On July 22^nd through the 24^th, some of our club members spent the weekend up at the Riverside Campgrounds and enjoyed some beautiful weather and riding in the Brasher Falls State Forest. Some of our members arrived a few days earlier and some of our members even stayed later. All in all the weather was just right for some good riding and spending sometime with other members. Some of our members probably still remember the wild rain and stormy weather that we received on Friday afternoon. It was not a good time to be in a tent, but we took it all in stride, got all our gear dried out and really did enjoy the rest of the weekend. Thanks to the rain that we did get, the trails were not at all that dusty. Even helped to make some good mud holes that were not there, before we got the monsoons.

On Saturday, the 23^rd, we had our club meeting. Our President, Ed McGrew called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. We had 28 members present for this meeting. Faron Cronk read the previous newsletter minutes, from the month of June. Ralph Miller made the motion to accept the minutes as read and Chester Vrooman seconded the motion. All those present were in favor.

Treasurer’s Report:

Membership Coordinator’s Report:  77 Memberships with 169 Members

Our first order of business, this day, was to have our election of officers. President Ed McGrew informed us that he would be stepping down. Our Treasurer, Nancy Fox, also advised us that she would be stepping down. Our secretary’s position had been vacated for a while. Faron Cronk also informed us that he would be handing over all his duties to the new officers. VP Mike Bellinger made a statement in regards to how a small number of people cannot keep a club going. He stated that others would need to do more than they have been doing and step up and assist the new officers. He talked about forming committees to head up some of the other duties that are involved with keeping a club alive. VP Mike Bellinger also stated that he would be willing to take the position of Executive Director if he could count on having more support from the other members. Faron then asked the club what they wanted to. Did they want to keep the club going or disband right then and there? Much discussion was done on this matter and the majority voted that they would like to see the club continue. David Beyer then nominated Mike Bellinger for the position of Executive Director. Chester Vrooman nominated David Beyer for Assistant Director. Faron Cronk nominated Kevin Helinger for the position of Secretary. Ralph Miller nominated Stanley Miller for the position of Treasurer.  No other nominations were given and then the club members voted on each position. Each nomination was accepted and in favor of, by all members present.

Old Business:  Mike Bellinger informed us that the Jefferson County ATV Association has been re-established. He said that the association now consists of the Black River Valley Riders, Indian River ATV Club, Lodge ATV Club, Nytro of NNY and the Rivergate Wheeler’s. Mike read us a letter that was, from the County Association, addressed to Legislature Mike Behling. This was to let him know that they do support him in his efforts to get a County Trail Coordinator established. Mike also let us know that the full board of legislature did approve this position, but with a stipulation of this position would be up for review after one year. Mike said that this was a little discouraging in that it takes a lot longer than one year to get all the clubs together and contact landowners to try and formulate a trail system. Hopefully someone would give this person a little more time to see what he or she could do. Mike also told us about his meeting with Andy Nevins of the County Planning Department. There will be some projects coming through them that are going to need support from our club. One of the projects is constructing a trail system in and around the Washington Park area. They talked about opening a road in the Town of Rodman, from the Washington Park area, that would lead riders into the Barnes Corner area. Mike talked about there being four new trail systems formulated in the Worth / Lorraine area. He went out GPS’ing these areas. He informed us that the County would be looking at buying easements from landowners along the Rivergate Trail, to help assist those folks with their trail system. He also said that hopefully something could be established from Carthage to the Great Bend area. At the same time trying to construct some kind of trail system around the Fort Drum area that would get riders to Evans Mills, which would link that trail system to the Rivergate Trail system. Mike told us the County would be asking for, at least, two to three members from each club to come in and help the new County Trail Coordinator with establishing a workable trail system.

           VP Bellinger then went on to talk about the Region 6 NYSORVA Association that has been formed. This association is an extension from the state wide NYSORVA organization. Clubs will need to take their issues to their County Associations and then the County associations report back to their Region NYSORVA association, who in turn report to the state level NYSORVA organization. This will only be in regards to legislative issues that need to be addressed at the state level. He asked us about making a $50 donation to the County Association for our dues and then he advised us that $25 of that donation then would go to the Region 6 NYSORVA association for the County dues to that organization. David Beyer made the motion to have a check made out to the Jefferson County ATV Association for $50. Debbie Bellinger seconded the motion and all those present were in favor.

New Business:

          VP Bellinger informed us of a Countywide ATV ride on September 17^th. This ride will be hosted by the Rivergate Wheelers Club and will start at 10:00 am in Clayton. They will be running the Rivergate Trail system from Clayton to Philadelphia for lunch and then onto Redwood. Folks should park at the DPW lot or the Ice Arena Parking lot.

