Greetings from Prince Edward Island! We hope you are all enjoying your Summer. The video highlights for ISC 2009 can now be found on Snowtrails TV at
If anyone is interested, DVD copies of ISC 2009 Highlights are available by contacting Video Mike at: vmike@snowtrailstv.com
Once again, we would like to say Thank You for your attendance at ISC 2009,it was our pleasure to host everyone.
Dale, Murray, Cathy, Linda, Earl, Donald, Dhuey & Darryl
3rd Annual NHSA Golf Tournament, September 12, 2009
Deadline to register: August 29, 2009.
Den Brae Golf Course 80 Prescott Road. Sanbornton, NH
Call NHSA 603-273-0220 Email nhsaoffice@nhsa.com Web www.nhsa.com
The home of Gail and Pete Hanson in Belmont, NH was recently broke into and torched. Gail is the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association. A suspect was arrested and remains a person of interest until more evidence is gathered. The house is a total loss and an insurance mess. They will be getting a trailer of some kind while their house is rebuilt. See the video from WMUR-TV.
An account to assist them has been created at the Laconia Savings Bank, please send donations to: Laconia Savings Bank, Gail and Peter Hanson Fire Fund, 62 Pleasant St, Laconia NH 03246. Please make donations payable the Gail and Peter Hanson fund NOT NHSA.
A few photos from Prince Edward Island during the International Snowmobile Congress 2009.
The 2012 International Snowmobile Congress will be held in Sturbridge Massachusetts. This will be the first time that the Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts has hosted the prestigious event. The facility of choice is the Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center, located at the edge of a lake on Rt 20, a stones throw from the Mass Pike (I-90) and Rt 84.
Dennis Burns, CCSO Executive Director, and Kevin Sweetland, CCSO President, give Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper “The President’s Award” for funding an expansion of the national trail network. The ceremony took place at the International Snowmobile Congress at Summerside PEI. CBCnews reports.
The IASA introduced a new, in depth, Zero Tolerance program today at the International Snowmobile Congress at Prince Edward Island. The multimedia campaign of video, radio spots, web ads and traditional print will be available to snowmobile organizations around the world. These tools deliver a clear, cohesive message for snowmobile associations to use within their community. This is especially welcome as states look for educational resources during a down economy. Although many could not attend this two hour introduction, it will be repeated in a brief summary during this weeks ACSA meeting.
The Vancouver Sun reports that a non- partisan group of rural MLAs, and a grassroots coalition of snowmobilers have been pushing the government to license snowmobiles.
In preparation for your legislative visits, here are some of the topics we’ll be discussing. The one thing you will probably hear time and time again is the focus that seems to be on jobs… retaining jobs and creating new jobs. How many jobs do tourism, recreation and snowmobiling bring to your state? What is the economic impact you have on your state? Another topic of interest will be environmental. It’s all about jobs and being green — so be prepared.
RTP/Highway Bill Reauthorization. As you know, the current bill expires this September. I think it’s important that you are fully aware and versed of the impact RTP has on snowmobiling in your state. Do you know if your state is spending all of their money? That should include motorized, non-motorized and diversified. Do you have any good examples of RTP projects that you can reference?
FLAME Act. This is a relatively new piece of legislation, although we’ve discussed the topic many times with the leadership of the Forest Service and it was introduced late last session. This addresses the annual problem resulting from the high costs of fighting wildfires by creating a special catastrophic wildfire fund rather than forcing the funds to be transferred from other program funds. This legislation quickly passed the House and is now in the Senate.
HIPPA. Again, legislation that has been around for many years. There are a couple pieces of legislation currently being considered — but we will be seeking co-sponsors. Do you know if any of your members have been denied health care coverage because they broke their ankle snowmobiling, but would have been covered if they had fallen down the stairs? Have your Congressmen and Senators been supportive of this in the past?
Washington is running a very small staff right now. Most of the agencies have not completed appointments — either those that require Senate confirmation or those that require no confirmation. The few names that have been put forth are not racing through the confirmation process. The slim staff that is in place are trying to do the work of a full staff and being pulled in many ways at one time. Congress is not much different from the agencies in that regard. You will see many new faces in the member’s offices, which means they are not familiar with you, your organization or your issues. They are also trying to cover a wide variety of topics….all at one time.
Bring a one-page summary of snowmobiling in your state that we can insert in the packets that we will provide you to give to your members. Give them facts and figures. Make it an easy reference for them to use. You can also bring along copies of your magazine or newspaper to leave with their office.
Chapter Meetings on Sunday morning, and an ACSA meeting on Sunday afternoon; speakers on Monday; and Hill Visits on Tuesday. Dress should be casual for Sunday and Monday, and professional for Tuesday — with very comfortable shoes. Remember, you’ll be walking on Tuesday, rain or shine, so you may want to throw in an umbrella.
Reuters reports on a House Bill that many of us have lobbied for in Washington D.C.
“Many consumers or employers shopping for health care coverage are led to believe that care for a broken arm, for example, is the same regardless of how the injury happened but that is not the case,” said Republican Representative Michael Burgess, a physician who sponsored the legislation.
He said people who ride motorcycles, horses or snowmobiles or participate in other sports can find that an injury suffered while engaging in those activities is not covered by their health insurance policy.
