Ironwood, MI.

[Jackal]

Ironwood area groups attempting to evict motorsports

I defense of Sam I believe he was a officer of Gogebic Trail authority who grooms trails in that area. Also, he has supported snowmobiling and has posted numerous posts concerning trail reports and conditions. I have never met him but seems to be a good guy. I like to cross country ski and see skiers and walkers on the trails. I just slow down and wave good to see people out enjoying the area. I don't know maybe this is blown out of proportion? Snowmobiling is vital to this area.

Sam is not an officer with the Gogebic Range Trail Authority. In fact he is not a member, nor is his business a commercial member. http://www.gogebicrangetrailauthority.com/our_members So no support for local snowmobiling there. As a lifelong resident of Ironwood, MI and a member of the Trail Authority, I can tell you that Sam is on the local Parks and Recreation Committee in Ironwood http://www.superiorchronicle.com/ironwood/committees.html and has aligned himself with 2 non-motorized sports groups here in Ironwood. He also stated on this message board that he feels both motorized and non-motorized sports cannot co-exist on the same trail system. He is listed as the first friend of the Miners' Memorial Heritage Park group. Here's the address: http://superiorchronicle.com/mmhp/?page_id=50 I should add that the Ironwood Mayor Bob Burchell (owner of the Classic Motor Inn) and his wife are also listed as friends as well as commissioner Gemma Lamb. This group has been trying to evict motorized sports from the Ironwood caves area to form a non-motorized trail system. These trails will only allow walking, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, X-country skiing, etc(silent sports)...if approved by the city commission. The previous commission voted to allow motorsports on these trails, and the non-motorized group wishes to use the very same trails created by motorsports users for their own guilty pleasure. Sam has also aligned himself with the SISU Ski Race group (x-country skiing) and publicly supported closing this race route to any motorized traffic. Even though the city commission voted to keep snowmobiles off of the non-motorized part of this course, it is the group itself using snowmobiles to pack the snow on the course, yet regular snowmobile users are not allowed to use it? Not sure but it sounds like a communist and selfish way of thinking to me?? Some of this route follows routes used regularly by ATVs and Snowmobiles and is used to access local neighborhoods (Norrie, Aurora, and Jessieville location in Ironwood) and businesses in those areas as well.

 

[Jackal]

Classic Motor Inn

uh, how about the name on the sign in the picture.... Sandpiper Motel????

This IS a photo of the Classic Motor Inn owned by the mayor of Ironwood, formerly known as the Sandpiper Motel.....

 

[Firecatguy]

hahah Thank you I thought I drove by there and seen it said classic motel!

we were definitely not welcome at that hotel!! funny thing is we never said anything-just moved on and now7 years later the truth comes out!!!!now I don't know any thing about Sam or HIS hotel I can say for sure that with out a doubt WE ARE NOT WELCOME NOR WANTED AT THE CLASSIC...

everytime I drive by ther I look at there white suburban and think how it is A shame they are still there..

also If I remember right they had jusp purchesed or got the place from family and had just moved back to the area in 02.......

 

[G]

After following this thread I will observe this : I wish we had businessmen like Sam and his group making policy in our small town. Rules like no snowmobiles from 1 AM to 6 AM - how can anyone have a problem with that? Stay on the trails or we will lose the easement - how can anyone have a problem with that? The powers that be in Ironwood seem to understand the importance of snowmobiles to their economy and are just setting up some very understandable and reasonable guidelines. It also seems like they would like to expand their economy to include some non-motorized sports. Good for them. There are certainly enough square miles to accomodate both. Where we ride in Wisc there is a big ski resort called Telemark. They groom an extensive course that occasionally crosses designated snowmobile trails. We don't ride on their trail and they don't ski down sled trails. Very simple. Mutual respect. Co-existence. Get used to it. It is the future. We were young once too and made a lot of noise and thought the world revolved around us. Back then we rented cabins out in the woods so we wouldn't bother anyone else. That works too. As for FRNASH - I wish you were my girl's English teacher.

 

[Jackal]

Coexisting Sports

I have no problem with non-motorized and motorized sports coexisting. In fact I bike, jog, and snowshoe myself... What I do have a problem with is shutting down our existing multi-use motorsports trails and turning them into non-motorized trails...that is not coexistence and a blatant attack on the motorsports crowd.

 

[m8man]

coexisting is the way of the future maybe both groups could help each other some way.. it is not good to exclude motorized units from where they've been able to go and just let one type through (nonmotorized) or vice versa...One thing is true if you change what people are use to doing they may not come back but that is our choice...I will admit I've been up late and sledding late...If someone told me not to come back I'd have a major beef with that and make sure not to spend money there and let people know how I was treated...Now there is a major diff between calmly coming back to the room and rippin up the parking lot and hootin and yellin...Night and day in my book...I also hate being woken up in the middle of the night by someone else...But it can be fun with a bunch of buddies up late too.. We have a choice to stay and spend where we want and motel owners/managers have the right to have a clear set of rules..It would be my job to know the rules B4 I stay somewhere and if I break them I pay the price...

