7566_MSA_May2021_MaineSnowmobiler

between the committee members and the clubs to note these changes that would transfer over to the map. With this com- plete and many steps to follow, the map was created and off to print. What followed was many hours spent over the next couple of months assisting the clubs with any issues, information or maybe just lending a hand navigating a project. With snow now on the way, the real fruits of our labor begins with the boots on the ground or more appropri- ately tracks on the trail work, assisting clubs with signing and inspecting ITS trails. The MSA Trails Committee is composed of roughly 40 like-minded dedicated snowmobilers who logged in nearly 300 hours on the trails alone and realized over 3,000 miles inspecting these trails. This to some may sound like “work” but to most of us here it is a passion for the sport and can be a very rewarding experience. I know I have said this many times before but I would like to thank every- one on the committee for their hard work this past season, and yes I do like all the seasons that Maine has to offer, but in a weird kind of way I can’t wait for it to start back up again! Thank you to all snowmobilers out there that make it happen and I look forward to seeing and talking to you all very soon. Mark Chinnock Eastern Region VP the entire Eastern Region weren’t ready. Trails were cleared, brushed, re-routed, signed and marked waiting for the snow. Many, many thanks to ALL EASTERN REGION CLUBS for the work you put in each and every year to get the trails ready. One of these years it will be our turn to have snow, snow and more snow throughout the entire region. We are due for it, so keep doing all the great things you do as we appreciate it. I also want to thank the five regional directors who cover this region. Paul Bolstridge from Lincoln, Gary Dowling of East Machias, John Monk of Hermon/ Newburg, Craig Lemieux of Guilford and Larry Lafland of Dedham. Paul, Gary and Larry have been in this position for many years with John and Craig being the newbies to regional director posi- tions. With the gathering restrictions in place this past year we couldn’t hold regional meetings like we have in the past, but hopefully that will change in 2021-22 and each one of these guys will be hosting a meeting in their area. Thank you to all five of you for what you bring to snowmobiling and the eastern region. The Eastern Region placed second this year in membership totals and for that I applaud ALL the clubs in this region. In my mind you are number one because you all work hard at getting members to

ital equipment grant). Let’s be realis- tic folks! This bill is not enormous, but rather just keeping pace with the industry. The IFW committee worked the bill and MSA Reps had to tone it down from the committee’s added amendments on words heard directly from active clubs. Thanks for voicing your concerns so speedy! While there were some very intense moments, right now, we are still on track. PLEASE, reach out and tell your reps or senators to support LD-280 as all of resident and most of Non-resident will go to the clubs as written. And to silence the big rumor… NONE to the general fund. While we can’t seem to get a true voting date, good chances are that it will be May 13th. LD 944 is a bill to simplify a dual registration for snowmobile/ATV with tracks. MSA was not in favor of it primarily due to the perspective of the landowner getting confused on the vehicles purpose. While we don’t want to tell anyone they can’t do this, if there is a procedure, MSA wishes to continue it the same way. LD-1033 is one MSA felt we should be “Not for Nor Against”. This one allows Sun- day hunting on privately owned land or with written permission. In speak- ing with landowners small and large, we got a smattering of all answers of

either direction. As snowmobiling is primarily a land user group, we could not willingly pin our great trail sup- porters against each other on a battle that could affect trail systems. Some landowners love it, while others not so much. Many clubs have appreci- ated the chance to do trail maintenance without orange as well, but again, we need to demonstrate that we truly are appreciative of what we have and all our landowners. LD 1370 is the exten- sion of rail trail (primarily on the Sun- rise Trail) and that at last check was still yet to be heard. Of course, we would encourage for this to happen but did show concerns of the additional workload to clubs maintaining their sections and financial adds. We’ll keep ya’all posted. What came out of this is we have some very vocal clubs and we could not be prouder of your impressive quick fancy footwork! YOU are the voice of MSA and if your club is not involved, your missing your chance. See you all June 26 at the 5thAnnual Golf Scramble where we get to smash the snot out of white balls. If we smash enough of them, the ground may be white for an early season next year! Challenge accepted… Be Well Everyone! John Monk very long, temps, rain, huge warmup in early March cut our season down. What did continue was the strength of our snowmobile clubs. Thank you to all Coastal region clubs for staying positive and staying focused.. I applaud you!! I would also like to say a very well deserved Thank you to the MSA Officers, Executive board, MSA Directors from across the state, Zoom meetings, moving forward with our goals, keeping our office running as proficient as possible with all the changes taking place. I just left the MSA Annual Banquet & Awards ceremony. Congratulations to all who received an award today. Congratulations to the newest inductees to the Hall of Fame! Listening to the stories told makes me proud to be a member of this Family. It’s never too early start your snow dance! Enjoy your summer, THINK SNOW!!! Dave

