The next meeting will be held at 2pm on Sunday, June 7th, in the Jr. Fair Building at the Van Wert Fairgrounds. The meeting will be lead by Shawne Collins. The discussion will probably center on the organization of a local riding club, as well as further discussion on possible areas that can be converted into public riding trails. I talked with Shawne a couple of a days ago, and it sounds like he's already obtained commitment from one land owner that owns a 3 or 4 mile stretch of railroad bed. Come one, come all...

Life is good! especially when you can report positive news. Last month I wrote about Van Wert riders working to get riding opportunities in their area.

 A follow up meeting was held May 9^th in Van Wert City Council Chambers. Nancy Bowen OSU Extension Development Director hosted the meeting. Over 25 off-pavement vehicle enthusiasts from motorcycle, quad and full size 4x4 attended. City Councilmen Gary Corcoran and Stan Agler, City Law Director Greg Unterbrink, and Deputy Sergeant Brad Wisener from the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department attended the meeting. Council members, the Economic developer, OMTA, citizens and the sheriff’s office proved the need and will. We now have a proposal and direction to make Van Wert a hub for OHM, ATV and 4x4 recreation.

In 3 months we have moved from a total motorized ban to a public, private trail system partnership!  The June meeting will have proposed maps, legal work accomplished and a time frame for implementation.  Economic benefit, political activity, opportunity for riders and riders standing up to take responsibility all came together for everyone’s benefit. John Marshal Van Wert city council, Matthew T Mesarchik ATV chair and local riders have been key to the effort.

You may ask why OMTA and the riders’ success (so far) in Van Wert is so amazing? Ohio’s legislation to raise the “ORV tag” fee should be thru and passed by the time you read this. This legislation is the key to expanded opportunities in Ohio. We have been working and fighting for it for over four years!

Four years ago the “new” Wayne forest plan was in the economic hearing stage. All the commissioners from Eastern Ohio asked the same question. How can the vacant land owned by the Wayne and power companies be used for trail systems? They were all aware of the “economic impact” the trails provide in other areas. The increase in fees will provide seed money for “political sub divisions”, “Government Agencies” and 501 c3 organizations (can you say OMTA?) to put in more trails.

Registration is your license tag. The next step is to allow street legal vehicles to purchase off pavement registrations. Current law does not allow “dual” registration. The Wayne National Forest has promised that the 400 acre “borrow pit” now used for St Rte 33 construction will be for full sized vehicles. Dual registration will allow folks to “pay their own way”. There is no motorized welfare.

On the court room legal front OMTA has been involved in a 3 year court case to make Ohio riders’ voice heard in court. As it stands now our primary destination trail system is Ohio’s X roads. Under current Ohio law all the commissioners have to do is nothing for roads to be vacated and we have no voice. We are at the point of going to the Ohio Supreme Court. Did I mention we accept donations for the legal fund? We are also considering legislation. Legislation that brings jobs and economic opportunity took over four years. How long will it take to get our rights back?

The future of off pavement recreation is up to you! Be involved, get your friends involved too or we all lose. OMTA is an all volunteer organization. You can join OMTA online at www.ohiotrails.org