Say a little something for my Daughter

Well never thought I would have to post for some moral support by people I mostly know just from on a sled forum but I have too. I will keep it short as it is really hard to go throw it all.

My 3 year daughter is fighting right now. She has been diagnosed with ITP which effected her blood clotting abitlity, look it up it is not something you want to deal with. If you search you see normal is 150,000 to 450,000, hers went down to 6,000. This was sunday. A catscan happened on tuesday to reveal she hard bleeding on the brain, not on the outside but in the middle of the brain in a spot where the super brain doctors do not like to go and here status went to life-threatning. She had 4 major seizures with one lasting 10 minutes all on tuesday. We have not heard her sweet voice, looked into her beautiful eyes and seen her grinning smile in days. She is now starting to move around and we just hoping all is well. They can not give any outcome until she fights through all the meds she has been on. So if you can say a little something for my litle angel Alivia that would be great.

Thanks to you all for taking the time to read.

Trail Permit fee for 2008/2009

The cost for this year will still be $25

Surprised that there has been no post on it, with all the post late winter/early spring that were showing up because the cost was going to go up.

This will likely be the last year though at that price. Some of why it stayed low is likely due the the MSA getting the dnr to drop their oversight raid of the fee. The other likely the state of the michigan economy. Though it will not surprise me if we get alot of snow that the grooming fund runs dry from the lack of permits being bought due to people getting out of the sport, plain not be able to afford to go and then those few clowns that do not buy one.

Sledheads in Frederick

For those that go to Petes site.
http://www.frederic-mi.com/ is no longer working.

The new address is:

http://www.sledheadsusa.com/

MSA Hard at Work

Some updates hit the MSA website and the changes are starting to happen. I'll put the links with some highlighted area from arcticles below as some probally won't click the link.

http://www.msasnow.org/vice-president's_desk.htm

DNR Accountability--In the 2007-2008 Snowmobile Trail Grant Handbook the DNR budgeted 28% of the fund for administering the program. We (MSA officers and Executive Director) questioned the DNR about this cost. We also brought it to the attention of a few key state representatives and senators. As a result the 2008-2009 proposed budget for administering the fund has been reduced to 15%. This is a 55% reduction! This reduction adds more than a million dollars that will go towards trail maintenance, equipment and grooming this year.

Grant Sponsor-- A grant sponsor is a snowmobile club or other non-profit group that applies for cost reimbursement for maintaining and grooming the snowmobile trails. The club must apply for the money and agree to the terms and conditions listed in the "Recreational and Snowmobile Trail Grant Handbook" that is developed by the DNR. It is the grant sponsors that do all the field work to give the snowmobiler a smooth trail to ride.

Changes coming soon to the MSA Website:
There will be an area for all 68 grant sponsors to directly post up to date trail reports.
A list of commercial MSA members will be posted so you will know who supports MSA and snowmobiling.
A family oriented interactive bulletin board will be added with many different sections. Individuals will be able to ask MSA questions, express their concerns, report stolen sleds and trailers, plus discuss other snowmobile related issues.
Parts of the bulletin board will be available to MSA members only. The board will be monitored by MSA member Paul Anderson and a few of his MSA member friends.


http://www.msasnow.org/president's_desk.htm

The DNR has transferred $400,000 from the DNR budget line to the Grant Sponsor budget line. These funds were mistakenly put in the DNR budget for grooming during the 08 season. The DNR does not currently groom any trails in the Michigan system.

GAYLORD TO CHEBOYGAN TRAIL NEWS

Time to email or write read the info below:

GAYLORD TO CHEBOYGAN TRAIL NEWS

Snowmobiling has been allowed on the 11 mile section along west Mullet Lake for the last two years. The Department of Natural Resources will evaluate the use of snowmobiles on this segment of trail, including compliance with the restrictions, following two full seasons of snowmobile use.

The restrictions were to close the trail to all snowmobile traffic from midnight to 8 AM, and have a speed limit for the whole 12 mile stretch of 35 MPH.

The special land use orders were signed by Rebecca A. Humphries, director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) two years ago. The evaluation of the impact of snowmobiling will be conducted this month and any change to the order allowing snowmobiling will be brought to the Natural Resource Commission.

Over the last two years the department has continually received complaints about snowmobiling from the same handful of residents along the trail. Law enforcement officials have noted a few violations for curfew, and speeding. These violations and complaints will most likely be weighed by the department against the value that snowmobiler's have brought to the area, as well as the maintenance the clubs along the trail have done.

MSA needs you to get out your pen and let the department know that you want the trail to stay open to snowmobilers. If you have ridden the trail, your ride will speak for itself. If not, here are a few ideas. The grade is the only permanent way to get from Gaylord to the bridge through the center of the state. Private land, swamp and lakes make all other routes suspect. The value that snowmobile dollars bring to the businesses in northern Lower Michigan allows them to stay open.

pearsorg@michigan.gov or send written comments to:

Robin Pearson
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Gaylord Operations Service Center
1732 West M-32
Gaylord, MI 49735