Loss of Salem Woods

Salem Woods is under Threat of expansion of a 9 hole Golf Coarse that is threatening to expand for 18 holes into what is left of the park. Salem already has a full 18 holes elsewhere into the city.

The total size of the park is 300 acres, and the Golf Coarse currently owns half that land. They want the second half, leaving Salem with No Open space of City Owned Property. I have already ID some vernal pools that currently exists. Also there is 60 acres of Conservation Swamp Land abutting this property that will fall victim to Pesticide and fertilizer run-off. Need some facts about water run off, and water consumption for a typical 18 hole coarse. Salem is on the limit of Water it can draw from the local river by law.

I attended a meeting last night at Salem City Hall. The commission of 17 folks is 7 opposed and 10 pro Golf. It also seems that the members that are Pro Golf are also on the Parks and Rec department. Seems like Job Survival more then anything else.

The proponents biggest claim is it will generate money for the city. We need to kill that claim.

This can be stopped, over 50 Salem Residents showed up in opposition to the expansion.

Does anyone have any real numbers on Local Golf Coarse expansion, and revenues for the last 5 years. From what was said last night, many Golf Courses are running deficits for the last few years, cause there are too many Golf Courses and not enough players. I need access to some facts.

I am in contact with the Friends of Salem Woods, the president sits on this counsel that was formed.

The next meeting is set for September.

Please pass this on to anyone that can help me, and have them contact me directly on this issue.

Michael Salerno ???

[knucklebuste]

Hey as long as the builders and the golf club owners get rich right?
They don't even phucking live life do they? They are too worried about $$$$$. MORE. MORE. MORE. MORE
It's never enough for them is it? RAPE the land. RAPE the land, till there is nothing but houses. Yeah I'm guilty of a new house too, but it diddn't get built over any pristine singletrack. GO NUTS ON EM DUDE. I'm not in Salem, but I'd go to the meeting and say exactly what I'm saying here. Actually I probably shouldn't go caus this shite gets me in a rage and you wouldn't want to take the lid off of 32 years of rage built up inside would ya?
Knuck

[knucklebuste]

Oh yeah and F GOLF.
The elitist pig greedy executive stingy as* prime rib eating fat bas*ard sport. If you can even call it a sport. LAZY *UCKERS.
F GOLF
knuck

[Justin]

Hi Mike, its Justin, we've ridden on Tuesdays. I've spoken to Dan, owner-Salem Cycle, and suggested to him that he should place some sort of small business claim for a loss of business resulting from the loss of the woods. He is willing to help but doesn't know who to complain to or what type of claim he needs to make. I forgot what it was that you told me, so if you could get us some info to use that would be great. You can e-mail Dan at Dan@SalemCycle.com or me at justin.walsh@thermo.com. Also are there going to be any more meetings that I or Dan could attend?

Still riding on tuesdays?

[fatire]

Mike,
Sorry to hear of your trouble.
Suggest you officially contact your chapter's President and Board of Directors (see the website or write pk@nemba.org for the all the names and e-mails) and advise them of this and request their help. As you probably know, NEMBA takes trail loss very seriously and you'll get a sh_tload of help but don't rely on this posting as the sole means of firing the flares as this is too important.