Last night's attendance at the general AURS meeting was a disappointing 30 people. That's right, 30 people, including the 6 at the head table! The number of people registered at the Waiprous Annual Volunteer Days was 240. The number of people registered at the McLean Creek Annual Volunteer Days was 150. At the April general AURS meeting, when the initial draft of GAMP was announced, we had in attendance over 300 people! Some stood outside for 2 h trying to get any information they could from the standing room only meeting going on inside. No parking was available within a 1 1/2 block radius. At that meeting, everyone there was up in arms. All present demanded that action be taken to prevent the loss of our trails. All wanted to know what steps they could take to stop this unfair government policy from greatly restricting their use of an area that has been used an enjoyed by several generations responsibly! Where are these numbers of people now??? Where do they stand?
Since the April meeting we have seen a great reduction in the number of people attending meetings and events. Have they given up? GAMP has not yet been passed! We have made progress! This plan will be changed by the people who oppose it! Now is not the time to give up. We MUST stand together and fight for our beliefs in sheer numbers. In the eyes of the government the numbers are all that matters. Only by keeping our numbers up will be have the strength and the voice to fight our battle! You, our members, are our voice. Without you to stand behind us our plea falls on deaf ears. You MUST stand for your beliefs. If you do nothing else to help ensure the continued use of these areas, you MUST attend these meetings and show your support in numbers! It does matter! It has made us heard. It has made, and will continue, to make changes for the better! Will you continue to stand for what you believe in or will you walk away in despair and defeat. Here and now is where I will make my stand!
I will make my stand for myself. I have used these areas personally for 20 years and will continue to in whatever form I can until the day I die! I will stand for my son who took his first camping trip at the age of 3 months so that he too can one day do the same with his children. I will stand for my family who when they come to visit always enjoy an off-road trip into our beautiful areas. I will stand for all the user groups, as does the AURS. I will stand for the people who use the area and do not even know who we are. I will stand for the people who do not know they are in danger of losing these areas and other areas in the future. I will stand for the people who, through lack of education and experience, do not use the area in a RESPONSIBLE manner, in the hope that one day, with proper guidance, they too will feel as I do. And, I will even stand for you, with or without your support!
I will not give up this fight. I will not walk softly into the night!!!!! I will STAND
Topic: Where will YOU stand?! (Read 2651 times)