Tami Vroma-Realtor Grand Rapids Rapids Homes for Sale

Last Saturday we traveled from Grand Rapids, MI to Midland, MI to take part in becoming one voice for our right to ride. As you could tell from my previous article, I was excited!

I would love to give you a glowing report and tell you that the TRAM (Trail Riders Alliance of Michigan) meeting went wonderfully!! Not so much!!! And it makes me so sad because they truly have the right idea. The people that traveled all distances to fight for our "Right to Ride" were very passionate . . when they entered the meeting.

Presentation is everything in a meeting. How you present things will either make or break a meeting. In this case it broke it . . . badly.

The meeting basically started out with an hour of saying thank you to the people who supported them. Then there were presentations by all kinds of different organizations. Michigan Horse Council, The Michigan Horsemen PLU, Michigan Equine Partnership, and many other organizations spoke. The people in the room were constantly trying to write down these names thinking, "Oh this is the one voice".

There were presentations from lawyers and representatives and many others that spoke very passionately about protecting our right to ride. There were a lot of people in the room that can make a huge difference in our fight to keep our trails. The problem was the structure of the meeting.

I got frustrated and got up to clear my head and ended up taking to one of the organizers--possibly Connie Frey from Lansing. My first question was who is our 'one voice'? She then explained to me that while TRAM was a good idea, it became clear that they didn't need to reinvent the wheel. They had found the Back Country Horsemen that was a national organization.

She went on to tell me that in order to be a part of BCH, the state had to have at least two chapters. So they formed the first chapter, "Back Country Horsemen Pigeon River and Beyond". The now needed to form another chapter so that MI had two chapters. They were encouraging people to join their chapter so another chapter could break off of theirs. Too bad very few in the room understood this.

The entire time she was explaining, I felt sad. Once again they were dead on in what they were trying to attempt but they were going about it the wrong way. I explained to her that they should have started out the meeting explaining what was going on. TRAM was no more and that BCH was now the "one voice". I explained to her that the human phyche will see "Pigeon River". The "and Beyond" part will not be translated. They will decide right then and there that this is only about Pigeon River and not all the other places that were loosing trails in Michigan. She kept saying, no they need to see the "and beyond" part. Unfortunately that is not the way the human mind works.

The goal, I believe, was to get two BCH chapters so that then we could have a BCH of Michigan that is under the national.

By this time they were taking questions at the mic. I went up and told them you have a whole lot of really confused people here. The rumble around was definitely with me. I then went on to explain the direction I had been told they were headed in--and it was a good direction. Then Cynthia Kieliszewski got up and started yelling ''no' that TRAM was no more--which is exactly what I had said. She was seriously yelling and seemed extremely unprofessional to me. In the end, we just left the meeting. I have no idea how it will pan out.

The other thing I thought interesting, was that the flyer they gave us to join BCH Pigeon River & Beyond, did not have one phone number or email address on it--not even a website.

Things could have gone so much differently had plans had been made for a smooth presentation. It is all in the understanding of how the human mind thinks. People were there to hear one voice. It could have been accomplished had they immediately laid out their plan to get one voice.

I left my card and told them to call me if they wanted help getting word out about the next meetings and help structuring the next meeting, I would be glad to help. There is also a way to structure a voice on line--all us bloggers know it. There are forums we could put together to meet online regularly--all things I know how to do and how to set up. It is doubtful Miss Cynthia would allow that to happen. It is sad, so sad!! There was a room full of people eager to ban together and in the end they didn't know who to ban with.

So we started our 2 hour trek back to the Grand Rapids Michigan area!

Photo Courtesy -Horses Meet

Riding a horse in Michigan these days seems to be one heck of a battle. Living in a small town outside of Grand Rapids, called Allendale, makes it no different then any where else in Michigan. My home is located on 7 acres bordered by State Land. Many of you have seen my posts, "From my Back Window". What you see in the back is all state land. Most would think I couldn't have a more perfect place to ride . . .NOT!

Three years ago it was owned privately, but we had secured permission to ride the land as long as it wasn't during hunting season--not a problem . .who wants to be out in the woods with gun's going off? Then the state came in and bought the land in connection with Duck's Unlimited. Stupidly, we were ecstatic thinking we would now be able to ride anytime we wanted. The first day the land was owned was January 1. We headed out with a neighbor to enjoy the river and the beautiful snow in the trees only to be stopped by a DNR representative and told to get off! WHAT??!?!?!!

Apparently, the land was to be used as a duck preserve and we weren't allowed on it. The next day there were signs on the back of our property with no horses on them. We talked to everyone we knew who was with Duck's Unlimited, and we knew a lot people. Not one person we talked to cared if we were on the land as long as . . you guessed it . . not during hunting season!! Not a problem!!!

Riding a horse has become such a big deal. Everyone is so scared of being sued. About 4 miles from me is Bass River Recreation area an Equestrian riding area in Allendale, MI. It is actually a part of the land that is behind me. The problem is, we have to hook up the trailer to the truck and load everything up. There is a way there by skirting privately owned land but more than half of the people didn't want us to ride on their land for fear of being sued.

Here in Michigan it has gotten out of control and we are fighting for our right to ride!

