My understanding is that as of the conclusion of that meeting, DLis effectively closed to all users, not just cyclists!. So based on a lengthy discussion with one of those in attendance at yesterday's SHTC meeting , I seriously suggest attorneys be retained, an injunction against the board of SHTC be filed in federal court, with a provision included requiring a complete audit of the finances and expenditures of the board during 'Special Ed's' tenure as head of the SHTC by a neutral 3rd party! Special Ed is acting soley in pursuit of his own interests and not thoise of the majority of members he is supposed to represent. The membership should alos investigate whether the SHTC's charter has a means by which the membership can conduct a vote of 'no confidence' in the current boad due to the board's failure to provide adequate representation of the concerns of all members!
I think it is compartment 57 that got closed. IE the new Huntsville SP trails. That were never really open. The LSHT runs right through the middle, but it does not appear to be closed.
I'm a little confused here. I wasn't at the meeting and haven't heard about it. But does SHTC have the authority to close and open trails? I can't imagine where they'd get that unless FS granted it to them. Or do they just make recommendations that FS then follows? MS6073, injunction against the board doing what? If they actually have the authority to close trails, and the trails are still closed due to malfeasance or malice on their part, then the organization would be open to a suit from any disenfranchised trail user, which would be just about anyone who has used, or had plans to use, the trails. Could also include loss of revenue for any organization(s) who planned to hold, let's say, something like a race there. If you want their attention, hit them where it hurts, in their $. If you're a member, let them know you're not renewing. As a 501(c)(3), SHTC tax records including expenditures, reimbursements, etc. are public record. There's a start. Since most of their work involves federal funding and/or projects on federal land, I'd think just about ALL of their records are subject to FOIA request. Are there meeting minutes available? Would sure like to take a look at those. Can easily file a FOIA/TORA request. But, can Guv or someone else in the know give me an explanation of the relationship between SHTC and FS and how the SHTC is able to close trails?
If i'm not mistaken didn't the HTFU race donate a bunch of $$ to these idiots that are closing the trails? I hate to bring logic into this discussion however has anyone asked what specifically is the issue of why the trails are closed?
You can get the minutes here: http://www.samhoustontrails.org/about/board-of-directors/ You have to click a 2nd link to get the actual minutes.
Short answer no. Long answer, since the Forrest Service does not want to deal with a hoard of individuals repesenting the interests of all the cycling, equestrian, hiking, and motorcyclists that use the resources at DL and SHSP, the Sam Houston Trail Coalition was created. Initially the organization was extremely effective and helped usher in many projects to include the mtb trails at double lake. Problem is that now 2 or 3 of the members of the 5-person board are motorcyclists, not cyclists and despite some $60,000 in improvements, feel that the trails are unsafe and need additional improvements. To further confuse the matter, Special Ed apparently has been unemployed for nearly the past 1/2 year and instead of addressing the memberships concerns, he used a good amount the time allotted for the meeting to espouse his qualifications for a position with the US Forest Service. He also filtered the SHTC membership roles and emailed only the motorcyclists in the group encouraging them to renew SHTC membership as well as attend the meeting. Furthermore, despite the venue having a 175-seat capactity, Ed distributed an email to the cyclists informing them that the meeting venue limited attendance to only 75 and that a seating reservation was required. Guvnor probably has a lot more insight but he is typically a lot more reserved in his approach than to call someone out in a public forum, where as I have no irons in this fire, but cant help but think Special Ed is serving his own interests, not those of the SHTC and definitely needs to get back on his meds ASAP.
Thank you, sir. Minutes from this weekend not posted yet. But the bylaws are. About what I expected. a Director or Officer can only be removed by a vote of the BoD. So, to answer ms6073 question, doesn't look like it. Edit: Thanks ms. No interest in calling anyone out publicly or even talking about this much publicly, just trying to figure out WTF is going on and where to apply leverage to get trails back open. But, that depends on what's causing the problem. If what you wrote is accurate, I'm not surprised it went that way. Actually surprised it took that long. Read the bylaws. All the power is vested in the BoD. Members have the right to pay dues, vote once a year, and attend meetings. It's what I alluded to earlier. Decisions made by a Board have disenfranchised thousands of trail users, most of whom aren't even members of that particular org.
There is no notice of closure on the website or the phone line for DL mtn bike trails. I called the Ranger office in New Waverly. She said they are DL trails are closed. I said there was no notice of closure. She said there are concerns. She said that she did not know why they were closed or what the concerns were. She transferred me to the ranger. I left a voice mail.
