Pigeon River & Beyond - Back Country Horsemen, Michigan

I would like to report that Grass Roots efforts do work. Recently our Township board made resolutions that the Supervisor, Treasure and Clerk to receive a 4% raise each.  In this economic climate it is an insult to our citizens when people are losing jobs and their homes. In our township it then has to be approved by the voters at the annual meeting. Lets just say the township officials don't really want many people to show up, the vote is by show off hands at this meeting.  Through grass roots efforts we sent letters to the editors of 4 different papers.  Signs were made and put up at various locations about the township, urging voters to vote NO and the time and date.  To make a long story short we Packed the Hall and it overflowed outside with voters and we sucessfull stomped the raise. We got the attention of the voters who wouldn't have known about the vote ...and they showed up.

This is what we have to do, to regain and preserve for our trails , is to get the word out to people and write letters to the papers, and represetatives.  If the sqeaky wheel makes enough noise eventurally someone is going to grease it.  It may take you outside your comfort zone to start being an activist , but when you do, you will feel pride in what you have accomplished. 

That is encouraging. I pray we can get on the right track and get real squeaky.

YAY!! Three Cheers and a hip-hip-hooray for grass roots and getting the masses aware of the what the few will try to do.

Attention!  The March 11th CIS meeting that is listed for tonight is just a board meeting.  The others that are listed for the 23-24-25 are the ones to attend to voice your opinions and show support. Thank you...........

I think we have made great strides already and we are just getting started, keep the faith and we shall suceed!!!!

Mike is dead on. Elected officials respond to large groups. You have to understand that the number one thing elected officials want is to remain an "elected official".They generally don't like to take positions that will get them "unelected'.The key is for everyone to get "involved" I have served on my city council  a dozen plus years. If we have 2 people show up at our meetings (pop. 900) its rare. People will gripe to be heck at the coffee shop, but won't take an hour to show up at a meeting and be heard. In fairmess to elected officials their decisions are only as good as the facts presented to them. You can't expect them to side with you on an issue if they are not even aware your issue exsist. It is the responsibility and duty of everyone involved in this effort to write their elected officials continuosly.(in the age of the internet it doesn't take much time or effort.)Just my 2 cents but I feel there should be representatives fom the group at every Natural Resources Commission Meeting.Stating the groups position and asking if any progress is being made on making more areas acsessable to riding.Also people should be present at a Pigeon River Advisery board meetings.

These comments here are right on the mark! 

Not sure if either of you are on facebook yet...but I have put a page up there to network.  Please join the group and leave you input.  I could also cross post this info if it's alright.

This link will take you there...

Back Counrty Horsemen Pigeon River & Beyond, MI

Thanks,