SUBWAY at the Northland Plaza. Different months we have members or businesses that go the extra mile to help out our club. This month I would like to take this opportunity to thank Gary Derouin II, the Owner of Subway in the Northland Plaza and on Public Square for his support. Gary also owns the “Nice Cream” Store next to Subway in the Northland Plaza in Watertown. His store is closed for the winter but he is renting out the space to groups and organizations for meetings, as well as catering in the needs of the group. For our most recent meeting Gary gave us the use of the room at no charge for our club. Hats off to Gary and the members of his staff at Subway who took care of our needs!

The Presidents Corner!

Hello members! This month I would like to tell you about the disappointing news we got this month. Despite all our efforts and support, our proposal to open a few roads in the Town of Ellisburg met with defeat by a 3 to 2 vote. This means that our rides, from our favorite base of operation in Community Park, will have to change. For our rides into the Winona forest and points North and East we will have to trailer our machines to Balch Road and park along the side of the road. This is not the end! Not by a long shot, some of the officers including yours truly are working in conjunction with other ATV clubs in Jefferson and Oswego counties. Some success can be noted as well, the Town of Orwell recently passed a law opening their roads for ATV use, and the town of Redfield has also been approached. I also hope that our members will continue to show up to meetings for groups like the Tug Hill Winona Recreation Association meetings. The last meeting was October 22nd at 7:30 P.M. If you need information on the next meeting date please call me at (315) 387-3589. That’s all from my corner, remember that our trails are now closed until April 1st. Please be careful, even when out riding on your own property, as hunting season is in full swing!

Your President, Ralph Miller AKA The Reverend

Club Rides!

Plans are already in the works for some rides for next season! Some rides we are working on are as follows, if you have any ideas or input please contact one of our ride planners!

Brasher Falls Weekend, It was such a great trip, good riding, trails, and company so we are planning to do it again in the coming year! Be prepared as we get the dates and arrangements set we will get the word out in a following issue of the news letter! 

Hatfield McCoy Trail System trip. This will be a trip to the Famous Hatfield McCoy Trail system in Southern West Virginia. We are getting the information together for a fun filled trip to this famous trail system. We have a lot of details to arrange to make a trip like this work. If you have any information or ideas feel free to help make the plans. You can check out the official website for the trail system at www.trailsheaven.com. This ride would be more than just an overnight due to the travel, maybe leave on a Wednesday and return on a Sunday.

Of course we will still have many different one-day rides to include a ride on the Rivergate trail in Clayton, a couple rides on Tug Hill, maybe a ride in the Brantingham area and I am sure we can come up with others as well! Be prepared and come to a meeting to share your input!

Events!

December 1st Watertown Christmas PARADE, Plans are in the works to be a part of the Watertown Christmas Parade. YES, Riding your ATV down State Street and around Public Square! Looks like our club will be designing two floats for the parade, and member’s help will be needed. We will also need to know how many would like to take part in the parade, So if you would like to ride your ATV, help with a float or something else please contact Mike Bellinger at (315) 785-6811. This will be a great opportunity to show off our club.

A Tractor and Loader!

The directors are on the hunt for a tractor, using the funds from the Jefferson County Recreational Grant program. We currently have a couple of prospective units we are looking into. We will be making a purchase offer on one machine that fits our needs and would be a good deal for the club! Watch for the update in our next newsletter! Next year we will have the means to do even more and better trail work. We have some signs, telephone poles for bridges, and now we will have equipment to make it all happen. Part of our clubs requirements for receiving this grant from the county, we had to fill out an application to take responsibility for some trails on county owned property. This actually helps out both the county and the club by making better trails for all the users and making sure that we have access to these trails and riding areas in the future!

Safety, Education & Conservation!

FREE MONEY???