We all know the U.P. and most areas benefit from sledding (economically)...A little patience goes a long way on both sides...

Over & Out

m8man

 

[Firecatguy]

nicely put m8man

I could not agree more A little respect can go A long ways..with that said-- I feel so strongly about how we were treated at Classic motel as we are A very respectful crew.The day in question for us I can say that we even stopped in Bessemer to talk about how late it was and how we needed to keep the noise down, we parked our sleds out back of the place that night....Then asked not to come back the next day???not good..

6 or 7 years ago and I remember it like yesterday....but I cant tell you were we stayed last year in DEC...LOL

 

[Jackal]

Ironwood Parks and Recreation Meeting tomorrow

Parks and Recreation committee meeting tomorrow in Ironwood at 6pm in the Memorial Building headed by Sam Davey... Trail issues are pretty much the main topic of the topics being discussed... Non-motorized vs. Motorized... Let's see what Sam's stance is at this meeting... he is the head of the committee...hmmm?

 

[02zr600]

jackal, please let us know how this meeting turns out. we have a group of snowmobilers that come up to the ironwood area from nw iowa every year. we spend between $9000-10000 dollars in that area each trip and would like to know if we need to take our business elsewhere. in fact, we gased up in ironwood just last week a couple of times and had four cars drive by honking and giving us the finger. all we were doing was pumping gas. this is not good and needs to be resolved. maybe they don't want us snowmobilers spending any money once so ever in that town? any and all please keep us updated on this issue. Thanks in advance!

 

[m8man]

02zr600,

You're welcome to come to the Keweenaw!!

m8man

 

[polaris62]

02zr600,

You're welcome to come to the Keweenaw!!

m8man

That is what i would do. Drive a little farther to anywhere in the Keweenaw. The people there are super friendly and realize the importance of the money that sledders bring to the area. I stay in Hancock (Best Western) once again awesome people. Also a heated sled garage, NICE. My son is going to Tech in Houghton so I have spent a good deal of time in the area. m8man is right make the trip and you will not regret it. I was a diehard Hurley guy, many trips there. However after a trip to the Keweenaw I don't plan on going back to Hurley anytime soon. P.S. also always better snow!

 

[Jackal]

Ironwood

Don't let a few bad apples in this area scare you off...The majority of businesses in Ironwood and it's surrounding towns will cater to you all day long and do appreciate your business. The other area towns (Hurley, Bessemer, Wakefield, Marenisco, townships, etc.) have opened up more roads and routes than ever before for access to rental units and businesses. Pretty much all of the county roads in the Michigan townships are open for riding on the shoulder, except for main highways in Gogebic County. The cities of Bessemer and Wakefield have opened up most of the city streets with a speed limit imposed. The main trail (#2) still goes through Ironwood and all of the trails seem to be in great shape right now... The local club and motorized groups are working to get a couple more relief trails through Ironwood, for those who wish to take a longer and possibly more scenic route around the middle of the city. These trails are already in existence, but used mostly by locals or those who have bought winter vacation housing in neighborhoods such as Norrie, Jessieville, and Aurora. They are also used to access local businesses that are not directly on the main trail. As far as the latest meeting is concerned, it seems that Mr. Davey has decided to work with the local club for now and go out onto the trails and decide where trails should go, and what should be motorized or non-motorized. It will ultimately be up to the Ironwood City Commission to decide on the trails, so I'm sure this issue is not done yet as I'm sure much will be talked about out of the public's eye. I promise I will continue to be a watchdog on this issue and keep updates posted as more information becomes available. Feel free to call the City of Ironwood Manager at (906) 932-5050 ext. 116 and respectably tell him how much you enjoy snowmobiling in this area and wish to see more trails developed. If we get more people involved, we can make for a better riding experience.

 

[hegewisch]

We have been in the Gogebic Range area since Thursday. Will leave Tuesday morning. We have a house outside Wakefield. Our friends in Ironwood all agree that Davey and others are not friendly sled people. In fact at dinner Saturday night in Hurley at the Bell as soon as his name was mentioned several commented. This is sad. However, there is time for redemption. Let Big Snow Country be a place for snowmobilers, skiiers, hunters, fishermen etc. Let everyone come up and help the economy. And, if you want a real friendly sled place try the Gogebic Lodge. It was lively tonight for dinner. And, yes other areas outside of Ironwood are friendly to sleds. Want to see a difference in local attitude ? Look at:
www.yourdailyglobe.com VS. www.superiorchronicle.com Notice the "Attitude" in the Chronicle. Even against the recent SISU Ski Fest.

