When Joe DeVoldre of Camillus takes his all-terrain vehicle for a spin, he usually takes it to Cayuga or Wayne counties.
Devon DelloStritto / The Citizen
A member of Montezuma's All-County ATV Club crosses Route 31 in Wayne County. Club members are not happy with the proposed increase in the yearly ATV registration fee.
A few months ago, DeVoldre hooked up with Montezuma's All-County ATV Club. While most club members come from the local area, there are many members like DeVoldre, who haul in their ATVs on trailers from the Syracuse area on weekends because there simply is nowhere else they can ride legally - without traveling to Lewis or St. Lawrence counties, which have extensive private trail systems.
That's why DeVoldre and other club members are disappointed that a new proposal from Gov. George Pataki to raise ATV registration fees uses none of the money for new public trail development. Pataki's 2005-2006 budget proposal increases the yearly fee from $10 to $45, with about a fifth of the money going to existing clubs.
While giving the dollars out in the form of grants to clubs supplements membership fees, it does nothing to accomplish what the New York State Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Association wants to see - more designated public places to ride. The ATV lobbying organization contends it should be treated the same as snowmobilers, who have a stronger public trail system.
"It's better than a stick in the eye, but more money needs to be put on the table for public trails," DeVoldre said.
NYSORVA contends just over $800,000 of the $5.8 million the state expects to collect would be dedicated to ATV trails, education and enforcement. The remaining $5 million would go into the state's general fund. The organization and its clubs are lobbying state Senate and Assembly members to insist that the $35 increase go to ATV support, leaving the original $10 for the general fund.
That policy would be consistent with snowmobile registration fees, NYSORVA argues.
Assemblyman Brian Kolb, who heard from All-County ATV members at his town meeting in Montezuma last week, is sympathetic, as is state Sen. Michael Nozzolio. Both local lawmakers said they would work with ATV groups on a solution.
In 2004, nearly 130,000 ATVs were registered in New York, a number that's doubled in three years, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles.
Using that figure, the state collected $1.3 million in ATV registration fees last year. It would rise to $5.8 million, under the new fee, not taking into consideration increased registrations.
Lee Ann Harris, director of clubs and lands for Trailpass, a private group pushing trail development, said there are probably twice as many ATVs in New York, some either not registered or registered than in other states.
"It's a part of the (off-road) market that continues to grow," said Matthew Maney, a salesman for M&R Sports in Aurelius. "But New York is one of the most limited places as far as riding and trail systems. It's all private property.
"The biggest complaint I hear, and I hear it all the time, is there isn't enough places to ride," he said.
And even when people find places to ride, not everyone is receptive. Ed Teneyck, of Savannah, was ticketed last year by the state Department of Environmental Conservation police while on his ATV. He had crossed Route 31 in Montezuma and was headed to an eatery there for breakfast. Teneyck had his 6-year-old daughter with him.
The ticket wasn't for trespass or riding where he shouldn't have been - ATVs are allowed to cross roads - but for not having an insurance card. Mike Mumford, also of Savannah, was riding with him and was ticketed for the same thing. He produced a card, and the charge was dismissed. Teneyck, who is the Savannah town justice, pleaded guilty in Montezuma Town Court and paid a $50 fine.
He said he was wrong for not having the card, but thought he and Mumford were being singled out by the ENCON police because of a negative image of ATVers.
"There needs to be guidelines set," Teneyck said. "Fees are going up and they're not providing anything except a hassle."
Barry Lavoy, founder of the All-County ATV Club, wants to see Cayuga County's public snowmobile trails, as well as some of the private trails, become part of Trailpass, a Queensbury-based management company that provides services for ATV clubs. The company was founded in 2002 and is forming a trail network through the Northeast.
Or at least he wants permission from the county to ride on the snowmobile trails during the off-season. He has a meeting scheduled with county Parks and Trails Director Gary Duckett Saturday to discuss the matter.
Duckett, himself an ATV enthusiast, said the matter is complicated. The trails are multi-use, and there is great concern about allowing motorized vehicles on them.
Problems with noise and speed, as well as ruts left by ATVers and negative reaction from property owners who border the trails, are primary worries.
"There's more to it than just saying 'Have at it,'" Duckett said.
But that doesn't mean he's opposed to letting ATVers on some part of the 30 miles of trails, possibly where there is light use or the need for further development. He said Lavoy's club - which Docket described as being comprised of responsible adult riders - could be given permission to ride in a specific area on a trial basis.
