Post by mike farmer on Apr 18, 2011 8:03:49 GMT -5
Here is a copy of a note i sent to Tony Shipley and other legislators about an inaccurate article in the times news. I plan on replying to the Times News but here is what i sent Tony.
I have never put up a sign, knocked on doors or made a phone call for a politician but as we find the people that support us i plan on giving them my all when their November comes along.
Here is the note...
There is several inaccuracies in the Time’s report.
• Most importantly was the reference that Rep Shipley points out that the bill is designed to open up wilderness areas to tourism. I take exception to the word “wilderness”. There is no way that we are wanting access to what we in the outdoors call wilderness areas. These special places are set aside and should not have vehicle access. All we are wanting is if there is a designated riding area that we can have access to services.
• The correct amount of the grant money in WVA is $700,000 not $750,000
• Mr Johnson does not state that Hatfield McCoy sold $2,000,000 worth of trail passes in 2010
• Mr Johnson does not state that the riders that rode the Hatfield McCoy trail system spent $10,000,000 in the local economies last year.
• Johnson states that $225,000 of recreational trail funds is spent at Royal Blue but does not tell the total yearly amount of RTP funds the state of Tennessee gets. I understand there is a surplus and this money is supposed to be dispersed throughout the state, not just held for Royal Blue.
• Johnson states that the fees will not support Royal Blue however the fee for a yearly pass is $61 and a day pass is $12.50 for a resident. The fees for a nonresident is $191 yearly and $30.50 daily. Our emphasis should be on attracting non-resident riders to Tennessee. These are the people that ride for several days at a time and spend more per rider since they are usually riding hours away from home. Harlan County KY draws riders from as far as Florida. These guys drive right by Royal Blue to ride in Harlan Kentucky. On several of the forums is has been stated that TWRA does not want non-resident riders. I cannot say if this is true or not but their fee structure sure shows this to be true.
• Mr Johnson testified about the TWRA’s operation of the Ride Royal Blue ATV Guest Resort in the Cumberland Mountains of Campbell County. Sheila, Nate and Jessica Westray own Ride Royal Blue Resort and it is most definitely privately owned. TWRA has nothing to do with this operation.
I do not know if Mr Johnson is confused or what but it seems if someone is going to be called to testify in front of a committee that someone from the opposing side would be given a chance to tell their side. Of course there is the chance that the press just misreported this.
Tony, we really appreciate what you are doing for East Tennessee. We support you and when the time comes we will step up and show our support. Tennessee has 909,000 OHV riders that I am sure is concerned about this issue.
.....................................
I plan on contacting Hank Hayes today with the times news and try to get our side out there.
Mike
BTW does anyone know how to change the font so it prints in italics? When i paste something like this letter i would like to change the font.
I have never put up a sign, knocked on doors or made a phone call for a politician but as we find the people that support us i plan on giving them my all when their November comes along.
Here is the note...
There is several inaccuracies in the Time’s report.
• Most importantly was the reference that Rep Shipley points out that the bill is designed to open up wilderness areas to tourism. I take exception to the word “wilderness”. There is no way that we are wanting access to what we in the outdoors call wilderness areas. These special places are set aside and should not have vehicle access. All we are wanting is if there is a designated riding area that we can have access to services.
• The correct amount of the grant money in WVA is $700,000 not $750,000
• Mr Johnson does not state that Hatfield McCoy sold $2,000,000 worth of trail passes in 2010
• Mr Johnson does not state that the riders that rode the Hatfield McCoy trail system spent $10,000,000 in the local economies last year.
• Johnson states that $225,000 of recreational trail funds is spent at Royal Blue but does not tell the total yearly amount of RTP funds the state of Tennessee gets. I understand there is a surplus and this money is supposed to be dispersed throughout the state, not just held for Royal Blue.
• Johnson states that the fees will not support Royal Blue however the fee for a yearly pass is $61 and a day pass is $12.50 for a resident. The fees for a nonresident is $191 yearly and $30.50 daily. Our emphasis should be on attracting non-resident riders to Tennessee. These are the people that ride for several days at a time and spend more per rider since they are usually riding hours away from home. Harlan County KY draws riders from as far as Florida. These guys drive right by Royal Blue to ride in Harlan Kentucky. On several of the forums is has been stated that TWRA does not want non-resident riders. I cannot say if this is true or not but their fee structure sure shows this to be true.
• Mr Johnson testified about the TWRA’s operation of the Ride Royal Blue ATV Guest Resort in the Cumberland Mountains of Campbell County. Sheila, Nate and Jessica Westray own Ride Royal Blue Resort and it is most definitely privately owned. TWRA has nothing to do with this operation.
I do not know if Mr Johnson is confused or what but it seems if someone is going to be called to testify in front of a committee that someone from the opposing side would be given a chance to tell their side. Of course there is the chance that the press just misreported this.
Tony, we really appreciate what you are doing for East Tennessee. We support you and when the time comes we will step up and show our support. Tennessee has 909,000 OHV riders that I am sure is concerned about this issue.
.....................................
I plan on contacting Hank Hayes today with the times news and try to get our side out there.
Mike
BTW does anyone know how to change the font so it prints in italics? When i paste something like this letter i would like to change the font.
