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News Updates Thursday, April 22, 2010 ***Annual Club Meeting Election Results*** - Tony @ 10:27 pm EDT The Kingsbury Barnstormers Snowmobile Club had their last meeting and annual club election on Thursday April 22, 2010. The Barnstormers have a new President and Vice President, they are; President Steve Manley and Ed Leonard Vice President, congratulations Steve & Ed. Lourie Desourdy, our past VP, has move on to being the Club's Cooresponding Secretary. The Barnstormers Snowmobile Club would like to thank our past president, Keith Elms, for a great job he has done over the past three years, congratulations to both Steve & Ed on their election and wish all of our officers the best of luck in the coming year. There was a great turn out for the meeting,standing room only, among subjects talked about was a change in the meeting place for future meetings. If there is a change, a post card as well as message e-mail will be sent out to all of our members before the Club's first meeting in the fall. If any important matter arises during the Summer months a mass mailing will be sent out to all the club members.In closing the Barnstormers wish all of our members a safe & great summer, see you in the fall. Comments (0) Wednesday, March 03, 2010 A Fun Time Was Had At The 2010 "Bash" - Tony @ 11:58 pm EDT The 2010 Barnstormer's Bash is now history, everyone who attended had a good time. I have posted photos (18) in the club's web site gallery. Check them out in the folder, March 2010. The food was great, the auction had many items and the music was at it's best. If you didn't attend mark your calender for next year's "bash" I did. Comments (0) Friday, February 26, 2010 Letter For Our State Assembly - Tony @ 11:16 pm EDT Please copy and send this letter to your NYS Assembly Representative ------------------------------------------------------ Date March 1, 2010 Honorable Tony Jordon NYS Assembly LOB 725 Albany, New York 12248 Re: Sweep of Snowmobile Trail Funds by the Governor Dear Assemblyman Jordon: As an avid snowmobiler and a member of Barnstormers Snowmobile Club, I strongly oppose the Governor’s budget proposal to “sweep” $5 million from the snowmobile trail development and maintenance fund into the general fund over the next several years. What you may not be aware of is that the Governor proposes to sweep $1 million from the trail fund this current fiscal year! This unprecedented sweep, coming less than two years after a previous attempt to take $1 million during the 2008-2009 budget process, must be rejected. As you know, this money comes from snowmobile registration fees and is desperately needed for maintaining and developing the statewide trail system. Trail maintenance is an ongoing process for my club and all of the 239 snowmobile clubs that make up the NYS Snowmobile Association (NYSSA). These clubs take on the responsibility and the financial obligation to maintain the trails throughout the year. Snowmobilers who use the trail system are willing to pay for it but they are not willing to have their registration money taken by the Division of the Budget. This sweep undermines the credibility of the fund, violates a public trust and will devastate our ability to adequately and safely maintain the state trail system and will jeopardize the impact of snowmobiling on the upstate winter economy. Contrary to the Budget staff’s calculation, everyone involved in the trail fund program knows that there are not enough revenues in the trail fund now to meet current trail maintenance obligations. NYSSA is further opposed to the language in Part HH of Budget Bill S6609/A9709 that expands the allowable use of monies in the snowmobile trail fund to include “public safety activities,” and urge that this language be removed from the budget. By allowing snowmobile registration fees to be taken from their intended use and transferred to the general fund under the guise of public safety, while removing any accountability regarding the use of these funds, the proposed budget would result in millions more swept from the snowmobile trail fund in coming years. Snowmobiling is an important component of State tourism creating much-needed jobs and generating vital revenue to many Upstate and Western New York businesses and communities. Many small businesses rely on snowmobiling for their survival through the winter. According to the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, snowmobiling contributes over $1 billion to the state’s economy each year. The snowmobile community looks to your continued commitment to snowmobiling, so vitally-important