Vol. 5  Number 1                                                                                                                 January 2007

Happy New Year 2007!

Please make paying your 2007 Trail Association fees (as early as possible) one of your New Year’s resolutions - and keep it!

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 Annual General Meeting Tuesday 28^th November 2006

The President called the meeting to order at 7 PM and thanked everyone for attending.

Secretary’s Report (Norman Wilson)

To save time, the minutes of the previous meeting were not read out their having been printed in the Trail News.

Treasurer’s Report (Norman Wilson – acting treasurer)

An updated financial statement to 31^st December 2006 follows: 

The book balance at the commencement of 2006 was $8,583.93 and this year-to-date the Association has had an income of $11,472.25 giving a total of $20,056.18 available cash for the year.

Expenditure has been $17,406.04 leaving a year-end balance of $2,650.14.

As in 2005, these figures appear large due to the government sponsored Crab Workers Support Program that was completed in January 2006.

The Association’s largest single expenditure during 2006 was to RJG construction for work on the trail during the summer. This amounted to $9,400 of which $8,500 has been paid. 

Although the year-end book balance is shown as $2,650.14, there is an outstanding amount of $900 owing to RJG Construction. Additional income from membership fees and Christmas Draw ticket sales, deposited this year, give an actual current book balance (15^th January) of $3,966.97.

Anyone wishing to receive a financial statement for 2006 is requested to contact Norman on 873-3331 or 2702 or email nwilson@nf.aibn.com .

Registrar’s Report (Yvonne Edwards – acting registrar)

This year the Association received $1,365 in membership fees and has 185 members. For comparison, last year we had 133 members (62 less) who paid a total of $1,300 so the changes to the membership fee structure agreed at the AGM in 2005 has been of benefit. If you remember the aim was to increase membership but not at the detriment of income.

The fees agreed were: $10 for a single member, $15 for a family membership package of two adults living together with their children between 16 and 18 years of age, $5 for supporting members outside the area and, $3 for junior members of 16 to 18 years old.

In November the Association mailed 46 letters to unpaid and potential members. So far this has resulted in 25 additional members paying their 2006 fees.

For information 26 members have already paid their 2007 fees providing $205 in revenue. 

President’s Report (Phonce Cooper)

The President introduced the current Executive of the Association and thanked them for their support throughout 2006. He then went on to give an activity report covering the period: April 2005 to Dec. 2006.

Accomplishments included:

·         Crab Worker Support Program of $58,000 including $15,000 for materials and equipment.

·         Govn’nors Inn donated $500 towards trail signs.

·         Canadian Coast Guard donated a number of “bouy” lights and spares that have now been installed for emergency purposes. Burnt Woods Hill (Green) soon, Tilt Hilt (Red), Rock Ridge (White), Strouds Hill (Yellow) and Shatter Cliff (Blue).

·         About 60% of Burnt Woods trail right-of-way was cut late last fall.

·         River Crossings: 

Retained a professional consultant to recommend and design the bridge structures. This was done free-of-charge; Final design for steel bridge and conceptual design for the dam crossing completed;  Environmental application for the new steel bridge construction submitted and approved;  Steel beams for the new steel bridge were purchased and are awaiting delivery to St. Lawrence by RJG Construction.

·         Highway Crossing:

 $1000 from Molson for Highway Crossing construction received;  Permit was approved, speed signs were moved towards Lawn and DOH installed highway signs warning of the crossing;  $600 worth of fill material was put in place ready for surfacing and railing;  Stop signs were installed.

·         Trail Signage:

About 40 galvanized steel posts with concrete bases were constructed using CWSP;  Purchased 28 standard trail signs incl. ice crossing, stop signs, ATV trail, etc:  Purchased another 7 trail information signs from Brinton’s;  Installed the main sign at the highway crossing;  Installed a number of trail signs on winter trail.

·         Drainage Culverts:

Installed approx. 60 steel and plastic culverts in the trail last fall using CWSP. Culvert size ranged from 4" to 20".

·         Trail Surface & Ditch Repairs:

Most of the trail surface from the highway to the rockpile on Ryans Hill was upgraded through raking and resurfacing. 13 loads of B grade fill were laid on the trail using ATV equipment;  Ditching over the same length was improved significantly.

Summer 2006:

·         Section from the rockpile (Ryans Hill) going north was upgraded and in good shape now;  Trail was extended north on Ryan Hill to the south side of the new bridge location and then from the bridge going north on the other side of Burnt Wood Brook across Creepy and through Burnt Woods for about 1.5 km (300m from Turpin’s Gulch);  Trail joined to the old summer trail.

