President's Christmas Message
LET IT SNOW!!!! LET IT SNOW!!!! LET IT SNOW!!!!! Well another year has passed and it is Christmas time again, is it just me or do these events seem to come a lot quicker than they use to?
I know when you look outside today it does not look much like snowmobiling weather but all snowmobilers are forever optimistic and I remind you we did not begin grooming last year until January 2nd.
There have been many developments at the PEISA lately and I will touch on each of them shortly. First I would hope that everybody took the time to look at the photos of the very succesful Santa Clause Parade that are available for viewing on this website. A big thank-you to Linda,Daryl,Duey,Ricky and Earl for all their effort in setting up float and making arrangements. Big thanks to Eric MacLauchlan at Island Coastal for the use of truck and float as well as driver. Also we have to remember that without the contribution of our four dealers(DENNIS MOTORS, REDDINS POWER SPORTS, RED ROCK HARLEY-DAVIDSON, and TOYMASTER MOTOR SPORTS) these type of events are near impossible to put on. Once again a big THANK-YOU to all involved and job well done.
After much discussion and effort the board is pleased to announce the formation of a full time trail wardens program that will work closely the current trail warden program now in place. We have recently hired full time wardens who will be on patrol from tip to tip on a daily basis when the snow finally gets here.
These trained officers will be searching for registrations and for those who ride our trail systems without there PEISA Trail Pass. These wardens will be working at all times of the day and on all trails. So those who think they can ride for free will be caught. Also those of us who faithfully buy our pass each year,spread the word about the full time warden and refuse to ride with those without a trail pass,because why should you pay for FREE LOADERS to ride our trail system.
The PEISA is pleased to announce a new program with Gary Dunning of Toymaster and Red Rock called the TOYMASTER TRAIL REPORT. All of the details have not yet been finalized but it will consist of daily reports on several Island radio stations during the day providing updates on trail conditions and trail groomers.
Also, we are working on the possibility of live radio broadcasts from different areas on the trails throughout the year. A big thank-you to Gary for his support on this program and many contributions over the years. There will be more details on this shortly and be sure to follow this program on the website when the snow arrives.
Several of the board members have heard complaints over the $25 increase in permit fees for this year. The board has been entrusted by you the membership to keep the PEISA operating on your behalf and some of the decions that are made are not very easy,but they are all done in the best intrests of snowmobiling on PEI. The board does not take the additional $25 on each permit and go for a two week cruise,all the monies are used to keep equipment running and overhead to run the association. Our numbers of permit holders has dropped and in order to maintain the fine quality of our trail system you expect we have to pass the cost on to our users.
As you know, our trail grooming equipment is getting old and on that note I am pleased to announce the leasing of a new groomer. We are going with a tractor with a set of Soucey tracks and this groomer will be going to the Eastern area as they had the oldest unit. Hopefully all will go well with this system as it is much cheaper to go this way as opposed to going with a new Tucker-groomer.
In closing I would like to thank the entire Board and their families for all the dedication and commitment they give to make sure we keep snowmobiling on PEI alive and well. To all members of the PEI snowmobiling associiation which is all of you who faithfully buy our permits a huge MERRY CHRISTMAS and a snow filled 2010.
Thank-you Dale Hickox
President, PEISA