 

[Firecatguy]

How sad!!!!
we need to get the word out on these people and then when their livelihood is messed with maybe they will rethink their position on this!!!!so sad they think this way in a snowmobile friendly town,,

I will say it again--we did not feel welcome at all at the sandpipper inn and it was the last time we stayed in the town of Hurley--20 to 30 guys that will never return because of them...

 

[Jackal]

Ironwood

Like I said, there are a few bad apples who are trying to run the sport out of town, but for the most part our area businesses embrace motorsports enthusiasts and it is YOUR money that helps them survive. For those who do not support motorsports, I guess our money and business is not necessary, so I do my part to stay away from them. Also I do not spend a cent at any of the Citgo gas stations (owned by Krist Oil), as they have proven time and time again that during the peak tourist seasons they raise prices on gas and expect everyone else to follow, which most of the little guys are forced to do. They also do not contribute a cent to the local area, but send all of their profit back to their home area.

 

[rinkerman]

We just got back from Ironwood yesterday. Stayed at the Americinn. Had a great time. We were advised to be very careful riding thru town & make sure we make complete stops as there had an officer on a sled passing out lots of tickets. Only saw him once.

 

[Jackal]

Ironwood trails

Looks like the posts on here may be helping... The Parks and Recreation Committee in Ironwood is open to allowing a new trail through Ironwood. Though there are 2 routes that the motorized sports crowd wants (one relief trail & one route to access other local businesses), the PRC only wants to allow one and still wants the rest for their own guilty pleasure of silent sports. Will keep everyone updated as more info becomes available.

 

[hegewisch]

We have a house in Wakefield and just bought one in Ironwood so, it will be a 2nd home. Will be back up for February 11-14. I will do what I can to keep sledding totally supportive there.

 

[arcticgeorge]

Thanks for the info...i am looking to buy a cheap home in Ironwood and i am always looking for more details about everything.

 

[hegewisch]

From The "Superior Chronicle" -02-10-10 (Edited Due To Length)
____________________________________

IRONWOOD, MI - Wednesday, February 3, 2010 - The Ironwood Parks & Recreation Committee (IPRC) faced with an ambitious 17 item agenda Monday night,
Prior to the meeting a discussion took place regarding the grand opening of the Cemetery Trail. Sam Davey told the gathering that the snowshoeing event was a huge success. He said between 120 and 150 people attended and between 30 and 50 people had never snowshoed before.
6. Discuss motorized and non-motorized recreational uses in the City of Ironwood - Sam Davey presented the Committee with a list of recommendations he's proposing to give to the City Commission. He said he didn't have time to create a map or to tweak the list due to a family medical emergency. His list is as follows:
Set up a motorized trail through the caves area that will connect on both ends of town.
Motorized trail must have a group that will take responsibility for the trail, maintain it, place signage, pay insurance, etc. if needed.
Open streets so residents can get to Trail 2 or Business Trail 2 by most direct route.
Set up rules for streets with penalties for not following rules.
Snowmobiles and ATV's will follow all State rules governing their operation along with whatever rules the City of Ironwood sets.
Work with regional groups on regional trail plan.
John Wyssling asked if the trail through the caves would be a groomed or none groomed trail. Sam Davey told Wyssling that both kinds of trails would be there. The groomed trail - dubbed "Business 2A" by Davey -- would go past Rigoni's, the Aurora Club, Manny's, and Auvinen's. Davey said if the park goes in, the trail is essentially the same trail that currently exists, except the actual physical boundaries have not yet been defined. He showed the Committee a map he prepared, but a copy was not made available to the Chronicle.
Davey's map showed approximations of the trail system as he envisions it. He also plotted out a permanent SISU trail as he would like to see it.
Ross Kolesar suggested that the SISU Skifest be moved out to Wolverine, partly because it's non-profit. He suggested that the trail cut back over to the SOO Line and then onto the trails in town finishing off at the Ironwood Depot.
"Then all you would have to cross is the highway." Kolesar suggested, "And, what, Country Club Road?"
Wyssling asked Kolesar what he meant.
"For your SISU SkiFest... Instead of coming by Norrie Park and closing off all the downtown like you did, start out where it's non-profit out at Wolverine and have them cut some trails. It ain't that far to cut back over to the highway and cross the highway..." Kolesar began.
"How are you going to cross the highway?" Davey interrupted.
"You gotta figure something out!" Kolesar continued, "That's up to you, Sam, this is just food for thought! And you guys want that SOO Line that's abandoned... and run the SOO Line and finish up at the Depot! Then you wouldn't block off the other downtown!"
Kolesar said the idea originated from people who were not happy with the way the City streets were cut off during the SISU race.
Then a discussion ensued about which trail would be best for local businesses. Wyssling said the entire idea regarding the trail was to positively affect as many businesses as possible. He argued that an alternately proposed route would eliminate most of the businesses that could be positively affected.

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