Ontario Rock Crawling Championship is being threatened :(

The 9th Annual Ontario Rock Crawling Competitions (ORCC) hosted by MADDAWG EXTREME ROCKSPORTS are in jepardy. The season includes 2 events held June and Aug. Both Events are held at the Ontario Camp for the Deaf (http://www.bobrumball.org/OCD/ocd.html), Parry Sound, ON, with the main Event HQ located at the Parry Sound KOA. MADDAWG EXTREME ROCKSPORTS and the ORCC continues in its commitment to provide a professionally organized venue for the extreme sport of Rock Crawling in Canada. These Events are internationally recognized drawing Competition Teams from Ontario, Quebec and the USA.

Through proceeds generated from the events we were able to provide the following donations to our Event Charities in 2007.

Ontario Camp for the Deaf - $2700.00
KOA Kare Kamps - $1700.00.

The camp is also a premier motocross track and a site for the World Enduro Championships (http://www.parrysound.com/press/1158948060/) hosted by World Enduro Canada (http://www.worldendurocanada.com/)

Motor sports and motorized recreation has been occurring at the site for 15 years.

The ORCC is in it's 9th year and marks the 7th year at this site.

The complaints have only come recently from a couple of local residents about traffic and noise during these events.

Property Zoning is being used as the leverage to close the site to motorized use even though there is a 15 year precedence and the township was actually involved in last years World Enduro Championships.

Here is a letter from the camp owner:
Hello All

Derek Rumball here, from the Camp of the Deaf, Parry Sound

Can you all please fwd this to all concerned. we need letters from not just hundreds but thousands

As you may or may not be aware, the Township has formally informed me that there is to be no more "motor vehicle racing" on the camp property They informed me April 6.

I am trying to resolve it with the township so that no 2009 events are in jeopardy.

Public opinion will go a long way to assist in this.

A letter to the Mayor of the township expressing your disappointment and the effect of the prohibited activities will add a lot of weight to the appeal.

I can not create a form letter as it does not carry much impact. Real, honest and heart felt letters from effected racers ,riders, and jeep crawlers will have a real impact.

Some suggested items to be included

* the short notice as events, vacations , schedules are planned well in advance
* the impact on your racer especially if its a kid
* your vacation $$$ being spent in the community and your personal plans being messed with
* your fondness for the camp and the track
* asking for an explanation of how they endorsed the WEC last year but not this year
* how many years you've attended the races or events at the camp
* how much $$$ you spend at local commercial folks
* the safe riding environment at the camp as opposed to unorganized, trespass riding
* For the ATV Crowd to mention the CMRC award and the ATV specific built track

I'm sure there is lots more to add. Please do not make reference to poor decision but rather ask for an explanation

If a question is asked and you are requesting a reply, it has to be done and entered into the minutes.

Care must be taking in making the letters sound disappointing but not angry or demanding.

Derek Rumball
Executive Director
Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf

Here is the local news article and a place to post comments.

http://www.parrysound.com/press/1241022849/

Please send letters to:

Mayor David Conn
Seguin Township
5 Humphrey Drive
Parry Sound Ontario
P2A 2W8
Email: davidc@vianet.ca

letter generator will be up on Monday.

thanx for cleaning that up Hammy. looking FWD to the generator! (SENT!)

Letter sent

You would think a fellow small business owner would understand the benefit of events that bring money into this small community.

Bev Burnham is one of the neighbours who has been constantly complaining to town council about what the camp is doing.

Bev Burnham
A Body Control Pilates Studio-Soundgrace Pilates
Parry Sound District ON
Telephone : 705-378-1554

Here is an interesting quote from another local neighbour in support of the OCD.


Just wondering if the Burnhams or the Pelkinens are going to ask Seguin to shut down the Two Train tracks that are with in spitting distance, and I mean actual spitting distance, from their televisions sets in their living rooms.

I hope they do and succeed as we need more trail to ride on since the safe and organized riding area at the Deafcamp is now out of the question. It is my sincere hope that the Burnhams, the Pelkinens or the real force behind this action, Councillor Childley, never have to go to the hospital in town and be told that they cant get services because a significant donar has had their legs cut off from under them.

The lack of vision, the hypocrasy, the predjucial abuse of office is eveident . As you read the minutes of the council of Seguin its become apparent that the issue of the Deaf camp is more of a personal agenda of half of council than enforcement of a legal nonconforming use of one the few jewels that is still in Seguin township. for over 15 years Ive seen trucks and trailers going to the deaf camp as they turn onto blackstone road. Families and kids having place to compete in a safe controled place as opposed to tresspassing and reckless riding. I can hear the races happening.Never in all my years here has in gone into the evening hours. So dont keep it a secret, council. Council, you had to go to a recorded split vote for a variance for a sign for the deaf camp.A sign!!!

the Mayor had to break a tied vote for a driveway variance!!! It s not a secret thats there is way more to this than pushing the limits of municiple authority. Letters of complaints from a neighbour who lives about 32 feet from the train tracks, the noise??? The noise from the Deaf camp is not going to effect the property values when you are able to wink at the train conductor as he drives past your house evry hour.Property assesments????