to the economic wellbeing of many upstate communities, by seeking your help in rescinding this damaging budget sweep of the Snowmobile Trail Fund. Sincerely, Comments (0) The State Is Raiding The Snowmobile Trail Fund, AGAIN - Tony @ 11:05 pm EDT Posted here is a letter for all to copy and send to our represenative. The State of New York is again trying to raid the Snowmobile Trail Fund. ------------------------------------------------------ Date March 1, 2010 Honorable Elizabeth Little NYS Senate LOB 506 Albany, New York 12247 Re: Sweep of Snowmobile Trail Funds by the Governor Dear Senator Little: As an avid snowmobiler and a member of Barnstormers Snowmobile Club, I strongly oppose the Governor’s budget proposal to “sweep” $5 million from the snowmobile trail development and maintenance fund into the general fund over the next several years. What you may not be aware of is that the Governor proposes to sweep $1 million from the trail fund this current fiscal year! This unprecedented sweep, coming less than two years after a previous attempt to take $1 million during the 2008-2009 budget process, must be rejected. As you know, this money comes from snowmobile registration fees and is desperately needed for maintaining and developing the statewide trail system. Trail maintenance is an ongoing process for my club and all of the 239 snowmobile clubs that make up the NYS Snowmobile Association (NYSSA). These clubs take on the responsibility and the financial obligation to maintain the trails throughout the year. Snowmobilers who use the trail system are willing to pay for it but they are not willing to have their registration money taken by the Division of the Budget. This sweep undermines the credibility of the fund, violates a public trust and will devastate our ability to adequately and safely maintain the state trail system and will jeopardize the impact of snowmobiling on the upstate winter economy. Contrary to the Budget staff’s calculation, everyone involved in the trail fund program knows that there are not enough revenues in the trail fund now to meet current trail maintenance obligations. NYSSA is further opposed to the language in Part HH of Budget Bill S6609/A9709 that expands the allowable use of monies in the snowmobile trail fund to include “public safety activities,” and urge that this language be removed from the budget. By allowing snowmobile registration fees to be taken from their intended use and transferred to the general fund under the guise of public safety, while removing any accountability regarding the use of these funds, the proposed budget would result in millions more swept from the snowmobile trail fund in coming years. Snowmobiling is an important component of State tourism creating much-needed jobs and generating vital revenue to many Upstate and Western New York businesses and communities. Many small businesses rely on snowmobiling for their survival through the winter. According to the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, snowmobiling contributes over $1 billion to the state’s economy each year. The snowmobile community looks to your continued commitment to snowmobiling, so vitally-important to the economic wellbeing of many upstate communities, by seeking your help in rescinding this damaging budget sweep of the Snowmobile Trail Fund. Sincerely, Comments (0) Thursday, February 18, 2010 Sponsors - Tony @ 11:00 pm EDT The Barstormers Snowmobile Club have many great sponsors who donate money and goods to help defer the cost to operate and maintain the clubs trail system as well as the equipment. The Kingsbury Barnstormers Snowmobile is gratful for their support. Recently the club has started a new program. Business owners can sponsor a sign, which is displayed on one of our groomers, also their logo is displayed on this site (see bottom of home page) and we are in the process of having a billboard placed on the trail system with their logos on it. For this advertising sponsorship it costs $100.00 plus the cost of the sign, about $35.00 +/-. There is still room for more advertising, if you would like to participate in this sponorship program contact one of our officers(phone numbers are located on home page)for more information. Again the Club wants to thank everyone who donate their money, time and merchandice for the Barnstormers. Comments (0) Friday, January 29, 2010 Barnstormer News Letter - Tony @ 11:57 am EDT Hello Fellow Barnstormers! January 2010 We hope you are enjoying your winter. The riding has been nice. Here is your reminder- please stay on the trails!! We realize this does not apply to everyone, but we still need