Trailtracks-Summer 2002

PORT-A-JOHN: The FFMHT has had a port-a-john installed beside the parking lot in Stanton, on Walnut Street. It will be in place until mid October, 2002. We hope that this will add to your comfort and enjoyment of the Trail.

CELEBRATIONS: The Annual Banquet will be held on May 17, 2003 at the Curtis Building in Edmore. Details to follow concerning committees! This will be a fundraiser, so please start thinking about ideas to make money. Do we want a raffle?
Do we want a Silent Auction?

MDOT GRANT: The FFMHT did not receive an MDOT grant in the last award cycle. We will resubmit for another consideration this fall. The Trail now totals nearly 13 miles one way.

DALMAC GRANT: The FFMHT has received word that we did not receive monies for our Mule, blower, and sprayer. The group will pursue using other avenues
to acquire these needed items. A committee is in the process of researching prices and availability of the needed items.

ADOPT-A-TRAIL: Only one section of Trail is waiting to be adopted!! Section 14, Epley Rd. to Briggs Rd. is .9 long and looking for someone to adopt it. It is located about halfway between Stanton and McBride, and is paved.
The Adopt-A-Trail crew leaders met for a picnic at Stanton on June 12. Attendance was great (nearly 50 people) and discussion was lively. It was decided to continue with this new tradition.
We still need your help with reporting any damage or trespassing on the Trail. Unauthorized vehicles should be reported to the Sheriff’ Department at 989-831-5253 (Montcalm) and 989-875-4128 (Gratiot). Maybe consider carrying your cell phone with you on the trail.

NOTICE: There will not be a meeting of FFMHT Gratiot in August. The next meeting will be September 9th in Robyn's office at Alma College - 7:00 pm.

MCBRIDE-EDMORE TRAIL SECTION: The three mile section of trail connecting McBride to Edmore has been brushed out, trimmed and sprayed, The group has decided to wait on the application of gravel using our RTC grant until we get the final word on the MDOT grant for next summer.

FMHT VOLUNTEER COURTESY PATROL:
At the May FFMHT meeting, a committee was appointed by Vice Chairman, John Heron to meet with the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office and Denise Hubbard from Volunteer Connections. Volunteers for the committee were Don Stearns, Carolyn Kane, Dean Iverson, Randy Jones and Pat Bagby. Representatives from the Sheriff’s office were Sheriff Bill Barnwell, Under Sheriff Bill Burden, Deputy Steve Russell and Deputy Mark Bellinger. Volunteers are needed to patrol during heavy traffic times of 6-9 weekdays and 2-3 hours on weekends. Volunteers will provide directions and information to those utilizing the trail, carry first-aid materials, help manage mis-use of trail facilities and record contacts on the trail. If you can volunteer a couple of hours each week, please contact Denise Hubbard at 1-800-417-2622 or dhubbard@mcvolunteerconnections.org
for more information.

TRAIL WORK: With the help of volunteer youngsters from the Juvenile Court System, we will be brushing the trail from Crystal Rd. east in early August. Many thanks to these young people for their help with this project!

THANK YOU’S: New combination road sign and distance-to-community posts have been installed on all paved sections of the trail. These 6 x 6 treated posts also serve to block entrance to the Trail by vehicles, while allowing access to walkers and bikers. Many thanks to Don and Karen Stearns, Mark Schumacher, Diane Wilson, Ralph Grossbauer and Wayne and Diane Stearns (Don’s brother and sister-in-law from Cadillac) for all of their help with preparing and setting the posts.

Vote YES on PROPOSAL 2!
If you support Outdoor Recreation, Conservation, Michigan’s State Park System and Emergency Funding for Veterans, Proposal 2 is for U! Voters on August 6th can allow increased spending for state parks, local parks and outdoor recreation by increasing the cap on state funds and annual expenditures. Proposal 2 does not raise taxes and increases the amount of money available for important projects undertaken by these funds. Help us get out the vote, and encourage others to VOTE YES ON MICHIGAN’S PARKS, LAKES AND WILDILFE!

SEGWAY
Trail advocates across the state of Michigan were successful in adding amendments to Senate Bill 1016, which will allow local trails to regulate the operation of electric personal assistive mobility devises (Segways). This version of the Senate Bill was approved by both the House and Senate and was waiting for the Governor to sign it into law. Thanks to everyone that wrote a letter, called, sent an email to your elected officials or testified before the legislative committee and made this a favorable group effort.

The next meeting of the FFMHT Montcalm will be August 27, 2002, at the Stanton ISD on New Street in Stanton at 7:00 pm.

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