Moving Forward – February 2019

I would like to say “Happy Snow” but Erie has not had much good riding so far this winter. The local TV stations are comparing pictures of December 2017 with 2018. The difference in the amount of snow is amazing.

Senator Laughlin (R – Chair of the Fish and Game Commission) from Erie is proposing hunting on certain Sundays. Specific dates are being discussed. Check with his office for updates.
This is what I found on the Senate website:

Senator Laughlin MEMORANDUM
“In the near future, we plan to introduce legislation that would authorize the Game Commission to allow for hunting on Sundays. Currently, this prohibition is the only game management decision that the legislature has put into stature. This language would change that and would leave all hunting management decisions to the Game Commission.”

Safety is a concern especially for clubs who have trails on private property. Trail maintenance is a year-round activity and much work is done on the weekends. (See my e-mail to the Senator)

PSSA encourages all clubs to keep in contact with local elected officials.

As a reminder: There is need for more positive contact with our elected officials. Invite them to take a ride with your club members. Much can be gained by reaching out to them. Remember they are the ones who vote on laws or give their blessing to open trails on township property. (Call/e – mail your representatives. Express your support/concerns.

It is that time of the year for clubs to recognize club members who promote their club/Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association (PSSA) and snowmobile recreation.

The following are the PSSA Annual Awards.

Snowmobiler of the Year
Snowmobile Family of the Year
Snowmobile Teen of the Year
Snowmobile Dealer of the Year
Forest/Government Official of the Year

All nominees must have been a PSSA member or a business member since January 2017. Government /Forest Officials do not have to be a member. Send/email your nominations with a short resume to the Erie Office by March 25, 2019. (ottilia@roadrunner.com)

There are two positions open for the Executive Board (Don Mosier and myself). These candidates are elected at the Annual Membership Meeting. Send your resume to Charles Walter, Board Secretary by February 15, 2019. You will be given a short questionnaire to answer. Your resume and answers will be posted in the April issue of KS.

Any Regional Director whose term of office ends April 2019 should ask their clubs to send an e-mail to Charles Walter, Board Secretary, designating their approval for you to represent them for another 3 years or they should elect someone else to represent them. Several Regions are vacant. Anyone who is a member of a club in a region can be elected as the Regional Director. Again send an e-mail to Charles Walter by March 25, 2019.

Concerns have been raised about Youth Safety Classes. One can now take the Safety Class on line with no requirement for “on the ground” training. Who actually takes the test? Should the test be taken at a club Safety Class or with a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) representative? Is money the motivating factor? This issue will be presented at the next Snowmobile/ATV meeting this spring.

Voucher Raffle tickets are in the mail. This is one way you can help PSSA. Be generous. The Drawing will be held at the Annual Membership Meeting in April.

OTHER INFORMATION
Clubs- PSSA is in need of your updated information – Please send your club President’s name, address, phone number, email and Facebook information to Kathy Woolever.

Calendars – The American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA) calendars have arrived. They are available for $20 each. You have many chances to win. PSSA benefits from the sale of these calendars. Send your check with your return information to the Palmyra Office and the calendars will be sent to you. (Calendars are available throughout the year.)

We are in need of a few more donations to purchase more cameras.

Get out and enjoy the beauty of Pennsylvania!

Think Snow!
Liz Krug, President

Remember the Date: Annual Meeting – Saturday, April 27, 9am Ramada Golf and Conference Center, University Park, PA (Same as last year)