ATV Safety Classes! 
ATV Safety Classes are now available in our area! Most people do not realize that these classes are not only available, but also free for most people. If you have purchased a new ATV in the past and NOT taken advantage of the program you are still eligible to take a Safety Class. Depending on the brand of machine you purchased, up to three people in your household are eligible to take the class for free! Many people are also eligible to get a cash rebate from the manufacturer for taking the class, Manufacturer’s cash back range from $50 to $100 depending on the brand of machine you purchased and when you made your purchase. It does not matter when you made the purchase, last week or 10 years ago; you are eligible for the cash rebate if you have never received one for that particular machine just for taking the class. It is also important to note that anyone not holding a current legal drivers license are mandated by state law to participate in a state approved ATV Safety class. The Program offered by the ATV Safety Institute and sponsored by the manufacturers is also the same program mandated by New York State. Ride smart and sign up for a class today! To sign you or family members up for an upcoming ATV Safety class call Enrollment Express at 1-800-887-2887. Make sure you have your ATV vehicle identification number ready as well. For more information on the ATV Safety program and the requirements you can also call David Beyer at (315) 782-5280. 

Fund Raising! 

The Raffle program is over for another year, tickets are now turned in and we are waiting for the drawing to be held to see who will be the lucky winner of the New Arctic Cat 375 ATV or one of the other great prizes! This Raffle was a way for our club to earn some more much needed funding so that we can continue moving forward to make a difference in trails in our region. I would like to thank all the members who took the time to sell tickets and make a difference for the club. If you have any ideas on how we might make some additional money for our club, please let me know so we can work on those ideas.

Town Board Meetings! 

We are continuing to work forward with different towns in establishing more safe and legal riding for ATV’s. More towns are considering opening roads and properties to ATVs. If you would like to see roads or trails in your region, get involved and lets take part in a town board meeting. It is you that can make the difference!

Some of the meetings that we attended this month include the Town of Rodman in Jefferson County and the Towns of Orwell and Redfield in Oswego County.  We also currently have a proposal submitted to the Town of Rutland. Lets continue with our efforts and not let the rejections stop us from moving forward in other areas!

We also attended the Town Of Ellisburg meeting, and the bad news there is that our request to open any roads was voted down despite the over whelming majority support. I guess our numbers and principals do not always win the day, and we must learn from our mistakes and move onto places where we can make a difference.
 

Membership Information!

To find out more about NYTRO or to join the club, contact any of our sponsoring dealers, or any member. You can also call me at (315) 782-5280 or e-mail me at 92vmax@imcnet.net we would like to continue to build up our membership. If you want to see things happen in your region, join the club. We cannot work forward in regions that we do not have the member support.
 

ATV Adventures!

David Beyer, a member of our club has started a guide service for ATV rides in the Tri-County region! As problems with insurance are worked out, there will also be ATV’s offered for rent as part of guide packages. As many of you know the insurance market has been trouble since the events of 9/11/01 and that also has affected small businesses and local government. This is a new business with services being offered in the Tri-County region. When the rental machines become available this will be a great way to get groups of friends, family, or co-workers out for a great fun filled day! If you are not familiar with the riding in a region the services may also be a great way to find and get familiar with the area’s that best suit your preferred type of riding! For more information you can contact ATV Adventures at (315) 782-5280

IDEAS!

There has been some talk about our members getting together to have a maintenance and repair day for our machines, Sharing knowledge and tips for upkeep and fixing of our toys. If this sounds like something you would like to take part in drop an e-mail to 92vmax@imcnet.net or call David at (315) 782-5280 and we will start working out the details for it in the future. Since the season is winding down, maybe it could be a winter activity and an excuse to get together, let me hear from those interested!

November Birthdays!

Wendy Perry, November 1st
David Manchester, November 3rd
Andrew Ehle, November 6th
Eugene Perry Sr., November 11th
Michelle Warner, November 13th
Jeremiah Clark, November 15th
Joann Clark, November 16th
Michael Bellinger, November 18th
Eugene Perry Jr., November 19th
Allen Barniak, November 19th
Sally Munson, November 25th
Michael Casler, November 30th
 

Visit these businesses that are doing something for YOU and your sport!

Waite Motor Sports Is your full service Polaris Dealership with a full line of machines for all seasons, Snowmobiles, ATV’s and your local Victory Motorcycle Dealership. They offer a full service shop, and a full line of parts and accessories for all your needs. They are a supporter of our club through membership and donations always working for the safe and responsible improvement of our sport!

Watertown Power Sports Your full service Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki Dealership. Now offers a 10% discount on all in stock parts and Accessories to members who present their valid membership cards. 