to put this out there. Every year we have some folks who veer off the trail to hit the open fields. These fields are private property and many of them are our neighbor's livelihood. If it weren't for the landowners who graciously allow us to use their land, we would not have these nice trails. Landowners have threatened to cut us off! This is no joke. We have had some serious conversations with our landowners but have been fortunate so far. This year included. These folks don't receive any money from us and many of them don't even ride; they do this for our enjoyment. The trails are clearly marked out for our use, and we have to stay on them. So let's spread the ward to others out there, and show the landowners how much we appreciate them by respecting their land. Besides staying on the trail, please watch your speed and be aware of your surroundings. There have been a couple of close calls along the roads and parking lots. Another reminder, the ONLY legal crossings of the Canadian Pacific Rail Tracks are those located at New Swamp Rd in Kingsbury, Baldwin's Comer Rd and Clay Hill Rd. Please follow the signs. Using any other track crossings is illegal, as is riding along the CP Rails. Have you registered and insured your sled yet? This helps fund our trails and keeps you legal. Officials have been out monitoring the trails and issuing tickets. Have you checked out our website lately? You can find trail updates and club news. Provide your email address where it says "join our Email list" and Tony will send you periodic updates. Just type in www.kingsburybarnstormers.snowclubs.com Ok, an to the fun stuff We have several events coming up. First is the 2nd Annual Purple Ribbon Cancer Ride sponsored by Progressive Motorsports. It is being held on Saturday January 30, 2010 with a no snow date of Feb 13th Registration is from l0am to 12noon. The ride begins and ends at the Boar's Nest in West Fort Ann. Adults are $25 each and children under 12 are $15 each. The ride will be followed by a Bonfire, dinner, auction, 50/50, and a band. You can find the registrations at area businesses, or contact Donna Brockway at 747-3948 or donnabrockway@yahoo.com There is 150 person limit so-get your tickets early. On February 6, we will be having a pig roast along the trail on Corridor 4, just off of Dubes Rd in Kingsbury. Gary Sprague is graciously donating the pig and his services to the club. We will be eating at 3:00pm. Everyone is invited. Please bring a side dish or dessert to pass and your own beverage. Cups, plates, silverware and napkins will be provided. A no snow date is set for February 20. Watch the website for any changes. Our 13th Annual Bash is going to be at the Boar's Nest on Feb 27, 2010. Doors will open at 4:00pm and dinner will be served from 4:30 to 6:00pm with our live auction starting at 6: 15 sharp. We will have our candy and basket raffies, 50/50 and a silent auction as well. The band starts at 9:00pm. Dinner will consist of a buffet with a soda or coffee. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7.50 for children 12 and under. To purchase tickets, please call Heather Desourdy at 798-2870/791-5106, Laurie Desourdy at 7477496 or Karen Rosick at 796-0699. There will be limited number of dinner tickets available, and the cut off date to purchase them is Feb 20th. You do not need to purchase a dinner ticket to attend our bash. Please come out and support your club. If you would like to help out with our Bash or provide an item for raffle, please contact either Heather or Laurie at the numbers above. . We once again are selling the NYSSA raffle tickets. For every ticket we sell at $5.00, we make $2.50. There are some awesome prizes including snowmobiles and getaways. In hopes that you will help, we have enclosed 3 tickets for you to sell. You can get more tickets from Hank Dashnaw at 584-2245. Please forward the money and ticket stub to a club officer or mail the stubs with a check made out to: Barnstormers, PO Box 121, Hudson Falls, NY 12839. Don't forget to place your receipts from gas purchased for your sleds into the envelope at the Stewarts on Burgoyne Avel Rte 4, the Fort Ann Super Stop, and the Getty on Rte 149/Ridge Rd. Our club receives money for every gallon sold, but we need your receipts. If you forget to drop them off, or get your gas elsewhere, simply get them to Marty Burdick, one of our officers or bring them with you to one of our regular meetings. Every penny counts! Last year we received over $200. For upcoming safety courses in the area, check the NYSSA website at www.nyssnowassoc.org. Remember our meetings are held at 7:30pm