Paul Hammerquist
Dear Friends,
I just wanted to thank everyone for their help with the COTA petition drive
to save Phil?s Trail. We will be submitting around 1600 signatures to ODOT
and the US Forest Service. Hopefully we will be able to convince ODOT that
this is not a good site to choose.
I would like to extend a special thanks to the following people and
businesses that gathered the bulk of the signatures:
Pizza Mondo Mark Dejohn
Long Board Loui's Eric Vickers
ORCOM Solutions Jeff Dangle
Westside Video Doug Headrick
Pine Mountain Sports Ron Crawford
Parrilla Grill David Baker
Hutch?s Bicycles
Sunnyside Sports
Big O Bagel
Mothers Juice Caf?
all of the people who signed the petition
You will note a rather disturbing lack of Bicycle shops on the above list.
One Bicycle shop did not even get one signature (East Side Bikes). It would
seem to me that bicycle shops would want to help lead the charge!
Thanks again.
Paul Hammerquist
COTA
PS. On a more positive note I received the following letter along with
about 35 signatures:
To Whom It May Concern:
As a teacher in this community, I am always looking for ways to connect with
kids. Over the years I have taken students on mountain bike rides in the
area of Phil?s Trail. This trail system is easily accessible from the
school that I teach at. Because of these activities, I have been able to
show young individuals an after school activity that is unique to this area.
I truly believe that Phil?s Trail has saved some individuals from dropping
out school. Others have started a racing career and find themselves looking
forward to the next ride. They even begin to show some added interest in
school. It amazes me how excited some students get when they accomplish a
difficult task such as climbing the wall after the burn.
The last few years have been particularly rewarding. Because of a grant,
our school has been able to purchase 7 bikes and helmets. Now students who
can not afford the luxury of an expensive mountain bike, can feel the joy of
biking in our forest. This program has expanded to a junior racing program
that gives kids more opportunities to bond with adults. The Phil?s Trail
area benefits many types of users.
As a community member, it is a joy to share these trails not only with the
students of this area, but friends from around the world. I often lead
rides from the my doorstep that take people up into the alpine scenery and
back to my door. Phil?s Trail is always one the many highlights of the
ride. Without this crucial link, riding in Bend would remind me of riding
in a large city, where a car is necessary to get to the trailhead.
Please consider you?re other options.
Ron Crawford
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