[at-l] Maine AT report

[ellen at clinic.net (Bob C.)]

>"...The MATC gave the Kennebec ferry contract to the *highest* bidder. Locals
>had bid several thousand dollars less than NOC, but weren't awarded the
>contract. I guess it's better to pay a corporation $14,500 than to pay local
>hiker-friendly folks $8500." thinks TJ.

The ferry contract was discussed at several MATC board meetings. The eventual
decision was made by a committee. I wasn't a part of that committee, but I can
assure everyone that it wasn't based on a desire to pay a corporation $14,500 in
preference to "local hiker-friendly folks $8500."

  MATC directors typically devote 100, sometimes 200-300, volunteer hours a year
  to the trail. Decisions are not made for frivolous reasons. That doesn't mean
  we always make right decisions -- just the best decisions we can manage given
  our knowledge and wisdom. BTW. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities for
  anyone who might want to help us make our many decisions.

  I forget the precise figures but something like 1,000 volunteers devoted more
 than 20,000 hours to the trail last year. Though we are among the smaller of
 the maintaining clubs, and among the few with long trail sections (12 percent
 of the entire AT) without a paid staff, no group devoted  more volunteers hours
 than did MATC.

  Weary