Recently, the state all but closed one of the most beautiful riding areas in Michigan. Pigeon River State Forest had one premier riding areas in the state of Michigan. Not only were there miles and miles and miles of trails but there were also sightings of the majestic elk. It the most incredible feeling to ride up to one of those animals--I know . .I've done it! Our state forests are being closed to us one by one by one!

Why do you ask are they closing the state parks to horses? The DNR has claimed user conflict because the horses are transferring noxious weeds and in the case of Pigeon River, are driving the elk from the land. WHAT?!?!!

First of all,horses were here before the all the government rules and land use acts. Our heritage started on horses. Transportation was by horse. Police, firemen . .everyone used horses. Before the existence of cars, man depended on horses. Horses and men have coexisted for years on the same land. I am pretty sure that horses in the 1800's also ate and hence left road apples. Now it is all about horses transferring noxious plants with their road apples.

On Saturday, February 7, 2009, I will travel to Midland to attend a meeting in which they will be laying the foundation for a group called TRAM "Trail Riders Alliance of Michigan". It will be held at Dow Diamond (825 E. Main, Midland)from 2-5 pm. If you would like to fight for your right to ride, please join us as we form an alliance so that we can preserve our right as one united voice.

Photos Courtesy of Seattle Municipal Archives, Claudia Crane's via Flcikr Lady on horse is blog writer

All rights reserved-Tami Vroma- Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate Agent

January is radon awareness month in Michigan. How do I know? Because I just had one of my buyers perform a radon inspection on their potential brand new house . . . . and guess what? The levels were at 15.7 which is almost four times the legal limit.

What does this mean? It means the builder will have to install a system of venting the gas out. It is a relatively easy fix but it MUST be done. Much like your furnace that emits carbon monoxide and is vented out, the radon gas can also be safely vented out. Check out this cool animation that explains radon and how it is vented out HERE.

Many don't even know what radon is. Simply put, radon is a gas by-product of the breakdown of uranium. The gas gets into the soil and it comes up through the foundation of a home. Be aware that radon could care less if your home is 100 or newly built. Every home should be tested before purchase. If you have never done a radon test on your home, HERE is a list of agencies who provide the kits for free.

Take radon seriously. The EPA estimates that 21,000 people per year die from lung cancer caused by radon gas. Would you allow your furnace to run and emit that CO2? Of course NOT!! So if your test comes up positive, just get it taken care of! So how do they do it? This website HERE has some great pictures that explain how the venting system works.

My clients asked an interesting question with regard to radon that I had never heard asked before. How does radon effect your water if you have a well? Hmmm good question I had never thought of. What did cross my mind right away was the fact that radon is a gas so I didn't think it would have anything to do with it. But I want to watch out for the best interest of my client and my thoughts on the this matter don't really count! I wanted to talk to a professional on the subject!

So my first call was to the Kent County Health Department. I talked to sanitarian specialist, Steve Petrides who told me that in some areas of the world, radon is a concern in the water--Michigan is not one of them!!! He went into a long explanation which was way over my head but what it came down to was that the concentrations are extremely small. For further explanation you would need to call him!

Here are some more Radon Links

Radon FAQ

Radon Spotlight

Disclaimer: This blog is written by a real estate agent and is no way intended to be used to make serious decisions regarding radon. It is recommended you call your health department and speak to them directly.

Pictures used by permission of RadonGrandRaids

There is enough bad news in West Michgan so we are going to look at some positive news! The number of active listings in the West Michigan Area have decreased for SIX months in a row. That is very good news! The Five Star brokers sent this out today--they are choosing to have a good attitude and are looking at the bright side!

What does that mean for the average consumer? It means that there is less inventory to compete with. We are by no means out of the woods as we still have a lot of inventory but seeing a downward trend in the number of listings is a step in the right direction!! Any step in the right direction needs to be celebrated!!

Now I know there will be those of you who will want to point out that the bank controlled numbers are still high! I will grant you, that is true but I am choosing to concentrate on the good!!

Here is a chart that shows the numbers:

My scanner isn't scanning right--sorry for the image being crooked!

News Flash: 4-day Texas Hold'em event is scheduled to benefit the Allendale Band and Choir!

You may be wondering why the Band and Choir is working so feverishly to raise money! Did you know that the Allendale Public School Choir and Band was selected to perform at Disney World in the spring 2009? It is quite and honor that has been bestowed on these kids. My own daughter is a part of the Chamber Choir-- I am so proud of her. If you want to check out a performance, you are cordially invited to listen to their Christmas Concert HERE.

We have been selling key cards and pastries and now The Allendale Music Boosters are teaming up with the Holland Poker Zone to raise more money. Here are some of the details:

January 3-6, 2009

4-day Texas Hold'em event (Lic #M44217)
All proceeds to benefit the

Band & Choirs’ Spring 2009 Disney Performance

We will be playing cash games, tournaments and blackjack on the following days:

Saturday, January 3, 12noon - 1am
Sunday, January 4, 2pm - 1am
Monday, January 5, 4pm - 1am
Tuesday, January 6, 4pm - 1am

The Poker Zone offers daily cash games $20 - $300 buy-in all day and tournaments every day!

The Holland Poker Zone is located at the Holland Outlet Center between Branns and Star Theater.

For further information see:

We hope to see you there!

Allendale Public Schools Music Boosters