          Doug Cronk then asked the club what do we now need to focus on to keep the club moving along. He said that money wise we were doing all right and so is it that we need more participation from members or what. Many of those present felt that leadership is a good start and some even said that more active members helping out would be an improvement. Doug made a good statement in that each of us individually, when we’re out and about riding our ATV’s, can make a good public image for our sport that will help us out in the long run. Riding responsibly and obeying all rules and regulations is the way we should be conducting ourselves at all times.

           Faron then asked for any bills that needed to be paid by the club. Pat Miller had a bill for postage of mailing birthday cards out for $7.40. Faron had a bill of $22.20 for postage for mailing newsletters, membership cards and ATV stickers. We also would be writing a check for the $50 dues to the Jefferson County ATV Association. Motion was made to pay all the bills by Chester Vrooman and Ed McGrew seconded it. All those present were in favor.

          Faron asked Doug Cronk how he was coming along with the club tractor. We had taken it to him to have him work on the lightening system. He asked us if we would be looking at trying to have it back in time to put it in the Pulaski parade. We thought that would be a good idea, as we have not shown it at that parade, but did last year at the Lacona parade. Ralph Miller said he would see what he could do about getting the tractor transported down to Pulaski for the parade.

           Faron then asked the new board of directors where are we going to start concentrating on constructing a trail system. VP Bellinger said that a lot was going to depend on exactly on what Jefferson County is planning on doing. Doug Cronk said he would see what he could find out in regards to what the plans are with Winoa Forest.

           Faron then informed us of our friends from the Oswego County ATV Club having a public hearing coming up in the town of Boylston. He advised us that this hearing is very important for not just all riders, but especially for those that live in the town, to show up to this hearing. This meeting will be held on the 23^rd of August at 7:30 pm. It is of HIGH importance that as many of the town of Boylston residents show up to this hearing and voice their opinions on having the town open some of their roads for ATV access.

           Stan Miller, our Adopt-a-Highway coordinator then asked us when we would like to schedule our fall clean up. Everyone agreed on the 15^th of September at 5:00 pm and we would be meeting at Ralph Miller’s place. Club would provide hotdogs, hamburgers and beverages to those who show up and help pick up our section of Route 11.

          Dave Beyer then made a suggestion on how our club needs to organize and plan some rides for next year. Looking at going to other places like the Tug Hill, Pennsylvania, and other areas that club members might be interested in. Faron advised us to keep in mind when, where and how. Not to mention is food and lodging available.  Also what environment would be around, in regards to terrain? He also said that is very important to provide good and accurate directions. We then talked about how we might want to form a “Ride Committee” to help coordinate this project.

          Ed McGrew then asked us if we should set up our next year’s Brasher Falls ride. Everyone agreed that we should and so we picked the dates of July 21^st through the 23^rd of 2006. Everyone should be marking those dates on his or her calendars. Keeping in mind that you have to wait until after May 1^st of next year, before you can call the folks at the Riverside Campgrounds for your reservations.

           Steve Cronk, the president of the Oswego County ATV Club, then informed us about what his club has been doing and what they had coming up in their near future. He talked mostly about the hearing coming up in the town of Boylston and how important it is going to be to have as many town residents there. Steve then told us about his club having a camp out and ride on the 5^th and 6^th of August and he extended us an invitation. His club would be planning a ride on the 6^th from Altmar to Barnes Corners and they would be leaving at 9:00 am. If anyone would like more information in regards to this ride you can give him a call at 298-3312. Steve then thank our club for inviting some of his members to join us at Brasher Falls and he said that they had a good time and hope to be able to come with us again next year.

          We then had a discussion on getting a committee together, to go out and get some sponsor donations to help us continue our efforts to get a trail system in our area. We need to get some folks out their showing the area businesses that they are a part of our efforts to get a trail system established.

          We then had our 50/50 raffle drawing. We had a total of $38. Debbie Bellinger turned out to be the big winner of half of the raffle. Congratulations Debbie 

          We then scheduled our next meeting/ride to be held at Washington Park in Adams on Saturday the 20^th of August. This ride would be at 10:00 am. The club will be providing hotdogs and chips. Everyone should bring his or her own beverages.

          Bill Harrington then advised us that there was in the works, the possibility of the Indian reservation in Oneida might be opening their lands up for atv’s. He said that there would be camping, lodging, gas and restaurants available. He said that this might come about sometime next year and that our club might want to think about doing a ride in that area.   

