they gave an ATV party and noone came....
Dear Northwoods Citizens for Responsible Stewardship,
Saturday, June 22, I had a heart-warming ATV experience. I drove to Eagle River to observe the 9:00 a.m. ATV parade down main street. Remembering a similar ATV parade last year led by Frank Tremmel with positive ATV press coverage, I figured this parade would be a major event. They had the perfect set-up, sponsored by Randy Harden’s WATVA and Randy Harden’s NOHVIS insurance group, and riding for the charity, Angel On My Shoulder, a non-profit organization that helps those afflicted with cancer.
Guess What? They threw a parade and nobody came. About 20 people, shopping on main street stopped to watch. As they turned the corner and returned up the side street just off main street, not a soul could be seen on either side of the street. I was the only person standing on the corner taking pictures and many of the riders waved at me. They looked beautiful. Their machines were spotless and many wore colorful racing outfits. They were friendly and polite. The parade Marshall was Roger Breske in the lead ATV cart and the Rhinelander band was seated on a large flatbed truck. I don’t think the band played for more than 5 minutes, total. There were several big vans representing ATV wholesalers and two jeeps bearing Angel On My Shoulder banners. The fire truck released his siren a few times on main street, but otherwise the parade was very subdued.
No T.V. no press at the parade, or for that matter almost no press coverage before the race. The two local newspapers printed a standard press release which was hidden on back pages the week of the event. Channel 12 TV gave the event a short announcement on Thursday night news
Considering the advance information Harden sent out to his members I was surprised at Eagle River’s response. Jim Knuth received an anonymous letter signed by Randy Harden which was simply headed “Vilas County Topic”. Randy called Vilas County ATVs “Spotted Owl of the Northwest” and said, “ Vilas was infamous in reference to a past countywide, non-binding referendum that was as contentious and biased against ATVs as any I’ve witnessed anywhere. If we can come to an agreement in our NH-AL ATV stakeholder group, we’ll be on our way, breaking down past negative barriers to finally realize some positive ATV riding in Vilas County.” To paraphrase the rest of the letter, “ If you do nothing else this season, bring your ATV and join us Friday night, July 21 and Saturday July 22 at the Ride for Charity. We cannot and must not fail to have anything but a spectacularly large turnout. ----I’m counting on each and every one of our ATV enthusiasts to help us send a message, loud and clear. ATVing has arrived in Vilas County and you can play an important role by being part of it!------Show your support for our Vilas County clubs, they’ve endured years of anti-ATV hardships. ------Let’s showcase the best qualities our sport has to offer Vilas County and show them how many ATVers in Wisconsin might just come and spend some of our hard earned dollars in their county versus trailering right on by into ATV friendly communities.”
I showed the letter to a small group of members in Presque Isle and they suggested that I ignore the event. Only sending a letter to the editor if our viewpoint against ATVs was challenged in the press. I did nothing and everything worked out perfect. Once more Vilas County residents and visitors showed that they had no interest in welcoming ATVs.
Sue Drum
11384 CTH B
715-686-2655
drumsa@centurytel.net
Saturday, June 22, I had a heart-warming ATV experience. I drove to Eagle River to observe the 9:00 a.m. ATV parade down main street. Remembering a similar ATV parade last year led by Frank Tremmel with positive ATV press coverage, I figured this parade would be a major event. They had the perfect set-up, sponsored by Randy Harden’s WATVA and Randy Harden’s NOHVIS insurance group, and riding for the charity, Angel On My Shoulder, a non-profit organization that helps those afflicted with cancer.
Guess What? They threw a parade and nobody came. About 20 people, shopping on main street stopped to watch. As they turned the corner and returned up the side street just off main street, not a soul could be seen on either side of the street. I was the only person standing on the corner taking pictures and many of the riders waved at me. They looked beautiful. Their machines were spotless and many wore colorful racing outfits. They were friendly and polite. The parade Marshall was Roger Breske in the lead ATV cart and the Rhinelander band was seated on a large flatbed truck. I don’t think the band played for more than 5 minutes, total. There were several big vans representing ATV wholesalers and two jeeps bearing Angel On My Shoulder banners. The fire truck released his siren a few times on main street, but otherwise the parade was very subdued.
No T.V. no press at the parade, or for that matter almost no press coverage before the race. The two local newspapers printed a standard press release which was hidden on back pages the week of the event. Channel 12 TV gave the event a short announcement on Thursday night news
Considering the advance information Harden sent out to his members I was surprised at Eagle River’s response. Jim Knuth received an anonymous letter signed by Randy Harden which was simply headed “Vilas County Topic”. Randy called Vilas County ATVs “Spotted Owl of the Northwest” and said, “ Vilas was infamous in reference to a past countywide, non-binding referendum that was as contentious and biased against ATVs as any I’ve witnessed anywhere. If we can come to an agreement in our NH-AL ATV stakeholder group, we’ll be on our way, breaking down past negative barriers to finally realize some positive ATV riding in Vilas County.” To paraphrase the rest of the letter, “ If you do nothing else this season, bring your ATV and join us Friday night, July 21 and Saturday July 22 at the Ride for Charity. We cannot and must not fail to have anything but a spectacularly large turnout. ----I’m counting on each and every one of our ATV enthusiasts to help us send a message, loud and clear. ATVing has arrived in Vilas County and you can play an important role by being part of it!------Show your support for our Vilas County clubs, they’ve endured years of anti-ATV hardships. ------Let’s showcase the best qualities our sport has to offer Vilas County and show them how many ATVers in Wisconsin might just come and spend some of our hard earned dollars in their county versus trailering right on by into ATV friendly communities.”
I showed the letter to a small group of members in Presque Isle and they suggested that I ignore the event. Only sending a letter to the editor if our viewpoint against ATVs was challenged in the press. I did nothing and everything worked out perfect. Once more Vilas County residents and visitors showed that they had no interest in welcoming ATVs.
Sue Drum
11384 CTH B
715-686-2655
drumsa@centurytel.net
posted by Mark Haag at 6:39 PM
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