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Chairman’s Column Just when we thought the Macomb County Board was shifting into high gear on purchase of the trail, someone kicked the transmission into neutral. And nothing happens while we wait. Well,
that’s not entirely true. Several steps have been taken. These include:
At our last meeting, one of the old hands at this stuff told us to expect at least another year before we can begin to use the trail officially. I know that’s not what you want to hear, but we all have to realize that the Macomb Orchard Trail is a process, not an event. (Return to Top of Page)
Speaking of events, we will again have our booth at the Romeo Peach Festival Arts and Crafts Fair, the Richmond Good Old Days and the Armada Applefest. These are all late summer and fall events. If you know of any spring or summer events where we could put up our “tent,” please call one of the board members listed elsewhere in this newsletter. MAY 12 to 20: Supersale at Stony Creek Schwinn, 58235 Van Dyke, Washingon, MI.
Past members who have not paid their dues for 2001 have been reminded of this omission in a separate mailing. If you have not been a member, consider becoming one at this time. Dues remain at $10 per year or $20 for a family membership that includes two votes in elections and all other official actions of the membership. Fill out the form at the back of this issue and fill it in or bring it to the next meeting (Or click here for an on-line version of the form you can mail in). Friends of The Macomb Orchard Trail is a nonprofit, charitable organization the relies on dues and contributions to provide information on the progress of the trail and to rouse community support for it. Becoming a member shows that you strongly support the trail and will help to bring it to completion. The County Board is very aware of strong citizen support for the trail. Being a member helps ensure that they always know you’re there. (Return to Top of Page)
The Michigan office of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has been a major supporter of the Macomb Orchard Trail since day one. If you aren’t yet a member of RTC, you should consider joining now. The annual fee for membership in the national organization is as low as $18, and you can also contribute to the Michigan office when you join. Check them on the web at
www.railtrails.org for more information or call 1 (800) 888-7747 extension 11 to join now.
Armada and Richmond Township Status Loyal supporters of the trail living in Armada and Richmond Townships, thank you for your continued support. With the County Board’s decision to purchase the railroad right-of-way for a trail, you will have a trail in your community in spite of political opposition. In fact, recent comments in the media by elected officials in Armada Township suggest that they see the trail as inevitable, even if unwanted. It is not now, or ever, too late for these communities to participate in writing the Interlocal agreement and becoming members of the Trail Management Council. Continue to encourage them to join the process. There is provision in the current draft of the Interlocal agreement that allows units of government to sign the agreement and later back without penalty before the purchase is complete if they want to. Most of the Township Board Members’ publicly voiced objections are the result of misinformation or lack of information. If they join in writing the agreement, they can make informed judgments about the costs and benefits of the trail. They can also make their concerns known. (Return to Top of Page)
History of abandoned railroad corridor sought The Friends of Macomb Orchard Trail are developing a history of the Canadian National - Grand Trunk railroad corridor that runs between Richmond, through Armada and Romeo, to Shelby Township. If you have any historical or land ownership information, news items, vintage pictures, maps or artifacts of this railroad line, or the people or trains that traversed it, please send them to:
Clinton River Trail in Oakland County The Clinton River Trail is the Oakland County extension of the Macomb Orchard Trail From: Dan Keifer dckeifer@aol.com
MOT Flora and Fauna by: Marth Nitz As we plan for the future Macomb Orchard Trail, we remember that humans are not the only ones rail-trails benefit. Trails are sanctuaries for our native plants and animals, since the human-path takes up only a narrow strip of the right-of-way. We'd like to know what's already out there so we can help to preserve and maintain this Green Space in our fast-developing county. You can help by observing the flora and fauna and listing what you see. Some Friends of the Trail will participate in the DNR Annual Frog and Toad Survey, using public sites near the Trail. Anurans are a good measure of healthy habitat because they are a food source for other animals, and because they like to live in or near clean water sources. We will go out in May, June, and July, about 10pm, to hear which of Michigan’s 13 native frogs and toads we have with us. You're welcome to join us on some warm, drizzly nights in the near future. The DNR Natural Heritage Program also offers something called Floristic Quality Assessment. It is a way to identify and count species so that we can preserve our native Michigan plants along the Trail. We are looking for botany enthusiasts, both professional and amateur, to walk with us in early June, late July, and mid September, and help us list what's there. Contact Martha Nitz, jmnitz@home.com or 586-677-3506, for more information. (Return to Top of Page)
Friends of Macomb Orchard Trail meeting dates Regular meetings on 2nd Tuesday of month at Rotary Activities Building, 20505 29 Mile Rd (east of Wolcott) The Friends of the Macomb Orchard Trail meetings are on the second Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m. at Camp Rotary Activities Building, 20505 29 Mile Rd. (east of Wolcott) Scheduled dates are: April 10, 2001: 7:00 p.m. May 8, 7:00 p.m. June 12, 7:00 p.m
Frequently Asked Questions Macomb Orchard Trail is name of proposed multi-use trail for non-motorized recreation on 19.5 miles of
abandoned railroad right-of-way from Richmond to Armada, Romeo, Washington, Shelby Township in Macomb County. Extending 19 more miles into Oakland County would be the “Clinton River Trail” from Rochester to Sylvan Lake, Auburn Hills, Pontiac for total of 38 miles of multi-use, non-motorized trail. For answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the MOT, Lee Sorensen has written a FAQ, available at Friends meetings or online at
http://www.orchardtrail.org/faqs.htm. (Return
to Top of Page)
Board of Directors All of the incumbent board members were returned to office in the election held at the January meeting. Officers of the board also remain the same, except that Dennis Tipsword replaces John Tarantino as vice-chairman.
Pictures of the Macomb Orchard Trail: http://photos.yahoo.com/vcrepair
For latest updates on the Macomb Orchard Trail you can subscribe to the e-mail list. Check www.orchardtrail.org or call the Friends of the Macomb Orchard Trail answering machine 586-997-7271 and leave your e-mail address. (Return to Top of Page)
Proposed By-law Amendments At the January meeting the Board voted to recommend changes in our by-laws. These changes will be
voted on by the members at the April meeting. These may seem inconsequential, but as a nonprofit corporation, we have a responsibility to make our by-laws correspond to our internal operating procedures in order to maintain our nonprofit status. The proposed changes are as follows:
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Friends of the Macomb Orchard Trail Inc. P. O. Box 385 Richmond, Michigan 48062-0385 www.orchardtrail.org |