NESCO Your full service Yamaha and Arctic Cat Dealership. Offers all Members with a valid membership card a 10% discount on all in stock parts and accessories. A great benefit for our members!

Subway, Our sponsor for the month! Visit one of Gary’s stores either the location in the Northland Plaza, or his new location at 32 Public Square in the city.
 

Next Meeting! 

Our next meeting has been scheduled for 7:00 P.M. November 13th. The location for this meeting will be at the home of our beloved President Ralph Miller. If you need directions please give Ralph a call at (315) 387-3589.
 
 

Message from the DEC!

Contact: Peter Constantakes (518) 402-8000
DEC Advises Public About Rules For Operating ATV’s in Forest Preserves
Motorized Vehicle Access Is Limited; Laws Will Be Strictly Enforced
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty today reminded visitors to the Adirondack and Catskill forest preserves that all terrain vehicles (ATVs) are only allowed on designated roads specifically posted for ATV use.
"The Adirondack and Catskill forest preserves are magnificent resources that are protected by State law and, as a result, ATV use is prohibited there except in a few, very limited areas," Commissioner Crotty said. "By learning about ATV rules and regulations, riders can avoid damaging protected resources and facing legal action for violating State regulations."
Under State Vehicle and Traffic Law, if a road or trail is not posted for ATV use, individuals cannot use these recreational vehicles on them. In the Adirondack and Catskill forest preserves, ATV use is allowed on a few posted roads that are open to motor vehicle traffic, and also some limited roads posted as open for ATV use only by individuals with mobility impairments. Such individuals must have a valid DEC permit to use these roads.
Off-road use of ATVs in the forest preserves is not allowed. DEC Forest Rangers and Environmental Conservation Officers strictly enforce this regulation and have established a Marine and Off-Road Enforcement (MORE) team to specifically address illegal use of ATVs on State lands.
In conjunction with local law enforcement agencies, DEC has increased patrols at popular riding locations this spring to enforce State laws and regulations on ATV use. This strict enforcement will continue throughout the summer months.
A restriction on ATV use on forest preserve lands is essential to the protection of natural resources. Impacts of ATVs on these lands has led to the closure of some roads to all motor vehicle traffic, including Mud Creek Road and the Pins Creek/Jackworks Road in the Aldrich Pond Wild Forest in Herkimer, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. DEC will continue to monitor the condition of these roads to determine if they can be rehabilitated and maintained to support public use without threats of environmental damage. Additional roads also may be closed to motorized vehicles if concerns about potential environmental damage warrant such restrictions.
DEC is preparing a brochure to help educate people about ATV use and how they can practice safe and responsible use of these sport vehicles. The agency also is asking people to report incidents of ATVs or other vehicles being used on forest preserves, DEC-administered lands or Wildlife Management Areas, or any other offenses involving ATVs or off-road motorcycles. People who witness potential violations should contact an Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) or Forest Ranger at a regional DEC office, or alert the local police agency.

Below is a summary of New York State Motor Vehicle laws and regulations regarding ATV and off-road motorcycle use:
 

• ATVs may not be operated on public lands, including roads and highways, unless specifically designated and marked for ATV use. 
• ATVs must be registered and display the license plate on the rear of the vehicle to operate anywhere in the state, including the owner's property; 
• Owners of ATVs must have liability insurance in place, except for riding on the owner's property; 
• ATVs may not be operated on private property without permission of the property owner; 
• ATVs may not be operated on a railroad right of way; 
• ATVs may not be operated in a tree nursery or other planting; 
• ATVs must not be operated at an unreasonable or imprudent speed, or in a reckless or negligent manner; 
• ATVs may not be operated with more than the designed number of riders; 
• ATVs may not be operated while using drugs or alcohol; 
• ATVs must have proper mufflers, brakes, spark arresters, tire tread depth, and lights at night; 
• ATV riders must wear helmets; 
• ATV operators must stop when directed by a police officer; and 

That’s it for this time; Let us know what you want to do, where you want to see trails, and what we can do to help make existing trails legal or better! We are nothing without you. YOU are the Club! Until next time "Keep the Rubber Side Down!"
 

NYTRO of NNY
Member of the Jefferson County ATV Association
Member of NYSORVA
Member of the Sandy Creek Community Park
Charter Member of the AMA

October 2002