·         During the CWS program we built an ATV self-dumping trailer for $500. This trailer is normally stored behind the storage shed near the substation. Members are welcome to use this any time to do work on the trail. There are shovels, etc. in the locked shed. (Norman, Karl and Phonce have keys.)

·         New Outhouse

Built standard size outhouse. Stored near Box Heater Pond. No toilet in it. Only for construction use at the moment.

·         Increased our membership in 2006 (186 members) by 53 members versus 2005 at 133 totals.

·         Acquired (donated) a small cabbage patch moose from the Wildlife Dept. in Sept. and recently between Farrell Brothers and Clyde Drake we have had about 250 burgers produced plus there is still enough meat left for perhaps another 150 burgers which Karl Farrell has agreed to make for us.

·         Contacted Wildlife Dept. (Eli Pardy- verbally) and the inspector for trails (Robert May) at DOE and requested that the old summer trail be recognized as our approved trail until the new trail is built.

Plans for 2007

·         Accumulate about 30-40 tonnes of small boulders at the mill site and take to the new bridge site this winter for the new bridge foundation i.e. to fill Gabions.

·         Cut the right-of-way through the rest of Burnt Woods.

·         Put gravel on the trail surface approaching the new bridge.

·         Build the new bridge across Burnt Woods Brook.

·         Construct trail through Burnt Woods all the way to south end of Tilt Hill.

·         Construct the trail and a minor bridge on the pole line behind the hospital to allow east to west traffic.

To be able to accomplish this work, in 2007, a major fundraising campaign must be implemented. It is estimated that about $25-30,000 will be required. We should do nothing else on the trail until that amount of money is raised. This will give us all an incentive to raise the necessary funds and get on with the trail. It is suggested the work be lumped together because, in the case of the bridge, an excavator is needed to prepare for the foundations. Then while the Gabion baskets are been filled (on which to mount the beams) the excavator will need to have work to keep it busy for about 2-3 weeks. By then the bridge foundations would be ready and the excavator could install the beams on its way back home. Bracing and new deck installation could then proceed.

We are not encouraged by the amount of participation we are getting from members when work is required on the trail. This trail will not come to us on its own. Our members must be prepared to put some blood, sweat and tears into it as well as some honest-to-goodness fundraising so materials can be purchased and the excavator rented.

In concluding, I want to thank my past executive members for a job well-done. Your efforts have been very much appreciated and the results are out on our trail. My hope is you will all offer yourselves for nomination again during the Election of Officers in a few minutes.  To our members, I want to thank you for your faith and support in our efforts.

Election of Officers

Eddie Kelly put a motion to the floor that, “If all willing to do so, the existing officers be elected for another term.” This was seconded by Pat Turpin and carried by a show of hands. Both Eddie Kelly and Percy Stacey (Jr.) volunteered to join the Executive and were welcomed by the President.

The following were duly elected to the Executive of the Trail Association for 2007:

President: Phonce Cooper                                            Vice President: Karl Tarrant

Secretary: Norman Wilson                                           Treasurer: Norman Wilson (temporary)

Registrar: Yvonne Edwards (temporary)                                  Fundraiser Chair: Yvonne Edwards

Area Representatives: Daryl Doyle, Keith Farrell, Eddie Kelly, Mike Stacey, Percy Stacey.

A second motion put to the floor was read by Norman Wilson, “That all paid members from 2006 be deemed members for 2007 and receive their membership cards and stickers along with copies of the trail news. Any member not paying their fees by a yet-to-be determined date would be classed as being in arrears and reminded in writing that their fees were due.” This motion was made to counter members waiting until the end of the year to pay their fees then deciding not to pay since there was little remaining of the current year and the new year was fast approaching. Percy Stacey seconded the motion that was carried by a show of hands.

Fee Structure

By a unanimous show of hands it was agreed to retain the 2006 fee structure for 2007. $10 for single membership, $15 for family membership including children living with patent(s) between 16 and 18 years of age, $5 for member outside the area and $3 for a junior member of between 16 and 18 years of age.