Just be honest and tell the Rev Rumball that your one friend dosent like the noise and your useing your positions to over turn what has been a feature in our little town. so i guess we have to get used to the dirt bikes on the roads again.

oh how i long for Foley!

Just for reference heres the locations of all the noise:shaking:

439968

sent me letter...


i still think its a little ironic that people are complaining about the noise coming from camp for the deaf

http://www.pirate4x4.com/letters/

Pklease pass it on!

Sent.

Thats absolute bullshit, gotta love town politics

I'll write a letter when I get home from work.

This sucks, Stupid neighbours.

Has the camp been there before Bev Burnham moved into her pilates studio?

I am disappointed to hear that the Seguin township has notified the Ontario Camp for the Deaf that there is to be no more motor vehicle racing there.

Why were the World Enduro Championships and Ontario Rock Crawling Competitions endorsed last year and not this year?

I respectfully urge you to reconsider your decision in light of two key facts: 1) proceeds go towards donations to the Ontario Camp for the Deaf and the Parry Sound KOA Kare Kamps, and 2) sanctioned motorsports competitions are highly regulated, very responsible, and a wholesome means for families to recreate on motor vehicles and a safe means for the general public to spectate.

Surely with respect to the extremely poor global economy, localities would do everything possible to ensure an influx of out-of town and out-of province dollars. It would seem to be a very positive step for the Township to reconsider this decision and again see out-of town guests bringing their families to town and support your local lodging, restaurant and hospitality industries.

I would kindly appreciate a response.

keep up the great work guys. :smokin:

thanx for the help guys , keep it coming .this is not just for canada but wheelin everywhere

Done

Done, I hope it helps. I'd like to come up and check this out if they're on for this year. If not, best of luck in finding a new venue. Sorry to hear of your troubles.

BTT

thanx for the help guys , keep it coming .this is not just for canada but wheelin everywhere

Oh, I know it, my friend, I know it!!

Has the camp been there before Bev Burnham moved into her pilates studio?

Long before. They have been racing for 15 years. Bev came on the scene within the last 5.

Letter sent, eh.

Long before. They have been racing for 15 years. Bev came on the scene within the last 5.

Well, then...


...that's worth another letter from me! :evil:

The Ontario Rock Crawling Championship and the World Enduro Championships have been great neighbours to the Parry Sound community for over 15 years.

I am aware you have received several noise complaints only recently from a small number of vocal individuals who have been a part of the community for a much shorter period of time.

Do these vocal individuals positively contribute as much to the local economy as do family motorsports enthusiasts?

Are these complainants willing to step up and replace Ontario Camp for the Deaf and KOA Kare Kamps' lost revenues?

Are the individuals who pressed for the closure of organized motorsports at the Deafcamp willing to promote alternate legal and responsible areas to ride? Or, will Seguin Township be called by them to police unorganized, trespass riding that will inevitably occur when people don't have a safe, legal place to ride?

I appreciate the courtesy of a response.

Shawn

Back to the top. Thanks for the responce guys. I am sad this is about my back yard this time.

I (and almost 50 others) just recieved the following from Karen Bethune.

To All:
Thanks for your emails concerning racing at the Camp for the Deaf. This issue is not closed. Please review the attached which are comments that I made at the May 4th, 2009 Council meeting.

Your response to this email is not required. I look forward to meeting all of you at the Public Session which will be held to discuss the racing issue. The date and time for this Public Session will be determined the week of May 19th and it will be announced on our website which is www.seguin.ca If however, you believe further communication is necessary, please contact the Planning Department of the Township of Seguin. (705-732-4300 or 1-877-473-4846)

Regards,
David Conn, Mayor
Township of Seguin

attached document:
File Memo
Camp For The Deaf
Mayor Conn Comments
May 4/09

I would like to discuss the issue of the Township advising the Camp for the Deaf (CFD) via an April 6, 2009 letter that motor vehicle racing is an illegal use on CFD lands; and that this activity would not be permitted to continue under the current zoning.

This issue first came to Council’s attention in the Summer of ’08 when we were advised that residents were continuing to complain about the noise and traffic levels related to the motor racing. Further, our Planning Department advised that the racing was probably illegal under our bylaws. Council directed staff to initiate dialogue with the CFD.

Staff met with the CFD on November 8/08 and advised them that the racing was definitely illegal. The CFD was advised to apply for a zoning bylaw amendment to legalize the racing uses.

The CFD did not apply for a rezoning. Resident complaints continued. Hence, the April 6 letter.

Due to my own inefficiency in reviewing my mail file, I must admit that I did not personally become aware of this issue until last week when I began to receive e-mails following a North Star article re. the CFD issue.

In other words, the decision to close down the CFD’s racing activities was not made by Council. Rather, the decision was made by Senior Staff.

I would like to emphasize that this decision is totally within staff responsibility and authority. The facts are clear: the racing activity is illegal; staff advised the CFD that the racing is illegal; staff advised the CFD of the necessary action to attempt to legalize the racing; the CFD initiated no action.

