Grants fro trails....why don't we get any

I think you're wrong about that...I'm pretty sure we do.

The FTA gets money from donations and Columbia Basin Trust through the city of Fernie. Also all the paid work for the Transrockies and Furious 3 goes directly back into trails.

FMBC and FTA have received next to no government funding for trail work. CBT/RDEK has paid for some work done on coal discovery trail and coal creek heritage trail. COF has given support to the dirt jump park and dirt jump jam. Beyond that... nothing!

Other regions are getting buckets of cash for trails.

The difference I see is that the leaders that be in the areas that are getting money (MLA's, MP's, RDEK directors, Mayors etc) support and actively engage in the non motorized trail user society and help find funding and grants available to support their efforts.

here our MLA's, MP's and RDEK directors are more passionate about fighting conservation efforts and opening up more areas for coal bed methane and ATV's then they are about trails.

Having been involved in the non motorized trail communities for a few years I have NEVER seen any interest from our leaders in supporting our efforts. Sad but true.

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Ryland said: "here our MLA's, MP's and RDEK directors are more passionate about fighting conservation efforts and opening up more areas for coal bed methane and ATV's then they are about trails."

By Angela Treharne - The Free Press
Published: October 15, 2011 9:00 AM
Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett made a well received speech on October 6, supporting giving the Flathead Watershed Area Conservation Act a second reading. He told the Legislative Assembly that the act would preserve the environmental values in the Flathead watershed.

He said the act would enable current recreation, forestry, guide outfitting and trapping uses to continue.

He also said the act would prevent future coal projects.

"Specifically, the Flathead Watershed Area Conservation Act will prevent registration of new mineral claims and applications for coal tenures by establishing coal and mineral reserves, prohibit Crown land dispositions for mining purposes, prohibit issuance of Mines Act permits, prohibit issuance of oil and gas activities permits for oil and gas exploration and development, and prohibit the disposition of Crown reserves under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Act," he said.

For the full speech go to www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/39th4th/h11006x.htm

when the designer for the dirt bike park came to town for the three or four day scheduled build, the city would not let him start because they wanted him to have insurance. and they didn't tell him until he was here and already gave a price for his time.

mary g went to bat for him and the mountain bike club. after a hard day, she got alan chabot to carry the designer on the city policy. it didn't cost the city anything.

so ryland, if you want an advocate in city hall for outdoor recreation, vote mary for mayor. and mary g's for the heaven's gate project. cindy is on record (in the free-press) as being against the project.

I distinctly remember that day. Mary, Alan and many others worked hard to make that happen.

Was this the free press article you were talking about - http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/ferniefreepress/sports/13180...

I didn't see any record of anyone being against the project in that coverage. Was there another article?

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[quote=ryland]

The difference I see is that the leaders that be in the areas that are getting money (MLA's, MP's, RDEK directors, Mayors etc) support and actively engage in the non motorized trail user society and help find funding and grants available to support their efforts.

here our MLA's, MP's and RDEK directors are more passionate about fighting conservation efforts and opening up more areas for coal bed methane and ATV's then they are about trails.

Having been involved in the non motorized trail communities for a few years I have NEVER seen any interest from our leaders in supporting our efforts. Sad but true.

[/quote]
Ryland, Why in the second part of your quote do you not mention our "Mayors etc"? but only the politicians that you don't support? To beat the dead horse..if we weren't spending so much time on "visions for the future,", replicating the OCP with the ICSP, outside studies on parking etc. we could concentrate on actually doing something in the here and now, like supporting the FMBC/FTA as actively as they need. What could FMBC/FTA do with $139,000?!?

Ryland, this community is lucky to have the dedicated people involved like you in these organizations and this is what many people are talking about when they say City Hall is out of touch with the real world. Let's stop the nonsense of empire building and let's get involved by directly helping NOW. I don't really understand why someone like you who actually goes out and does things is supporting a continuance of the nonsense that is emanating from City Hall

As to your comment about NEVER seeiing any interest from our leaders..I guess that you need to take that up with the past two mayors, including Randal M. who served 2 terms as mayor and is on the Board of Directors for Wildsight, a person I'm assuming cares about trails. It's obviously not limited to some right wing conspiracy. If we're slinging mud let's make sure we hit everyone involved

it's good to see some open discussion about this topic. There are a lot of rumors out there as to what is being done and where the money is going/coming from. If the post by questions is true, then I think Fernie and it's leaders need to do something about this quickly (get grant money) and not just rely on our talented trail builders and FMBC memberships. I know MTBing brings in a lot of tourist dollars to this town, (i.e Furious 3, Transrockies and weekend warriors) so if city hall and the powers that be are to blame for not helping with funding they need to wake up and start acting now.I agree with alan young's post when he says...quote "Let's stop the nonsense of empire building and let's get involved by directly helping NOW." Fernie has in my opinion the best trail system in the Kootenay's, lets help keep it that way.
I would like to invite any potential new councilor/Mayor to voice there opinion here so we can vote accordingly.

As far as I can see there has been ZERO interest from our local political leaders in this valley! That's why there's not "bucket loads of cash".

The trails that you walk your dog on, ride your bike and run on are , for the most part built with blood, sweat and tears. Volunteers. If the City had any real involvement in non-motorized trails they would have shown more financial support over the last few years, which like Ryland has mentioned has been slim at best. Its clear that mountain biking alone is a huge economic boost to the town in summer. At this point there is no measurable studies done here to point to the benefits. a study needs to happen at a cost that the city should front, then and only then can our short sighted council see the benefits to reinvest in trails for Fernie.

Vote for a non-motorized trails council..... who is that?

To answer Alan's question why I put more blame on non civic leaders it is Because , to the cities defence, that the city does spend money on our trail network within the city boundaries. To the tune of about 30,000/ year I think. This maintains the dike trails, built the centennial trail to riverside, nordic trails, and they have also helped with the cemetery bypass trail and buld old stumpy.

Also, it is The provincial government that is forking out the big bucks for mountain biking in places like rossland, invermere and Squamish. Not municipalities. And in rossland the ckrd that funds their
Trail crew

Im not conspiring about anything as you suggest

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