Think spring with the X-tra Mile ATV Club

PARIS — Spring and the ATV season are rapidly approaching.

With that in mind, the X-tra Mile ATV Club in Paris will be hosting a meet and greet for residents curious about their operations.

The event will take place on Wednesday, April 13 at 7 p.m. at Colby's Arctic Cat on Route 26 in South Paris, and will include a talk from, and question and answer session with, Regional Vice President of ATV Maine Mike Worthley.

Mark Stearns, a spokesman for the club, said that the club has the meet and greet every year, but is hoping for more people than in years past. The club has attracted attention from the press and residents this year due to a public dispute with some Paris landowners.

"We normally invite everybody but this year we've had some press and people might have some questions so we're just advertising it out a little more," said Stearns.

He anticipates that some in the community may have some questions about the organization, even if they don't intend to join.

[The attention has] brought up various questions as to trail laws, how the club works, things like that," Stearns said. "We'll mostly just talk about how the club works and functions."

Worthley was chosen because of his experience working with ATV clubs and a reputation for developing friendly relations with landowners who don't ride but are affected by ATV use.

"He's been involved in ATVing for years and he's also the regional VP for ATV Maine," said Stearns. "He's either the current president or former president of the Roxbury Club which is quite successful. They've been going for years and have a lot of trail and a lot of good landowner relations."

Stearns says the theme of the night will most likely be landowner relations.

"We need to stay in good relation with landowners if we intend to have trails," he said. "We have to help them out and do what's right and hopefully convince everyone else to do what's right."

Refreshments will be served to those in attendance, and all who join the club for the 2011 season will receive a free club hat or shirt. Those interested and with questions ahead of time can check out the club's website, www.thex-tramileatvclub.com, or contact it over the phone at 743-3870.