Minutes of General Meeting of Thursday, October 10, 2002

Members present:Maureen Haupert, Phil & Natasha Miller, Ramona Venegas, Ed & Nan Chappel, Ed Morse, Stub & Pat Willick, Steve Webster, Rich & Deb Krieger, Mary Soule

Guests present: Ralph & Gerrie Carmen

Meeting opened at 7 pm by President Rich Krieger

REPORT FROM GOV. LIASON/ RAMONA VENEGAS

• There was nothing new to report on the bear at Bear Track Campground.
• The Forest Service is still talking with the Ottawa Nation about the Tribal Land crossing south of High Bridge
• Regarding the deer blind near the trail which was noticed north of Dead Horse Marsh road, the property owner has been notified and has not responded. It will be removed by NFS if no response. In general blinds are to have name/address on them and be removed after the seaon. If a blind is seen in the spring within site of trail. Knock it down and report to NFS.. Do not confront hunters.
• Ramona will be out of the office10/12 to 10/30. We shoulld give Ramona serial no. for DR mower for file.
• Met Patrick Wiese, NFS Law Enforcement. Contact him if threatened by anyone
• Ramona needs volunteer hours by 10/12 to turn in.

TRAIL WORK …WIDENING TRAIL AT EAST ENTRY TO LEITCH BAYOU

• This project has been approved by NFS?
• The Trail coordinators have a plan for the work
• 3 MSU student helpers will be available
• Preliminary Work day is Saturday, Oct 12. Ed Chappel will lead and teach Meet at Zeppi's, Brethren, 9 am
• If more work is needed, Ed Morse will lead/ teach on Sunday, Oct 13.
• Krieger help both days if/as needed.

TRAIL WORK…PUNCHEON AT LEITCH BAYOU…Oct 19, 2002

• The project is approved by NFS and is in line with NPS guidelines.
• CSU students coming to help….5 of them ?
• Prisoners set for prep work to haul materials down trail on 10/17 + 10/. Chappel, Morse, Krieger, maybe S.Webster will layout sills and do prep for workday.

TRAIL WORK…OTHER
The Executive Committee will discuss at Nov 14 meeting . All are invited for inputs!

• Sterling, Heckman, Dead Horse,.etc
• Manistee Connector Trail (?)
• Ed Chappel gave a quick summary of work at these areas

BUDGET/TREASURY

• Treasurer Mary Soule is not sure what $114.00 deposit is for, although it was a donation from S.Webster friend
• We are in good financial condition

MISCELLANEOUS

• Carsonite post Trail Adopter stickers are now here. They should be placed on the side that an approaching hiker would see.
• These need to be gotten to the TA's.
• Everyone was reminded about turning in volunteer hours It is still not clear what hours to turn in to Ed C, Ramona, or directly to the NCTA.
• Willicks and Webster have a lot to turn in.
• Ramona needs all volunteer hours for the NFS records
• Angie- the status of "Bike Brochure" is that it is in progress and hopefully will be completed next spring.
• Triad Meeting…Joan has notes…Rich commented that it was a good meeting.
• Trails Day…need volunteers for committee No immediate volunteers
• NFS is considering a solar powered water pump at Marilla T.H. in 2003
• Sat Hike…10/12, will be self directed. Participants ? Looks like M.Soule, M. Haupert, Phil Miller possible, lady from Grand Rapids ; possibly Shari Wessels and scouts from Big Rapids.
• Ramona- volunteers +TAs doing work need ‘volunteer agreement' from NFS. Ed C will notify and get form to TA's
• Informative presentation by Ed C on trail maint.
• Ed C defined why he thinks our trail needs work. He would like our section to be ‘best' of the NCT.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm

minutes written by Joan Young, secretary, from notes taken by Rich Krieger