          Dave Beyer then made the motion to adjourn our meeting at 7:00 pm. Doug Cronk seconded the motion and all those present were in favor. We all then got ready to go to karaoke night at the Riverside Campgrounds where Bill Eldridge the “Karaoke DJ” would be entertaining us through out the evening.

FAB’s Fact’s: We currently have 19 memberships that have not renewed as of August 7^th. We extended the deadline for renewal until the end of July. This may now become your last newsletter from us. We are currently under new management and the new leadership promises to have some new and exciting things happening for this club. Many have talked how they would like more rides and our new board of directors will be working on that request. Your renewal into this club is greatly needed so we can provide the numbers that are needed to fight for our rights as a four wheeling community. Please consider renewing as soon as possible.

(Peter Dates, Fred Schimmel, Robert Waite, Shane Cornell, John Wood, Ray Bouchard, John Bush, Newton Warner, Jim Warner, Glenn VanHoesen, Gaius Fox, Doug Gaylord, Gerald Arzie, Scott Parish, Joey Bush, Roger Manchester, Robert Rauch, Thor Gunderson, Dennis Clark)

Note from “The Fab One”: As many of you know by now, I have stepped down from my many duties for this club. I have tried to do my best to keep this club running and moving into the future. Although I will not be at the helm of this club, I will always remain dedicated to it and will continue to give the new board of directors my support. All I ask of each of you, is that you do the same. They need the support of each and everyone. Whether it is by being on a committee, financial support, physical and moral support or what ever they need. This will now be my last editorial to this wonderful newsletter and I would like to thank each and everyone for the support you gave me in maintaining this club. So if you have any further questions, comments, or issues, please contact the following Board of Directors:

Executive Director:      Mike Bellinger     785-6811     mgb702@yahoo.com

Assistant Director:       David Beyer         782-5280     92vmax@imcnet.net

Secretary:                     Kevin Helinger     298-2352     khelinge@twcny.rr.com

Treasurer:                    Stanley Miller       387-2087     smille42@twcny.rr.com

Upcoming Events / Rides:

August 17th, 2005: Work detail on our trial in Community Park. Meet at Ralph Miller’s place at 5:00 pm. Bring shovels, hammers, chainsaws and other trimming equipment. Call the “Fab One” at 387-6396 the night before to see if this work detail is still going to happen.

August 20th, 2004: Club Meeting/Ride at Washington Park in Adams. Ride will take place at 10:00 am sharp. Followed by a lunch of Hotdogs and chips provided by the club. Please bring your own beverages. Club meeting to take place afterwards. Directions for getting to Washington Park are as follows:  Coming from the South: Take Route 81 North to Exit 41 (Adams Exit). Turn left onto Route 178. Go to Stoplight and turn right onto Route 11. Go to top of hill and take next left onto Route 189. Turn left onto Route 97 and go about 2 miles and Washington Park entrance will be on your left.  Coming from the North:  Take Route 81 South to Exit 41 (Adams Exit). Turn left onto Route 178. Go to Stoplight and turn right onto Route 11. Go to top of hill and take next left onto Route 189. Turn left onto Route 97 and go about 2 miles and Washington Park entrance will be on your left.

September 11th, 2005: Club Meeting/Ride/Bon-Fire at Ralph Miller’s Place. This may be our last club ride this year, before hunting season, so come out and enjoy this one. Club will be providing hotdogs, hamburgers and the fixings. We are asking members to please bring a dish to place, along with your own beverages and tableware. We will be getting started at 2:00 pm.

September 15th, 2005: Last Adopt-a-Highway Clean up for this year. We will be gathering at the home of Ralph Miller at 5:00 pm. Come out and help clean up our section of Route 11 and feel good about doing a good deed for the Community. Club will be providing the meal for that evening.

September 17th, 2005: Countywide ATV Ride. This ride will be hosted by the Rivergate Wheelers Club and will start at 10:00 am in Clayton. They will be running the Rivergate Trail system from Clayton to Philadelphia for lunch and then onto Redwood. Folks should park at the DPW lot or the Ice Arena Parking lot.

July 21st – 23rd, 2006:  Brasher Falls Weekend Getaway.

Everyone should call the folks at the Riverside Campgrounds for your reservations after May 1^st of next year by calling (315) 389-4771.

August Birthday Wishes:

Be sure to wish these folks a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY the next time you see them.

NYTRO OF NNY

“A Division of the New York Trail Riders Organization, Inc.”

Member of NYSORVA Region 6 Association

Member of the Jefferson County ATV Association

Member of the Sandy Creek Community Park