E. Conway
Thanks Mike. This is another reminder to thank both the volunteers and promoters who jump through hoops to put on races. Overall I was very lucky with my government agency interaction but I have no doubt other directors have tougher times.
Since this was my first year as a promoter several issues that came up that I discussed with other directors. This brought the suggestion of an OBRA database of community state and local agencies with contact names. Special issues or notes with regards to the local, county or state roads. I needed to provide photo's of the event signs that would be used during and before the race. That took a trip out to the OBRA truck with camera and tape measure.
What I found and heard this year is a much stronger tie between the county and ODOT. When several issues came up in early talks that other promoters had not mentioned dealing with I would ask why. The answer tended to that the agency was not sure what the other branches did, but to them, here is the what the book says. One guy had a checklist and we had to run through the entire list during each phone call/email. While I'm sure they have a certain amount of latitude with some issues, I'm wondering if they are trying to become more consistent throughout the state with regards to racing and public obtained permits. It could be counties are adapting more ODOT policies too.
In early communications the ODOT told me they would do nothing before Multnomah county gave me their permit, however, the county told me they would not give me approval until ODOT granted their's (repeat for several rounds of phone calls using the phrase "That's not right. They always go first then we grant our permit." ). While the only thing both agreed on was that nothing would happen without a community approval letter, the county did point out that if anything was unclear about which rules to adhere to, they would likely follow ODOT policy.
Again my thanks to all the promoters, volunteers and OBRA officials for their time and help making it all happen.
Ernie.
PS: On a footnote to the database suggestion. Due to the fact that I expect to be director of the 2003 LMTT the community has already given their approval for next year. My list of state and local contacts on a first name basis will no doubt make 2003 much easier for me and was in fact helpful to another promoter puttting on a 2002 event.
-----Original Message-----
From: mike.m-@obra.org [SMTP:mike.m-@obra.org]
Sent: Thursday, August 08, 2002 11:00 PM
To: llsm-@veloski.com; obra-@topica.com; obra; spa-@teleport.com
Cc: Rob Sanders; Ian Fuller the Shaklee Guy; Shirley-@EWEB.Eugene.OR.US; teddiem-@yahoo.com; smco-@epud.net; Kim Fry; wkwi-@qwest.net; cb-@proaxis.com; bris-@epud.net; Stephb-@yahoo.com; jim fish; Phil Harden
Subject: RE: [OBRA Chat] Get Involved! Now Recruiting Volunteers for Eugene Celebration C
As I recall, there was also at least one OBRA member who has done the
required items in order to run the course to certify flaggers. I am not
sure that I agree with Larry that a flagger course is all that beneficial.
It is, however, required for state highways if the flagger is going to
change the flow of traffic through a traffic control device or hold up
traffic. Fortunately most races do not run on state highways, or if they do
they do not run against existing traffic control. This is the first that I
had heard that Lane County was also requiring this.
The State DOT guidelines also require that the flagger wear an orange vest
and a hard hat. Personally, I have NO idea what the benefit of a hard hat
would be for a flagger, but that is in the regulations. Another great
example of government think as far as I can tell.
All this may seem rather trivial but people should recognize that if a race
organizer is required to hire certified flaggers this expense would easily
be the biggest line item on many race budgets. More certified flaggers
means higher costs, higher entry fees, lower prize lists, less race day
amenities and ultimately fewer races.
Mike Murray
-----Original Message-----
From: llsm-@veloski.com [mailto:llsm-@veloski.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 08, 2002 21:58 PM
To: obra-@topica.com; obra; spa-@teleport.com
Cc: Rob Sanders; Ian Fuller the Shaklee Guy;
Shirley-@EWEB.Eugene.OR.US; teddiem-@yahoo.com;
smco-@epud.net; Kim Fry; wkwi-@qwest.net; cb-@proaxis.com;
bris-@epud.net; Stephb-@yahoo.com; jim fish; Phil Harden
Subject: RE: [OBRA Chat] Get Involved! Now Recruiting Volunteers for
Eugene Celebration C
Jim...nice job putting together race volunteer duty descriptions. Just
thought I'd pass on information that I learned as Tour of Willamette Race
Director; one additional item for course flagger's responsibilities is that
they have ODOT approved flagger training certificates to stop traffic on
public roadways. This is a condition for issuing permits in Lane County on
county roads (Petzold,Crow etc) and with ODOT for use of state roads
(Territorial). Failure to do so opens all associated race organizers,
racers, sponsors and staff to the potential of serious liability in the
event of an accident between racers and public motorists. The training
sessions can be scheduled thru the Oregon Safety Council; fully certified
flagger training courses are 4 hrs in length. You'll have a much safer race
with certified flaggers and significantly reduce your liability exposure.
You'll need to check with your insurance carrier regarding participation in
an event that does not follow permitting agency safety guidelines and
requirements.
Have a safe race....
Larry Smith, Race Director
Tour of Willamette
www.tourofwillamette.com
llsm-@veloski.com
Riding n' smiling in France...a bientot
Laurent
llsm-@veloski.com
011 33 6 87 32 54 65 (France cell)
To respond to the whole group send to ob-@topica.com.
To respond to the list manager send to ob-@teleport.com
To unsubscribe send to obra-uns-@topica.com
To respond to the whole group send to ob-@topica.com.
To respond to the list manager send to ob-@teleport.com
To unsubscribe send to obra-uns-@topica.com