In their letter they stated that I asked them to leave snow on the shoulders and some roads for the sake of snowmobilers. And that safety is not an issue. In fact what I asked for if there was some happy medium on some key access roads. You can hear it yourself several times on the videotape. I also asked about the plowing of a section of Grass Lake Road that is designated and marked on snowmobile maps as trail #6.

In my first meeting at the road commission, I waited patiently for public comment, with a video camera on the desk in front of me. Just before they asked for public comment, Michael Van Wormer asked if there was any comment from any of the other board members. George Pappas said that they had received many comments from angry snowmobilers, saying they are doing too good of a job. Then they all LAUGHED. Next he spoke of his being removed as Chairman of the Road Commission, stating he thought he had more time. When they asked for public comments I spoke out. I stated I had some concerns regarding the plowing of the shoulders of key access roads to the trails and some actual sections of the snowmobile trails.

They made it clear to me that snowmobiles only belong on the unplowed portion of the roadway. If they take their plows from shoulder to shoulder, many roads have no unplowed portion for snowmobiles to legally travel upon. In the remainder of the roads, they plow the shoulders down to dirt. They do this at such a speed that the dirt (mixed with salt) is pushed well beyond the shoulder, into the ditch that snowmobiles are allowed to travel upon. This dirt/salt mix causes the snow in the shoulders to build up heat and melt much more rapidly whenever the sun peaks out.

They instructed me to call Gloria Burns, and give her roads and areas that are creating a problem with snowmobilers. Like many other members of this community, I had called prior to this meeting. Those conversations resulted in comments from them like "we will be sued", or "safety dictates our policy".

Michael Van Wormer directed me to David Carrick, the supervisor of the road commission, with respect to the section of the snowmobile trail traveling along Grass Lake Rd. He stated they WERE plowing it and sanding it for Muskegon Development, the Oil Company operating out there. He knew of the road from memory, and was aware that there is not an unplowed portion left for snowmobiles to travel upon, a 1-2 mile section, due to the steep banks along the majority of that section of road. He was also aware that it was on the snowmobile trail maps and marked according to DNR specifications. Several times in this conversation, Gloria Burns interrupted us.

Another section of trail #6, uses Canoe Camp Rd for about 75 yards, then the overpass over US-127. About 200 yards beyond this overpass, it turns to dirt, Canoe Camp becomes a seasonal Rd. There are no houses on that small section of road. They are plowing, salting and sanding this Road from Old 27. Seems it would be better and cheaper for taxpayers, to move the seasonal Rd sign to the edge of this intersection. Maybe this is not possible due to the overpass. Plowing, salting it and sanding it hinders snowmobiling along a DNR DESIGNATED trail.

Gloria Burns and Michael Vanwormer called me and arranged a second meeting. The very first thing I said the to them was "I would like to start over, however we can do that." In that meeting I again expressed my concerns. They seemed receptive. This is where they have distorted the truth. They asked me for specific roads that I had issues with. I said I didn’t know any specific roads other than Owens, the best thing would be to ask their drivers. They see the traffic, could report back to them. They said they would do that and then come up with a plan. Then they also said they could call neighboring counties and see what was working best for them. Since they did not mention either in their article, it leads me to believe that they did not follow up on those two items. As for leading people to believe I asked for not plowing the shoulders of all the county roads. That is a BOLD LIE….period.

They are plowing, salting and sanding almost every road end on this lake. They site safety as the reason for that as well. The are not allowed to take emergency vehicles of any kind onto the lake. Most road ends are blocked by large ice jams, which prevent any emergency vehicle including the snowmobile and sled they use when recovering injured persons from the lake. I seasons of heavy snow they push large piles of snow onto th road ends, making access to the lake nearly impossible. If it is in the interest of safety, then why not clear the ice jams when they crawl onto the road ends?

As far as the trail along Owens Road, they did say they would be in favor of that. Have I researched it? No I haven’t. Why Not? In several subsequent telephone conversations with Gloria Burns she told myself and others that Owens Road is not an option, and that they were relocating the snowmobile trailhead parking lot South of Emery Road in the very near future. If that decision has not been made at this time, she has NO business making that comment. That hinders snowmobilers.

As far as ORV support? I asked Michael Vanwormer about the possibility of Roscommon County opening up it roads for ORV access. As Ogemaw County has recently made that change. They can’t get any closer to town than the parking lot on Waco Road, just West of M-18. There is not a single gas station or restaurant in this county accessible for ORV’s. He stated the new attorney general is looking into that, he believes it will be overturned, as those counties did not have the authority to make that decision. That I did research with the Cycle Conservation Club. The state attorney general has no authority over county roads. They have turned that over to the municipalities. In this county that suggests M-55. M-18 etc.

Now how many of you residents have called in to the Road Commission and complained about them rolling up the sod in your yard? I have, along with many other’s that I know. We have all been met with the same answer. "The county owns 33 feet from the center of the road." Is that a new way to say we are sorry? Many homeowners in this community take pride in their homes. That includes taking care of the stretch of property along the road in front of their house. When was the last time you got grass to grow easily with the PH of the soil so far out of wack from all of the salt? Does the county legally own it? Yes they do. Is it necessary? Ask yourself.

I have watched the county trucks make no less than two, but usually three passes down my street. Then they spend 3-5 minutes on the road end. They will do this sometimes two-three times a day when it’s snowing. Some days when it’s not even snowing. How many extra scraping blades for those trucks are we buying? I moved here from down state, in a much wealthier county. We couldn’t afford this kind of road care there. Can we here? Michigan as a whole is in trouble. Can the state afford this kind of road care in a community of 22k people?

As far as this area growing and flourishing? How many new jobs were created in this county that gave a single parent sufficient income to support a family and provide them with health benefits last year? Let’s see some job growth statistics. Look at the help wanted section of this newspaper. I bet not many. Wait till you see their benefits and salaries. They say they are not trying to hurt our businesses. If you own a business that relies on tourism, or gets a boost from it, ask your customers. I have asked mine. In fact I didn’t even need to ask, they say to me "what’s up with they people?" I have groups of snowmobilers that come to my resort. They bring their wives and children. While the men are out riding, the women are out shopping. So if you think your business doesn’t benefit from snomobilers, think carefully. Same with ORV riders. We are in a service-related community and they are messing it up, period.

Their article is politically correct when citing safety as justification for their actions. Stating that I told them not to worry they are insured. I think not. Is their such a thing as too much safety? Can it be used as an excuse? How much is all of this safety costing taxpayers? And just last week the Michigan State Police were heard on the scanner requesting Road Commission Trucks on the expressway, due to a significant number of accidents. They were having difficulty reaching the supervisor.

Safety is everybody’s concern, including myself. I have a 7-year daughter old riding the bus to school. She used to be picked up out in front of our home. Now, due to school cutbacks, the school busses are stopping on M-55 and picking up our children. There is no shoulder for the bus to stop along. Is this safer? Definitely not! Is it more cost effective? Definitely so! Which one can we afford?

I believe over the years they have created a very large business, the RCRC. They are open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. And they need customers. Just look at that building east of town. It costs lots of money and "Safety" is their tool to get it.

Lastly I would like to know what educational background these people have that qualifies them for these positions. Gloria Burns, the Manager. David Carrick, the supervisor. Michael Van Wormer the chairman. George Pappas and Larry Paxton, members of the board. I would expect to see some civil engineering credentials, business management and risk management. These decisions are hopefully made based on education and science, and not "That’s we way we have always done it."

Art Jensen