In Seguin Township we encourage our staff to be decisive. But we also ask them to be cognizant of issues with a high degree of sensitivity that should probably be reviewed with Council.

Based on hindsight, the CFD decision probably should have been reviewed by Council.

In my own personal viewpoint, the issue of racing at the CFD has a history that requires responsibility be taken by all parties.

The fact is that the CFD motor racing has always been illegal under both the bylaws of the former Township of Foley and the Township of Seguin. However, for the past 15 years, the municipalities allowed the racing to continue.

I suspect that the camp has been aware that motor racing is an illegal non-conforming use on their property. Yet the camp initiated no activity to legalize the racing.

So blame must be shared by all.

Given that the rezoning process normally takes at least 6 months, Staff’s April 6th decision essentially shuts down the racing for this summer. I’m personally not sure this is fair given the history of this issue.

Accordingly, I am suggesting tonight that Council give Staff direction to seek legal advice and to report back in two weeks with options to move forward to either consider legalizing the CFD’s current use of the property; or to maintain our current position.

Further, at the meeting, I would like to see a summary of resident comments over the part year or so; also, a summary of the events operated by the camp over the past two summers (i.e. Number of events; durations of each event, and number of participants in each event).

Also, I want to hear from the public on this issue. Accordingly, I will be recommending either a public meeting or a public information session. I will also be proposing that this public session be held as soon after our next meeting as possible

At the public session, I want to be presented with hard data from both proponents and opponents of the racing.


David Conn, Mayor
Township of Seguin

theres a good group from Throttle Happy that are waiting for the meeting date, and they are also in the planning stage of getting a bunch of rigs up there prior to, hang out at the Beer store and in town to get a petition started. it would be nice to show up at the meeting with a wack of locals names on the petition showing support.

got mine done.
Del

5 hours is a bit far for a meeting but if there's local wheeling to check out and the meeting is on a Monday or Friday I bet a few from Rochester and Buffalo could be convinced to show up.

there is good wheelin up there, well 45 mins from perry sound.

update from Derrick McClinchey ORCC Event Manager :

"We are setting up an ORCC EVENT DISPLAY in PARRY SOUND on June 20th, 2009.

The purpose of this EVENT is to allow the Residents of SEQUIN TOWNSHIP & the PARRY SOUND TOWN/REGION to come out and meet us in person. We feel that this exposure and meeting the local residents will greatly assist us in our Mission to assist the OCD in obtaining their Zoning Bylaw Amendment.

We are asking ALL COMPETITION TEAMS to bring their BUGGY & TEAM for this VERY IMPORTANT EVENT. As this is an ORCC Display it will only be made up of our COMPETITION BUGGIES.

** COMPETITION TEAMS PLEASE RESPOND YOUR ATTENDANCE STATUS BY RESPONDING TO THIS POST. Feel free to contact me by PM as well.

FANS & SUPPORTERS encouraged to attend, as your input and interaction with the local residents will fortify our Mission.

The day will be broken down as follows -

SEQUIN TOWNSHIP - 9 AM - 12 PM - We will setup in the parking lot at the Info / Service Centre (Tim Horton's, Licks, DQ, etc...) located at Exit 214 just of the 400.

PARRY SOUND TOWN/REGION - 2 - 5 PM - We will setup in Parry Sound - location to be confirmed shortly.

We are very proud & impressed by your SUPPORT, in how you have responded either on this Forum, through the Parry Sound North Star link and in the amount of letters/e-mails that have been sent to the SEQUIN TOWNSHIP MAYOR.

BOTH DEREK RUMBALL, MADDAWG EXTREME ROCKSPORTS & the ORCC THANK YOU !!!"






--------------------

Derrick McClinchey

ORCC Event Manager / Head Marshall

MADDAWG EXTREME ROCKSPORTS Inc.

"If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dawg around !!"

Thank you all for the letters!!!! the ORCC is back on!!! for this year anyways.

http://www.parrysound.com/press/1243006806/

:smokin:

wonderful!!

AWESOME!! :smokin:

Good for now but I hope they are able to work out the scheduling and zoning issues for the future. The complaining neighbors will never be satisfied though.

This is to announce; that due to the ongoing unresolved zoning issues with the Ontario Camp for the Deaf & the Sequin Township, the 2009 ORCC Labour Day Event has been cancelled. This was a very difficult decision to make; however, based on the circumstances and all involved, the right one.

The ORCC will resume in 2010 once these resolutions have been sorted out. The ORCC sincerely apologizes for any and all inconvience this eleventh hour cancellation will and has caused.

There will be a Competitors Meeting at 2 PM this Sat, 8 Aug at ROCKSPYDER 4X4 for those Teams interested in the reasoning behind our cancellation decision.

All Competition Teams planning on attending are asked to please respond to this post.

We Thank You in advance for your understanding.


--------------------
Derrick McClinchey

ORCC Event Manager / Head Marshall

:mad:

Well, thanks for the update but that totally sucks. Keep us posted when it's time to put more letters/email to the appropriate people.