PENNSYLVANIA OFF-ROAD SUMMIT HELD IN CONNEAUT LAKE

NOHVCC Representative Dick Lepley gathers an impressive array of state legislators, land managers, Chamber and tourist officials, and national and local OHV representatives and activists to discuss PA trail issues

      Pennsylvania NOHVCC Representative Dick Lepley has made a name for himself within our organization as one of the most active and innovative dealers in the country when it comes to promoting increased riding opportunities, as well as advancing trail safety and ethics messages. The PAOHV (Pennsylvania Off-Highway Vehicle Association) Off-Road Leadership Summit was held recently and is Lepley's most ambitious project to date.

      LEGISLATORS BECOME INTERESTED AS OHV ISSUES POP UP

      "One of our Pennsylvania State Representatives, Teresa Forcier, is an avid HD rider and she has been a customer and friend for a good many years," says Dick as he explains how the idea for the Summit came about. "She stopped by to see me in September and I surmised from her initial conversation that she was fielding a growing number of ATV related questions and complaints from constituents. During the course of our conversation she made the comment that she didn't know much about off-road issues and felt other legislators were in much the same boat. As a result, the two of us decided to pull together what I chose to call the PAOHV Off-Road Leadership Summit. I held it at my home (which is behind the dealership in Conneaut Lake) and it was an outstanding success."

                  BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE WELL REPRESENTED

      A significant number of State Representatives from northwest Pennsylvania were present as well as Representative Gary Haluska from the central district. He has been the moving force behind the massive Rock Run multi-use trail project. Senator Bob Robbins spent the day with the group as well as a representative from Congressman John Peterson's office. Also in attendance were folks from the Allegheny National Forest, a couple of county commissioners, and the local Chamber and tourist association executive directors,. On the OHV side of aisle were Tom Yager from the SVIA in Southern California, Royce Wood of the AMA, Doug Morris of the ATVA, and PAOHV/NOHVCC representation.

           FORMING ALLIANCES WITH THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS      

      "The meeting was designed to forge alliances with the political movers and shakers in the region," explained Lepley. "It was done in a very informal, friendly manner which opened the door to a lot of good information exchange. We provided a catered lunch and following our afternoon session we provided an abbreviated ATV safety training course and took those interested on a trail ride. At the end of the day Senator Robbins told me how much he enjoyed the day and encouraged me to push the program across the State which is exactly what we plan on doing. One of my motivations was to show other dealers what can and must be done to preserve the future of our sport. I also wanted to bring together a lot of folks who don't normally hear the off-road sermon preached, i.e. commissioners, tourist folk, chamber people, etc. The feedback has been extremely positive."

       Lepley and  NOHVCC PA Alternate Representative Mike Babusci plan on doing a presentation on the Off-Road Leadership Summit at the NOHVCC Annual Conference in March.

               PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE NOHVCC MISSION

      "What Dick has accomplished by pulling off his Off-Road Leadership Summit is a perfect example of the kind of things we've been encouraging within our organization," commented NOHVCC Executive Director Russ Ehnes after getting a full report on the Summit. "It's folks like Dick who ultimately will make a huge difference on where we get to enjoy quality riding opportunities in the next 20 to 30 years. I hope some of the other dealers and OHV activists throughout the country borrow a page from Lepley's playbook and get more meetings like this going in the coming year."

      If anyone is interested in getting some first-hand advice on how to facilitate their own OHV Leadership Summit, Dick says he would be more than happy to help out with some advice. You can contact him at;

13723 Conneaut Lake Rd
Conneaut Lake, PA 16316
Home: 814-382-7898
Work: 814-382-4821
Fax: 814-382-9603
dlep@zoominternet.net

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