Hiring a recreational trail coordinator for Tug Hill Lewis County

[tkmoto]

During a meeting Tuesday night in Lewis County meeting, lawmakers voted to hire a full time recreational trail coordinator.

The board wanted to develop a county-wide, multi-modal trail system, and a master plan for all recreational development.

The person hired will establish a system, maintain and develop it, and supervise all personnel.

The pay was the only question.

A motion was made to lower the salary, but it was denied.

The job pays $40,000 a year.

"We really, really need someone to go forward with this in the county. It's a huge industry. A lot of people are misinformed when they think it doesn't mean much to the whole tax base because it's huge," said Lewis County legislator Richard Lucas.

The job will be listed as soon as possible.   


     

 
March 22 - 2006.

[chris]

Is there a possibliity that they will hire part time help to fullfill this requirement?  I have a full time job but am willing to do my part.  I live about 80 miles south of Watertown towards Utica and am up on tug hill on average 2 to 3 times a month.  I am willing to participate and provide some insight on how to improve and educate the local community on how important this recreation activity is to Lewis County.

From an outsider looking in, and as you have all seen global warming is having a major affecton the snowmobile industry.  Upstate NY heavily relies on this industry and the winters keep getting shorter and accumulate less snowfall.  The Lewis County officials should realize that this has a negative affect on there tax revenue.  As far as I am concerned Snowmobiles will always be big business in Lewis County, but looking forward, if ATV revenue is not already greater than sleds it is pretty close and has the potential to move way behond.

Chris

[tkmoto]

Chris :
Lewis county just approved this position , Jefferson county has been looking for a recreational trail coordinator for the past 5 years , if you have the education and experiance , then by all means fill the application.

Just because they approved this new position , doesnt mean the trails or roads will be open , if you ask me , I think this will just delay everything , now we will have to wait on them to build a trail system that can be connected by all the county roads and we all know how long that takes and when it will be approved to even take place ......dont hold your breath. The bottom line here is , they dont want us on the roads but dont want to lose the money we make for them so they want to build a trail system that will keep us happy , I think it will be small and spread out but anything beats having the whole hill closed to us.

[chris]

Tom,  Thanks for the info.  You have a good point, the addition of a coordinator would probably slow things down but would be a key individual to support the ATV community.  I hate to say this but maybe Lewis County needs a year with no ATV's to see the positive impact we have.  Lets think about it.

No ATV tax revenue = higher property taxes, a possibility of higher sales tax, fewer jobs, loss of jobs and closing of businesses.

I am not a politician but the role of county officials is to leverage growth through the community and it's attributes, maintain economic stability while enhancing growth and doing the right thing for the community. Tug Hill is in the middle of know where and has little impact on the community in terms of noice, polution, etc. It is the ideal place for ATV's and there is no doubt about it.  I think the county officials need to go to business school and take a few classes in economics.

As far as applying for the job, it sounds like a lot of fun but unfortunatly not in my career path.  However I am interested in helping whoever I can through research, creating presentations etc.  Like mentioned before I am up on the hill all the time and if I can do anything to help that would be great.

Chris