on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month at the Kingsbury Firehouse on Kingsbury Rd, off ofRte 4 between Fort Ann and Hudson Falls. You can even ride your sleds there, and we would love to see some new faces! Yours truly, The Board of Directors Comments (0) To All Regarding Questions About "Poker Runs" On Trails - Tony @ 11:37 am EDT If anyone or organization wish to use the Kingsbury Barnstormers Snowmobile Trail System for any organized group run, please read the following. Thank you Since the Kingsbury Barnstormers Snowmobile Club is responsible to acquire permission from landowners to have snowmobile trails in the Kingsbury area and to properly maintain them, the Board of Directors and the President of the club would like to ask any persons or organizations that are planning an event which would include use of the Kingsbury Snowmobile Trail System to please be courteous and contact them as the first step in planning an event. It is not our intention to prevent anyone from having an event that involves using the Kingsbury trail system nor do we wish to be a hindrance in the planning and carrying out of such events. Instead, with prior notice of such events the club would like to be involved and work with the organizers and help in the planning of the routes for such rides. The trail manager and his committee for safety reasons can advise on which trails should or should not be used due to changes in trail conditions as it may be necessary to close particular trails and re-route the ride due to certain conditions. The club trail manager may also find it necessary to make suggestions to the event organizers on avoiding certain areas that may be landowner sensitive. Allowing an alternative route or trail to be used for such ride will help to not jeopardize the clubs relationship with landowners. It is imperative for the club to continue good relations with our landowners in order to keep the trail system open. The trail manager may also have ideas to share on marking out the route of such ride with signs or ribbons to ensure that your ride is enjoyable and successful white maintaining a good relationship between the club, the organizer of the event and the generous landowners that allow us to use their land as part of our trail system. We appreciate your help in keeping the landowners happy & keeping our trail system working. Thank you. Sincerely, Keith Elms, President Kingsbury Barnstormers Snowmobile Club Comments (0) Monday, January 18, 2010 A Must Read for all - Tony @ 11:09 am EDT From: miclirwn [mailto:miclirwn@capital.net] Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2010 7:31 PM To: Dave Perkins; Dave Linendoll; Doug Brownell; Hank Dashnaw; Scott Campbell Subject: trails To All, Please inform all that you can that all trails to the west of the town of Hartford are CLOSED snow or no snow. Due to a couple of illiterate riders on Friday riding in the mud we had a landowner shut us down to us using his land. I have been in contact with landowner and at this time it does not look all that good. He does not want to have any hard feelings toward club members but is tired of people not having respect for what is not theirs. I will have a discussion with them tommorrow after they weigh some suggestions we talked about today.It is important that people start adhering signage that is out there and not just ride with a attitude. Will keep you informed MIKE Comments (0) Sunday, January 17, 2010 Parking Areas Available For Access To Trail System - Tony @ 1:11 am EDT With the permission of some of local business owners, we now have parking lots available on or close to the Kingsbury Barnstormers Snowmobile Club's trail system to park your vehicles & trailers. When parking in these lots stop in to that business for instruction as to where to park. The Parking Lots are as follows: Adirondack Bar & Grill, at the corner of Rte. 149 & Ridge Rd. (Rte. 9L) Hen House Dinner, South of Fort Ann off of Rte.4 Manley's Dinner, Between Fort Ann & Hudson Falls along Rte.4 Paul Collins Trucking, behind the Wayside Bar & Grill off Rte.4 Supper Stop Mini Mart/Gas, West of Fort Ann just off Rte.149 The Office Bar & Grill, just North of the Junction of Dix Ave.& Burgoyne Ave. on the right side of Rte.4 We want to take this opportunity to thank these business owner for giving permission to use their parking lots. Kingsbury Barnstormers Snowmobile Club Comments (0) Trails Are CLOSED! (January 16, 2010) - Tony @ 12:32 am EDT Trails will remain closed till further notice. If and when we get more snow to make snowmobiling safe, the club will reopen the trail system. Thank you for your cooperation. Comments (0)