Trails Committee Chair Report

Steering Committee Chair Report

John Monk Chairman of Steering Committee monksdoomopars@hermon.net H ello Maine Snowmobilers, The season for riding may not have been what we all wished for but the work behind the scenes didn’t seem to let up any. Phew! Hopefully a break is near. Well maybe not…. The legislative session is in full swing as we speak. By now, if you have not heard of LD-280, you clearly have been hiding under your cover with your sled. This is the bill MSA has presented with strong feedback from over 50 clubs that responded asking for additional revenues via reg- istration to go DIRECTLY to the STF (snowmobile trail fund) and CEG (cap- join and to get others to return to your club year after year. Of the ten top clubs in the state, four of them were Eastern region clubs. Congratulations to Penob- scot SC, Largest Eastern region club, closely followed by Moosehead Riders, Blue Ridge Riders and Northern Timber Cruisers. These four clubs had a com- bined membership total of over 700! Way to go! There were also two other winners in the Eastern Region this year. Congrat- ulations to G&M Market of Holden for being awarded the MSA Business of the Year award. They tied with R&M Coun- try Store in Eagle Lake for this award. Also, congratulations to Jeff Bourassa from Jo- Mary Riders for winning the Photo Contest this year. As you can see even though we lacked snow in many places, the Eastern Region once again came on strong and finished just as strong. Enjoy what little time off we have before the next season starts. You all deserve it. Why not come play a little golf on the 26th of June in Palmyra and support MSA while competing for a chance at the Club Cup Championship. All the details are on the MSA website, so check it out an sign up today. Enjoy the summer everyone! See you in September! Eileen

Mark Chinnock,Trails Committee Chair 207-754-9874 435 Poland Corner Rd, Poland ME 04274 napadude66@hotmail.com S ome of the saddest words spoken by a true snowmobiler are “well another season has come and gone” but we all know that all good things must come to an end. With that being said, we also know that this also means that another season is going to be upon us before we know it. Let’s take a quick look back at last season. For the Trails Committee the real season started in August in prepara- tion for the new ITS map, with changes being inevitable within the trail system the lines of communication opened up

Coastal Region VP

David Watson, 207-205-1558 412 Roberts Ridge Rd East Waterboro ME 04030 dwatson6841@gmail.com

S leds are put away, summer toys are being cleaned and ready to go!! Boat goes in the water soon, Harley is ready to ride, Summer is fast approaching and I am ready!!! But this is about “Snowmobile Season wrap up”. So.... let’s take a look back at 2020 “The season that Was and Wasn’t “ Covid was the headline for the year, then we didn’t get snow until late. Finally Snow Gods blessed us with the white gold!! Clubs across the state jumped into action, grooming ramped up then it rained or got warm groomers went back to sleep.... Snow started again and although it was much later than normal, we finally had some riding. Our season “WAS” upon us. The problem is it “WASN’T”

Eileen Lafland, 207-843-7813 PO Box 733, Holden ME 04429 llafland@midmaine.com W hat a season it has been! COVID still dominated the state but snow- mobilers took advantage of snow when and where they could find it and put on as many miles as they could. Once again Mother Nature and Ole Man Win- ter decided to bless parts of the Eastern Region and “punish” other parts but not giving them any snow! The northern and western parts of the region had good to great riding with plenty of snow while once again Downeast and southern por- tions of the region had little to no riding. That doesn’t mean the clubs throughout

3

o b i

w m

l e r

0 2 1 l M a i n e S n o

a y 2

M