletter, Please contact FAR, Inc. with any questions, concerns, complaints, suggestions. Any comments will be directed back to the people working on compiling the newsletter and they can be addressed in the next newsletter.

Alex Ernst, New York State Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Association (NYSORVA) Communications Director and Len Howard, NYSORVA Secrectary attended the July meeting of the Board of Directors. They updated uson the history, function and future of NYSORVA. These two men have families and full time jobs, and their work in Albany for NYSORVA is strictly volunteer and unpaid. Many of us are convinced that if NYSORVA is to survive as a strong and influential voice we need to hire a paid executive director to lobby for NYSORVA. That means more active involvement,leadership and financial support on the part of the local clubs and county associations. Without a strong statewide organization, we are wasting our time. The people who make the decisions that affect us are located in Albany, and that's where we need to focus, because that's where the power is. Otherwise, no one is going to pay any attention to us. I believe every member of every local club should INSIST that $5 of his or her annual dues be sent to NYSORVA, beginning immediately. All strong state organizations, including the New York State Snowmobile Association (NYSSA) and the Vermont ATV Sportsman's Association (VASA), are supported in this way by their local clubs. What do you think?

NYSORVA support for the state Trail Fund legislation was withdrawn after a clause was inserted into the bill prohibiting all access to the Adirondack Forest Preserve. If it hadn't been for Alex Ernst, we wouldn't have known about this last minute sabotage by the anti-access people. Even Assemblyman Chris Ortloff was unaware of it, until Alex told him. This is one more indication of how important it is to have a presence in Albany. On another front, New York State if taking forever to develop a statewade ATV policy. Development of a trail system in the former Champion Lands is also stalled, pending completion of a DEC Unit Management plan for the Santa Clara ract. Staying true to form, the State Insurance Board has made no effort to help us obtain club insurance, despite active encouragement by NYSORVA, FAR and others, including resolutions of support passed by all four counties.

Our annual fundraiser May 24th in constable raised nearly $1300, devided equally between FAR and the Constable Rec Park. The fun began with a 4 x 4 breakfast at The Family Dance Barn on the coveytown Road, and continued throughout the day as groups of mud-covered enthusuasts churned up their new mud run into a deep and enjoyable bog. Spaghetti was served at Tony's Bar and Restaurant from 2PM, accompanied by the PBR band's live music. The day also included a silent raffle, poker hands, 50-50 drawing and a "basket of cheer." Any Ideas for next year's rundraiser?

With lots of help from Parishville Area and TriTown ATV Clubs, FAR has produced an ATV Trail Map for Franklin and St. Lawerence County, one of only two ATV maps available in New York State. Feedback has been very positive. It's free to FAR members and available to all for $5 a map. NOTE: The Goldmine trail near South Colton, and the trail that crosses the "Beeses" Road just south of Hopkinton are now closed

You may have noticed the orange vests of our FAR COURTESY PATROL out on the trails. The courtesy patrol is there to help the riders in need and also to remind us all to ride safely and responsibly. In the Absence of a trail fund, FAR has worked to repair and maintain trails, including the Eddy Road from the end of the Reynoldston Road south to the Everton Road. We owe Dave Rhodes a bif Thank You for working two days with his backhoe and front end loader. We also landscaped the area in front of the Mountain View sign, and are trying to keep the corner of CR 27 in Mountain View swept clear of sand and stones. The Lake Ozonia Road bridge and the Mountain View Bridge have both been reopened.

One of our most active member clubs, The outback Riders is the first (and as far as we know the only)ATV club in Clinton County. If you know of any others, please let us know.

We need a new Vice-President, as well as someone to serve as Secretary for our organization. We also need to fill two Dircetor positions. Can you suggest someone who might want to get more involved? call or fax 518-483-5962. Email us at: wesduane@ northnet.org

On August 16th, the Adirondack Conservation Council is sponsoring a big fundraiser in Scroon Lake to benefit the Town of Horicon in its fit to open town roads to ATVs.
Check out our "Safety Tips," which appear each month in the Free Trader, The Pennysaver and the Malone Telegram. We also distribute Courtesy Posters around the area.
Thanks to members Hugh DuBray and Phil Winters for writing much-needed letters to the editor of the Malone Telegram, and Kathy LaMay of the TriTown ATV Club wrote a terrific letter to the DEC's John Gibbs asking why they haven't maintained trails in the Brasher State forest. With Alex Ernst's help, Kathy's letter acctually got to the right people in Albany and may get them moving. We need more of you to get involved like that!

Congratulations to St. Lawerence County for forming a county ATV Association, with strong ties to both local organizations and NYSORVA.
The Ruffriders are building a float for use by memberclubs in parades and other events.

This website is averaging about 7 hits per day - over 1100 hits have been recorder since it's inception.

As of July 2003 membership in FAR approaches 500 individuals. Anyone who brings in five (5) new members gets membership FREE. We also number eleven member clubs. Look for posters around your area listing our 24 business members. Please patronize them - we need their support.

ATV registraions last year increased by a whopping 27 percent! 2002 figures for the northern counties: Franklin - 3329; Clinton - 3122; Essex - 1708; St. Lawerence - 9486 Another important statistic is the number of new ATVs sold in 2002. St. Lawerence County led the way with 1100 new machines purchased. Other totals: Franklin - 600; Clinton - 700; Essex - 300. at an average cost of $5000 per vehicle, this is a total north country economic impact of $13,500,000! Sales taxes on that total come pretty close to a million dollars. Those figures don't include accessories, clothing, gas, oil, repairs and maintaince, food, drinks or lodging purchased by touring groups of family and friends. Do you think New York State really recognizes the economic impact of the ATV community?