Huron Expositor, 2006-11-01, Page 12Page 12 November 1, 2006 • The Huron Expositor
News
Snowmobile clubs planning to go around land
closed by protesting Huron County farmers
From Page 1
"We have done everything we could
to get government to respond to our
on-going problems competing with
the completely unrestricted imports
of highly -subsidized U.S. grains,
but to no avail."
This decision comes one week
after the OFA chose to not support
Huron County's resolution.
"We are, like many sectors who
have collective bargaining rights,
withdrawing our services to
advance what we believe is a fair,
sound, and for us, vital cause," said
Thompson.
"Furthermore, the `service' we are
providing is definitely not an essen-
tial service. Equally important is
that this is a completely voluntary
action for any individual farmer to
consider. Some farmers will comply,
some won't," he added.
A joint press release issued by
Districts 5 and 9 applauded the
OFA's decision to support the snow-
mobile clubs, however noted that
snowmobilers should expect some
trail restrictions.
"Encouraged
by the OFA posi-
tion, ` and as
strong support-
ers of all those
who make their
living in
Southwestern
Ontario, snow-
mobile club vol-
unteers are proceeding to prepare
the quality snowmobile trails that
rural riders have come to expect."
"If exceptions to the OFA decision
do occur this season, local clubs are
asking all riders to respect these
individual choices."
President for District 5 Jeff
Ramackers, who did attend the
closed meeting in Vanastra, said
while snowmobile clubs understand
and empathize with farmers, he
still has a duty to his own members.
"We have a responsibility to per-
mit purchasers. So we'll do our best
to keep trails open," he said.
"If we don't openup the trails and
sell permits, that would be the end
of the clubs," he added.
Districts 5 and 9 of the Ontario
Federation of Snowmobile Clubs
include over 50 clubs and collective-
ly operate 7,000 km of trails in
Southwestern Ontario.
Ramackers noted that District 5
members, who all work on a volun-
teer basis, are currently contacting
farmers, finding which trails will
close and which ones will remain
open to snowmobilers.
The HCFA has also asked all
members that will be restricting
access to their property to contact
the necessary clubs as soon as pos-
sible.
"We're going to have to find join-
ing land owners that will allow us
on their property (find out) how to
get from point a to point c without
crossing point b," added Ramackers,
noting that he expects by re-routing
what they have, they should ,not
lose any trails.
"We don't foresee a problem. There
won't be a lack of trails," said
Ramackers, adding, "We hope this
issue can be resolved quickly and
the government pays attention to
farmers."
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