to ontario riders

[SledFreak]

Your kidding me right? Statements from stubby and Irv just mind boggle me. Ontario is not the only province to have volunteers. U.S or Canada, they all have volunteers to keep trails going. I have done my share, so please spare me with the theatrics. 23 Page thread and we still keep getting posts that there is really nothing wrong with OFSC and that its everyone else. This has not just been posted on this site, but this issue is all over all sledding sites. People have had it with OFSC and the product they deliver. Wow... Is all I have to say... You guys keep drinking the Koolaid..

 

[Stubbs]

No koolaid here bud....... never once said things couldn't be improved a bunch. Also didn't realize pointing out the shortcomings of our provincial government for 20+ years in reguards to sledding vs. government support in other areas of the world was being "theatrical" in any way. Thanks for your continued support towards organized sledding in Ontario from the majority of us who don't have the means to ride elswhere at will.

 

[SledFreak]

It was your last reply that warranted my post. Bud... You also never stated that things could be improved either... Weather is a mute point. The snow is either here or not, and everyone needs to deal with it, but they sure do not make it easy on anyone. The price is the same all season long in other duristrictions. Not in Ontario. 140.00 dollar week passes? Great way to welcome people from other states or provinces.

Its pretty well known that Volunteers do the majority of the work. Trail prep, etc... The groomer operators get paid. So, I am not sure if your sarcasim is warranted.

Short Comings of the goverment? The only effort OFSC has ever gone to with trying to get money from the government was to make the permit law. All that did, was mandate the police to ticket people for not having a permit (which is valid), Issue traffic violations for loud pipes, going over a speed limit of 20kms an hour, etc.... The last point is just rediculous and have driven people from the sport. Great job OFSC! What a way to get some government funding.

As far as Support, I have paid my support since permits were 25.00... Over 25+ years of it with 2-3 sleds in my household. That is the reason I am done with it...

I hate to be so negative about this, but, IMO, OFSC was in charge of this sport and they have royally screwed it up in the province of Ontario.

 

[Irv]

Your kidding me right? Statements from stubby and Irv just mind boggle me. Ontario is not the only province to have volunteers. U.S or Canada, they all have volunteers to keep trails going. I have done my share, so please spare me with the theatrics. 23 Page thread and we still keep getting posts that there is really nothing wrong with OFSC and that its everyone else. This has not just been posted on this site, but this issue is all over all sledding sites. People have had it with OFSC and the product they deliver. Wow... Is all I have to say... You guys keep drinking the Koolaid..

Sledfreak, it sounds like you have other or internal issues with the OFSC, and although they may be valid in your opinion, and likely a few others, the bottom line, when you cut through all the bullshit, the price of the permit is still a pretty good deal, at least to me and likely quite a few others as well.

I never said the OFSC was perfect, but I know every business, corporation or entity isn't either, and when you throw in the fact this entity is run by volunteers, I don't think it is as bad as some portray it to be.

 

[scott32]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQCU36pkH7c

 

[Stubbs]

WOW. seems to be LOTS of people here that have done there fair share and bought a permit consistently over the years ...... good job!!!! Would be nice to hear an opinion, in regards to the new direction the OFSC has taken this year, from some of those that continue to DONATE a ton of their own PERSONAL TIME to provide us with something to ride on..........

 

[Murse]

Now I can't put much opinion into this I only know from when my dad was a volunteer and I helped him out some 10 years ago. I know for my dads part he got out of volunteering because of the lack of appreciation for volunteers from inside the cub and its members. He went out every weekend to properly sign and trim trees and brush with his own truck and 4 wheeler and sleds in the winter cutting into his family time and ridding time to only have his good ideas shot down and get yelled at by riders and land owners. He would run out of signs and want more they were always back ordered or run out, then he would get yelled at by landowners when snow would fly before the trails were officially open. Riders would open fences and ride through farmers property and livestock would escape ( worth a lot of money ). Who do they complain to well the district volunteer they know of. My dad had no control of these things which sucked for him, he was even an ofsc trail warden patrolling for trails and riders would yell at him because a trail was rough. He had no control over that. There are some definite challenges for everyone in the sport of snowmobiling. Now I am not agreeing or disagreeing with anyone is the OFSC perfect hell no but what I do know is that volunteers deserve more credit then they often get wherever the trail system is US or Canada and landowners who have legit complaints deserve respect and appreciation as well. I am pretty happy with our trails and don't have an issue with the money spent yet. I want to see improvements yes but I think with support it will come over time as long as every one keeps cool, keeps respect and appreciation and perhaps get involved.

