WSSA Votes for Registration Fee Increase

[rmkboxer]

sounds like some of you just need to get rid of your sleds because anybody who thinks 33.50 is going to get the roads plowed and roads groomed for more then 2 miles is living in there own little world. I pay $30 to ride in Idaho for a week and will pay the increased amount here. I have 4 sleds and the extra $120 is well spent. I feel that Dan and the other people who are putting this through would not let this happen if the money was going to other places. I have been to a couple of groomers meetings when the money was short and they had to stop plowing at greenwater. I asked why they can't raise the tabs and was told because of the unstable WA government. We have alot of people standing behind us that go to bat for us and take there personal time to make our sport what it is and I thank them to the uninformed you need to pull your head out of your a$$es and come to the realization that $33.50 doesn't get you squat for labor, and fuel. hell it costs me almost $150 to fill my truck. If you can't afford it get a new hobby

 

[mdmead]

OK, let me start by saying I haven't been able to read the last few posts as I've reached my reading limit without upgrading to a paid membership. (Sorry, I'm not a regular on this forum and that ain't gonna happen.) If you need to reach me directly, find my e-mail on the WSSA website.

Here is the latest WSSA posted on Facebook today:
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Through this controversy over the vote to seek a significant registration increase, one thing is clear: The majority of riders commenting agree more funds are needed for our dedicated program to improve grooming and plowing. It is also clear the majority of those commenting, not to mention snowmobilers we have heard from outside of this post, are against this plan we voted on. We hear you. Here is a message your WSSA Vice President asked to be posted:

To: WSSA Board, all the clubs, all those connected to snowmobiling in Washington

Thank you everyone for the input I have received since Saturday 3/10/2012 concerning the WSSA vote to propose a $40 raise in our registration fee for our snowmobiles. It is clear that it has backfired! So, what now? Where do we go from here? It is time for everyone to take a deep breath, calm down, slow down, and focus on these facts that are true for sure. We are all snowmobilers or connected to the snowmobile industry in some way or another. We all need to be on the same page, especially right now! We need to solve our own problems in the spirit of cooperation! I want to see snowmobiling, groomed trails, sno-parks and happy faces in Washington. I want WSSA to continue to be the voice of the snowmobilers. So WSSA needs to hear from the SNOMOBILIERS what is best and acceptable to them today. Then WSSA can make proposals that are the voice of the snowmobilers. So, together, let’s negotiate an acceptable dollar amount that WSSA can propose to the State that is fair and best represents the voice of the snowmobilers.

Please be patient with us as Ronna Younie (WSSA President) and myself will be in Washington DC starting Thursday 3/15 (through the weekend), talking to legislatures about snowmobiling in Washington.

Respectfully submitted,

Dean Meakin
WSSA Vice President

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What is important to note is regardless of what an individual might feel is an acceptable fee increase, the snowmobile budget has specific needs. This may mean what an individual feels is reasonable won't be enough. While WSSA wants input from everyone, our goal is to keep our program sustainable. Obviously some people won't be happy with our decision. Our goal now is to minimize those feelings.

Futhermore, it is critcal people understand the program. We will post a link to a presentation made by State Parks at the recent Winter Rendezvous that addresses this. Some may argue the numbers, but they are reasonably close and wll certainly be an eye-opener for some.

 

[sunbather1969]

i have no problem spending its the

I strongly support the increase.

I think that those of you on here that dont support the increase would if you truly knew how the process worked.

All this government name calling, saying its a tax, saying you don't ride groomed trails, and making allegations are all signs of your lack of knowledge for the sport.
Its a pay to play sport.

The sport is slowly getting smaller and we need to raise the fees or decrease the program.

We have currently decreased the program by cutting it across the board. Eventually that is not going to work and the next step is that we close snow parks altogether. One by one until we have enough that we can afford.

This increase is a preventive way to keep from loosing the program. This fuel tax is just not going to be enough and snowpark permits too. Those two ways are great ways to generate revenue but the fact is they wont even dent the budget. Not to mention time.
The fuel tax took 9 years (+legislation) to get 4 cents. We are "entitled" to 14 more cents. We have spent at least 5 years trying to get that. If we keep wasting time the program will be long gone.
I like where I ride and would hate to not be able to ride there because I wasn't willing to pay $40 a year.

how its spent thing that pisses me off. and thanks for the red azzhat

 

[fassteddie]

i will pay my share as it should be. BUT IF WE EVER HEAR THAT THEY WANT TO SWEEP OUR FUNDS AGIN, NO MORE PAY....................... also remember the temp fee on the discover pass that is now permenant but transferable. think before you vote in november!

 

[Loudisfast]

is the Montana powder in your garage?

Oh man, you would have to ride the sled to enjoy the powder, unless the powder your talking about is the dust powder from sitting in the garage. If you can get that thing from the driveway to the trailer without breaking down it would be a miracle. Don't bother buying tabs you never get to ride. you should put a turbo on your bicycle and ride that you would get farther.

I spoke up a little harsh and got crusified 6 months ago on my opinion if you can afford the new sled you can afford to pay more for tabs.Use a sliding scale for tabs by year I dont know very many peeps that can afford to pay more now.But I see it this way there is alot of older sleds theres alot of older peeps that want to get the next generation into sleddin instead of xbox and because the state is greedy the next generation will lose out.If a few rich folks can afford it I hope they can pay for all grooming because that whats going to happen.Tab your sled in montana 25.00 for the year and ride here for free.Dont tell me the state wont rob it they have done it before they will do it again my Dad has been riding here since 1970 he has seen it happen.They use to send out a gas use form to fill out for sleddin they relized how much was in the slush fund and took it say what you want those are facts.Me i like the montana powder better anyway