‘It’s a shame that so many groups are spreading so much false information’
To the Expositor:
I read with great interest the article written by Alicia McCutcheon and the rebuttal by Brad Middleton regarding the snowdusters trail situation on Manitoulin Island. Having many family members and friends on the Island it is a shame that the there are so many groups spreading so much false information about Bill 100.
My family have been landowners on the Island for three generations, with a snowmobile trail running alongside one of them and never had an issue with the trail or the users using it trespassing or damage of any kind. I even help keep this small part of the trail clear by removing any deadfalls and keeping it trimmed wide enough to groom.
I have snowmobiled on the Island a few times in the last few years and enjoyed every trip I have done. Riding the trail gives a different view of the Island than by automobile, boat, even walking. The landowners graciously give the Snowdusters use of their land to allow snowmobilers a fantastic view of the Island not able to be seen by others.
I have been an avid snowmobiler since 1989 and actively involved in the OFSC District 12, which includes the Island, and can assure the landowners that the Snowdusters want no part of an easement across your property or any other way to take control of private property.
Building trails is expensive and every time one has to be changed it cuts into monies that can be spent on replacing a bridge or even brushing a trail. Little known fact, to mechanically brush a trail the club is looking at costs of $1,000/km—that’s a lot of money to just keep a trail open let alone build a new one, not to mention the countless hours each volunteer spends on the trail using his or her snowmobile/ATV/chainsaw which he or she does not get paid for, they may get some gas money back, but the time spent is free.
If any landowner would like personal confirmation I would be happy to speak with them along with a member of the Snowdusters and the District 12 governor for the OFSC if he or she requests.
Kevin Campbell
Snowmobiler/Volunteer District 12/Landowner
Sudbury