 

[Stubbs]

Nice to hear from someone else who came from a family that gave themselves, to give others in Ontario trails to enjoy...... My past experience almost mirrors yours.

 

[Irv]

Now I can't put much opinion into this I only know from when my dad was a volunteer and I helped him out some 10 years ago. I know for my dads part he got out of volunteering because of the lack of appreciation for volunteers from inside the cub and its members. He went out every weekend to properly sign and trim trees and brush with his own truck and 4 wheeler and sleds in the winter cutting into his family time and ridding time to only have his good ideas shot down and get yelled at by riders and land owners. He would run out of signs and want more they were always back ordered or run out, then he would get yelled at by landowners when snow would fly before the trails were officially open. Riders would open fences and ride through farmers property and livestock would escape ( worth a lot of money ). Who do they complain to well the district volunteer they know of. My dad had no control of these things which sucked for him, he was even an ofsc trail warden patrolling for trails and riders would yell at him because a trail was rough. He had no control over that. There are some definite challenges for everyone in the sport of snowmobiling. Now I am not agreeing or disagreeing with anyone is the OFSC perfect hell no but what I do know is that volunteers deserve more credit then they often get wherever the trail system is US or Canada and landowners who have legit complaints deserve respect and appreciation as well. I am pretty happy with our trails and don't have an issue with the money spent yet. I want to see improvements yes but I think with support it will come over time as long as every one keeps cool, keeps respect and appreciation and perhaps get involved.

And those that likely did all the griping and rode on farmers fields are the ones that also complain about the price of a permit.

Some are clueless thinking that crop damage isn't paid for by the OFSC, yet they complain about the price of a permit.

Your dad sounds like a great guy, just wish more would appreciate his and others efforts instead of complaining all the time, but likely they themselves have never volunteered one minute so they feel they have the right to complain because, after all, they paid for the over priced permit.

 

[Mooseman]

As far as volunteers feeling unappreciated, this is a club issue, not the OFSC. I have been with my current club, which has won club of the year in the Province, country, continent and in the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, I feel very much appreciated as a volunteer. Although I haven't had much interaction with property owners, I have helped with trail prep, building our club house, manning the booth at the local fair as well as getting firewood for the clubhouse. We have a property owner's and volunteer appreciation dinner after each season, volunteer awards and simple thanks. I do know that our club did go through a dark period where it almost folded but the volunteers brought back from the brink.

I do agree that most of those that complain about the passes and rules are those that don't give a rat's azz about what goes on in the background.

 

[maim]

I cannot join a club because of meeting times interfering with work times. but I will clear stuff off the trails while out riding just to make it better for the next guy behind me.

 

[Sasquatch]

Bought my 187.50 dollar pass online and Have contacted a MPI agent for the application for my Manitoba pass.

If Sledfreak does not want to buy passes because he is mad at the OFSC then its his choice. I like to ride the trails and even though I have my issues with the the OFSC and Snowman I,m not riding the trails without a pass! I will continue to volunteer and continue to lobby my thoughts on what I would like to see the OFSC do from within my club and on the internet in calm debate. Name calling and personal remarks are rude and uncalled for!

What really pisses me off though is people who run down the OFSC and its volunteers. In protest they don't buy passes but still like to ride the trails. Because of their rants and sometime quite insane justification they feel they have a right to ride those trails and the OFSC can kiss their A$$.

Too those I wish

 

[Irv]

I cannot join a club because of meeting times interfering with work times. but I will clear stuff off the trails while out riding just to make it better for the next guy behind me.

Every bit helps Maim, I appreciate your efforts.

 

[YammyRX1]

I cannot join a club because of meeting times interfering with work times. but I will clear stuff off the trails while out riding just to make it better for the next guy behind me.

I've seen you pull more things out of the bush and onto the trail, but I guess brothers don't count!

 

[yamahas]

I cannot join a club because of meeting times interfering with work times. but I will clear stuff off the trails while out riding just to make it better for the next guy behind me.

I've seen you pull more things out of the bush and onto the trail, but I guess brothers don't count!

LMAO