Fund Raisers

1500 Christmas Hamper prize draw tickets have been distributed. A yard sale is to be held early in the New Year.

The President gave a special mention to the Slaney family who donated four steel trusses, to be used in construction of the New Steel Bridge, to the Association. He also mentioned Reardon Construction (St. John’s) who donated their share in the cost of the trusses. RJG Construction were thanked in anticipation of their delivering the trusses to St. Lawrence. Bill Collins of BAE-Newplan and Albert Clarke were thanked for their help in finding the trusses and their designing the new bridge and culvert causeway below the Main dam.

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Fundraisers

The Bottle Drive, carried out between the 16^th and 18^th November, raised a total of $666.01 ($268.30 in donations and 331½ dozen bottles worth $397.80). Thanks go to the volunteers who collected and those who donated bottles or cash. Judging by the proportion of Molson ‘empties’ recovered, the company should be happy with its product share in St. Lawrence! (Molson is a big sponsor and supporter of our Trail Association)

A Yard Sale will be held early in the New Year at the Rec. Centre. Please do your spring cleaning early and donate goods to the Association! Phone Yvonne (873-2661). Collection can be arranged where necessary.

Summer Trail

The right-of-way between Turpin’s Gulch and Francois Slaney’s cabin has been marked with ribbon. Anyone willing to cut the right-of-way to about 12 feet (4m) wide can now do so. The Association has a cutting permit.

Christmas Hamper Ticket Prize Draw

The draw was made at CHCM Radio in Marystown on 23^rd December 2006. The prize winners were: First, Maxine Fowler. Second, David Pretty. Third, Brendan Hynes. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all who bought and sold tickets. Total ticket sales raised $1,352.

In addition to those already mentioned in the September / October issue of Trail News, the following companies and individuals are to be thanked for donations towards the 2006 Christmas prize draw:  Evan’s Sales and Service, Peninsula Arctic Cat, Royal Garage, Pardy’s Recreation & Marine, Bren Kir, Dr. Paul Slaney, Farrell Photo, Canada Post, Molson Brewery, RJG Construction Ltd., Em’s Takeout, Yvonne Edwards, St. Lawrence Mineral Products, Lawrencian Ventures Inc. St. Lawrence Pharmacy, Farrell Brothers, Dept. Fisheries & Oceans (Marystown), St. Lawrence Home Hardware, St. Lawrence Foodland, Pike’s Garage, Ocean View Motel, Bugden’s Trucking, Chris Doyle Hairdressing and Aylwards Mini-mart.

We would also like to take the opportunity to thank the St. Lawrence Academy, Town Office and Burin Minerals Ltd. for the use of their photocopiers throughout 2006 enabling us to produce the Trail News letter and other flyers.

Letters/emails received by the Association.

·         Keep up the good work.

Have you got any before and after pictures that I can use to illustrate the proper way to construct and maintain a trail system? They may be useful to other ATV groups.

Thanks, Rob. (Robert May, Land Management Officer, Dept. Environment & Conservation, Gov. NL)

·         Thanks for keeping me on your mailing list. I really enjoy getting the "Trail News" and like being kept up to date with your activities.

Don't forget, if there is any way I can be of assistance, please contact me.

Jack O'Rourke (DFO-MPO, Gov. Ca)

·         Thank you so much for keeping me 'in the loop' with your newsletter. Each and every time I am more impressed with the levels of effort and cooperation that are evident with your association. In particular, it is notable that this effort and cooperation are indicative of the core group that bears the brunt of leadership as in all such associations.

I also have noted that you seem to have yard sales and auctions as fundraisers and I will search out my environs for anything you might be able to sell or auction off in future sales. I'll be in touch.

Please keep the newsletters coming.

Regards/Salutations, Dan (Dan Pike, DFO-MPO, Gov. Ca)

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Lighter Vein

Joke!   

 “Hello, is this the RCMP?”

“Yes. What do you want?”

“I'm calling to report my neighbour, Mike Fitzpatrick! He is hiding marijuana inside his firewood!”

“Thank you very much for the tip, sir.”

The next day, the RCMP officers descended on Mike's house. They searched the shed where the firewood was kept. Using axes, they busted open every piece of wood, but found no marijuana. They swore at Mike, he swore at them, and then they left. Later that same day, the phone rang at Mike's house.......

“Hey, Mike! Did the RCMP come to your house?” “ Yeah!”

“Did they chop your firewood?”  “Yep.”

“Happy Birthday, Buddy!”      (Thanks for the joke Dan!)

The nine letter word produced from the three answers in the grid (OWL, WED, RID), in the September & October issue of Trail News, was WORLDWIDE.