The never-ending rails and trails debate.

So, briefly, in 1968 we were among the few snowmobilers to make the trip to our camp on Tug Hill. I think we saw one other snowmobile that weekend.

Fast-forward to 1980; Tug Hill becomes the place to ride – a hidden gem where snowmobilers come from all over Central and Western New York, including myself. A business community is being born to cater to and support the riders.

1990s, business booms, new restaurants, dealerships, repair shops, bars, overnight accommodations, an economy that is accelerating at a pace that is unrivaled in the state. Not just on Tug Hill but all of the little towns and villages in proximity to Tug Hill.

Today there is an entire economy based on snowmobiles and four-wheelers on and around Tug Hill. The old railroad tracks have been gone for a long time, allowing that area to be used as a trail system.

Obviously, four-wheelers do not fit into this plan as our summer economy is solid.

In 1995, my wife and I took the trails on our snowmobiles to our camp in Lake Clear. The trails were the best I had ever seen except for maybe Canada. The ride and scenery from Cranberry Lake were just fantastic, and the various clubs along the way did an outstanding job of trail maintenance and signage. In addition, a trail system connecting Tug Hill to the Adirondacks was being proposed.

Upon reaching the trail “down the tracks,” I became very concerned. There was essentially one lane down the middle of the tracks; you could not move over for oncoming snowmobiles because of the rails protruding through the snow.

Everyone had to converge to lift sleds over the rails and then back to allow two-way traffic.

I eventually broke the entire ski assembly off my new snow machine trying to get over the rails under my own power, and I went right over top of the sled, breaking the windshield. My wife was virtually terrified driving down the tracks with the possibility of an oncoming snowmobile. The fun was over, and we have never ridden the railroad again.

So the obvious question is where were the Adirondacks and Franklin County during this boom? This business opportunity was right there and continues growing even today, and Tug Hill has exceeded its capacity for a number of years.

Minus the four-wheelers, there would still be many opportunities for business with aggressive advertising and word of mouth. This would pull an awful lot of those Tug Hill riders over here due to the present overcrowding, same boring trails and poor maintenance on Tug Hill.

Once they experience Adirondack riding, I am almost certain they would become a staple in this region. Based on word of mouth alone, I would anticipate a huge increase in snowmobile use here.

But oh, those tracks. I can absolutely guarantee that the Tupper Lake-Saranac Lake trail system would be avoided like the plague by those new riders after one experience with the tracks as they stand today.

Consequently, this just translates into a major opportunity for the Adirondacks other than the Saranac-Tupper section. Franklin County would see little benefit because of the current rail trail. Other counties and Adirondack towns could possibly see a dramatic increase in winter visitors.

As for the environmental impact, most snowmobilers respect signage and utilize the trail system exclusively. Tug Hill is extensively monitored by local sheriffs deputies, the Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Police to ensure speed limits, trail-only riding, environmental impact and safety. The monies generated by the increase in business allow police expansion, jobs, new business and, most importantly, lower taxes.

With the Adirondacks offering maybe the best trail systems in New York, fantastic scenery and support from the community, it’s a win-win proposition.

It would also be a great asset for bikers and hikers, who would also provide business and more recreational opportunities and jobs.

The snowmobilers are here to stay and are allowed to do so. They should be welcomed and bonds formed in lieu of personal views.

Are the Adirondacks and particularly Franklin County going to continue to miss the boat for “old times’ sake,” especially when jobs are scarce and most of the young people leave the area as soon as possible?

Until the tracks are removed and the snowmobilers are made welcome and encouraged to visit this area with a proper infrastructure, we will continue to remain stagnant in winter and completely dependent on the summer tourism for a living and tax base.

As they say, it’s better late than never, but we can’t focus on what we left behind. The time for debate has passed. Now we need to focus on the future and all get behind something that will benefit everyone.

Now is the time to move forward in action and thinking for everyone here, especially the young people.

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Curt Squier lives in Lake Clear and is a former columnist for the Nantucket Beacon.