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January 23, 2006
NC: Laurel Knob Update
Laurel Knob
Photo by Harrison Shull © 2005Laurel Knob? Have you seen the pictures? The Carolina Climber's Coalition needs help financing its purchase of this spectacular area. (A previous WiredNut item here). They've got $40K in the bank with pledges for more loan money possible. Help out and find details here.
Posted by WiredNut at 06:32 PM | Comments (0)
January 13, 2006
New River Gorge: Fayetteville Council Approves Development
Fayetteville, WV.-On Jan. 5 the Fayetteville town council approved the rezoning plan from New River Ledges. The Fayetteville Planning Commission approved the plans previously. 500 homes will be built in two communities, Bridgeview Estates and The Ledges. The company must now submit infrastructure, roadway and building plans to the council.
Posted by WiredNut at 10:40 PM | Comments (0)
January 09, 2006
Red River Gorge: Donations Needed! $21,000 More Needed by June!
Ana on G-String, Bubba City, NRG
Photo by Eric Hörst © 2004Slade, KY.- I've climbed in some premier climbing areas, including the south of France, Thailand, Mexico, and all over the US. But it wasn't until the summer of last year that I found myself at the Red. And I'm here to tell you, it ranks as one of the top areas in the world. If you have ever climbed at the Red, you know what an incredible place it is. And you may have noticed how friendly and active the area's climbing community is. Well, its time now for you to show your commitment to being a good member of the community, by helping keeping a major area at the Red open for climbing.
The amazing commitment put forth so far by the locals in arranging the purchase and financing of new areas is an inspirational example of what a motivated, generous climbing community can do. So far more than $9,000 dollars has been raised. Still, the Red River Climbing Coalition needs your help to service a loan that financed the purchase of the amazing Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve.
This is from the RRGCC Board of Directors:
We would like to extend our thanks to the climbing community for their recent outpouring of support in raising money for the PMRP. The Pendergrass Murray Recreational Preserve is ~700 acres of privately owned climbing property in the southern region of the Red River Gorge. A recent posting on Ray and Michelle Ellington's site raised over $1000 in the first 24 hours! You can send money via PayPal to rrgcc@rrgcc.org (PayPal members only) or use the donation link on the front page of RedRiverClimbing.com You can also send a donation by filling out a membership form and mailing it to:RRGCC
PO Box 22156
Lexington, KY 40522-2156The RRGCC's purchase of the PMRP property has been accomplished by way of a land contract financed by the Murray family. The terms of the contract are quite favorable to the Coalition and the Murray's have been very supportive of our efforts to purchase the property. Our obligation specifically to the Murray family is approximately $30,000.00 yearly for the next 8 years. This figure does not include property taxes or other RRGCC expenses above and beyond the simple resolution of our debt to the Murray family, it is simply the cost of the PMRP and does not include yearly RRGCC operational services. If we are not able to raise this amount from the community as well as from sponsors, we will default on the loan and forfeit the property. Help us preserve climbing access in the PMRP for generations to come! The RRGCC BOD is currently outlining strategic initiatives for 2006 so more info about upcoming fundraising events and volunteer opportunities will be coming soon.
Thank you for your support,
RRGCC Board of Directors
Posted by WiredNut at 06:33 PM | Comments (1)
January 02, 2006
Red River Gorge Climbing Coalition: Board Changes
Jean on Rebar, Red River Gorge, KY
Photo by Pete Mcdermott © 2005Slade, KY. - Dr. Bob Matheny is new RRGCC President and Bill Strachan will assume the position of Executive Director. “Dr. Bob,” as many know him, is a long-time supporter and major RRGCC donor whose generous contributions have helped keep the PMRP going. Strachan will move over and fill the vacant position of Executive Director, becoming only the second ED in RRGCC history. Newest board member Charlie Rittenberry will become Vice President.
Dr. Bob is a Lexington emergency room physician, avid climber, first ascentionist, and a member of the RRGCC since 2001. He has been a board member since 2003, and board secretary for the last two years. Quiet and unassuming, with a dry sense of humor, Dr. Bob is also a member of a local group of climbing friends that affectionately refer to themselves as “Team Suck.” Besides contributing his time and money to the RRGCC Dr. Bob is also the RRGCC master sign maker, responsible for all the hand-routed directional signs that guide climbers on the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve. For a taste of Dr. Bob’s humor and talent, visitors of the PMRP can look for his directional sign to Sore Heel Hollow with a posted speed limit of 7½ mph.
Bill “Capt. Static” Strachan brings a considerable amount of nonprofit experience to the Executive Directorship, having been the past president of the both the RRGCC and Ohio Climbers Association. He has also served on the board of several other nonprofits including the University of Cincinnati Mountaineering Club. Bill is also an avid climber, a RRG first ascentionist, and a Cincinnati environmental engineer. He will head up a small volunteer staff and work closely with Dr. Bob and the rest of the Board to make 2006 a stand out year for the RRGCC. In addition to finding ways to meet the challenge of raising the $30,000 yearly payment needed to keep the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve solvent, he will also make maintain the RRGCC Education and Outreach, Advocacy, and Conversation programs. Specific focus in this regard is monitoring the Forest Service’s on-going LAC process though out 2006.
Charlie Rittenberry, the newest member of Team RRGCC, was welcomed as a new board member earlier this year. He was unanimously elected VP and has also accepted the position as Volunteer Coordinator. As a Project Manager with a professional focus in Knowledge Management, he brings a special interest in “helping improve communication” for the RRGCC. Charlie has signed up for double duty by becoming Volunteer Coordinator, a key volunteer staff position dedicated to working closely with the life-blood of the RRGCC, which is our volunteers.
Ryan Adams will continue to donate his time and much appreciated accounting skills as corporate Treasurer. Shannon Stuart-Smith, will assume Bob’s old position as board Secretary, assisting the new president and ED as board scribe, and continue to act as board legal adviser. Mark Jackson, long-time RRG climber, Certified Arborist, and fellow member of Team Suck, rounds out the current RRGCC board.
Gretchen Finniff, RRGCC past president and board member since 2003, has retired from the Board of Directors to focus on her new toddler, Bryan Berlier and her second child due in late December. The board of directors wishes to thank Gretchen for her many years of service and dedication to the RRGCC. We look forward to meeting the newest addition to the Finniff-Berlier growing clan!
Current Board of Directors and contact info:
Dr. Robert (Bob) Matheny, Jr.
President
859-276-2581
mathenybob@aol.com
Charlie Rittenberry
Vice President
crittenberry@gmail.com
Ryan Adams
Treasurer
Adams.rharris@gmail.com
Shannon Stuart-Smith
Secretary
rawkjock@qx.net
Mark Jackson
Board Member
snakejackson@gmail.com
Current Staff contact info:
Bill Strachan
Executive Director
859-344-9807
cpstatyk@pipeline.com
Charlie Rittenberry
Volunteer Coordinator
crittenberry@gmail.com
Matt Tackett
Local Rep Network Director
redriveroutdoors@gmail.com
Posted by WiredNut at 01:23 PM | Comments (0)