Whatever is decided will need approval from the Parks and Trails Commission and the county legislature, Duckett said.
Mumford said most ATVers won't mind paying higher registration fees if they are going to have a greater diversity of riding opportunities.
"You shouldn't have to be a member of a club, either, to ride an ATV," he said.
Staff writer Louise Hoffman Broach can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or louise.hoffman@lee.net
That's why DeVoldre and other club members are disappointed that a new proposal from Gov. George Pataki to raise ATV registration fees uses none of the money for new public trail development. Pataki's 2005-2006 budget proposal increases the yearly fee from $10 to $45, with about a fifth of the money going to existing clubs.
While giving the dollars out in the form of grants to clubs supplements membership fees, it does nothing to accomplish what the New York State Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle Association wants to see - more designated public places to ride. The ATV lobbying organization contends it should be treated the same as snowmobilers, who have a stronger public trail system.
"It's better than a stick in the eye, but more money needs to be put on the table for public trails," DeVoldre said.
NYSORVA contends just over $800,000 of the $5.8 million the state expects to collect would be dedicated to ATV trails, education and enforcement. The remaining $5 million would go into the state's general fund. The organization and its clubs are lobbying state Senate and Assembly members to insist that the $35 increase go to ATV support, leaving the original $10 for the general fund.
That policy would be consistent with snowmobile registration fees, NYSORVA argues.
Assemblyman Brian Kolb, who heard from All-County ATV members at his town meeting in Montezuma last week, is sympathetic, as is state Sen. Michael Nozzolio. Both local lawmakers said they would work with ATV groups on a solution.
In 2004, nearly 130,000 ATVs were registered in New York, a number that's doubled in three years, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles.
Using that figure, the state collected $1.3 million in ATV registration fees last year. It would rise to $5.8 million, under the new fee, not taking into consideration increased registrations.
Lee Ann Harris, director of clubs and lands for Trailpass, a private group pushing trail development, said there are probably twice as many ATVs in New York, some either not registered or registered than in other states.
"It's a part of the (off-road) market that continues to grow," said Matthew Maney, a salesman for M&R Sports in Aurelius. "But New York is one of the most limited places as far as riding and trail systems. It's all private property.
"The biggest complaint I hear, and I hear it all the time, is there isn't enough places to ride," he said.
And even when people find places to ride, not everyone is receptive. Ed Teneyck, of Savannah, was ticketed last year by the state Department of Environmental Conservation police while on his ATV. He had crossed Route 31 in Montezuma and was headed to an eatery there for breakfast. Teneyck had his 6-year-old daughter with him.
The ticket wasn't for trespass or riding where he shouldn't have been - ATVs are allowed to cross roads - but for not having an insurance card. Mike Mumford, also of Savannah, was riding with him and was ticketed for the same thing. He produced a card, and the charge was dismissed. Teneyck, who is the Savannah town justice, pleaded guilty in Montezuma Town Court and paid a $50 fine.
He said he was wrong for not having the card, but thought he and Mumford were being singled out by the ENCON police because of a negative image of ATVers.
"There needs to be guidelines set," Teneyck said. "Fees are going up and they're not providing anything except a hassle."
Barry Lavoy, founder of the All-County ATV Club, wants to see Cayuga County's public snowmobile trails, as well as some of the private trails, become part of Trailpass, a Queensbury-based management company that provides services for ATV clubs. The company was founded in 2002 and is forming a trail network through the Northeast.
Or at least he wants permission from the county to ride on the snowmobile trails during the off-season. He has a meeting scheduled with county Parks and Trails Director Gary Duckett Saturday to discuss the matter.
Duckett, himself an ATV enthusiast, said the matter is complicated. The trails are multi-use, and there is great concern about allowing motorized vehicles on them.
Problems with noise and speed, as well as ruts left by ATVers and negative reaction from property owners who border the trails, are primary worries.
"There's more to it than just saying 'Have at it,'" Duckett said.
But that doesn't mean he's opposed to letting ATVers on some part of the 30 miles of trails, possibly where there is light use or the need for further development. He said Lavoy's club - which Docket described as being comprised of responsible adult riders - could be given permission to ride in a specific area on a trial basis.
Whatever is decided will need approval from the Parks and Trails Commission and the county legislature, Duckett said.
Mumford said most ATVers won't mind paying higher registration fees if they are going to have a greater diversity of riding opportunities.
"You shouldn't have to be a member of a club, either, to ride an ATV," he said.
Staff writer Louise Hoffman Broach can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or louise.hoffman@lee.net
