Changes to VDOT Hauling Permits

A meeting was held in Southside Virginia between a group of VLA Board members and Wayne Davis, VDOT hauling permit program manager. Davis explained a number of changes that have been made to permits. It is important to note that you must follow the guidelines of the permit you are currently using so check them carefully. New permit stipulations include that your tree length permit will now allow an overhang of 14 feet, it was 10 feet in the past. You still are only allowed a maximum total length of 75 feet for tree length.
For Over Width Permits you can now purchase that permit for the trailer and not the truck or trucks that pull the trailer. This will allow you to permit the lowboy and pull with any truck. This will save having to buy multiple permits for the trucks used to pull the lowboy. If you use multiple lowboys a permit will be needed for each unit. Another important change is the escort requirement. If your total width is 12 feet or under you do not need an escort vehicle. You are still required to have your over width signs, markings, and flashing amber light.
President Ronnie Wright was very pleased with the meeting and feels these changes are a step in the right direction and will provide significant cost savings to Virginia Loggers. Davis is open to meeting with loggers to discuss issues and he can be reached at 804-497-7121.

VLA Meeting Lexington Aug 27 -28 Registration

2010 ANNUAL MEETING REGISTRATION

Holiday Inn Express
880 N. Lee Highway
Lexington, VA 24450
August 27-29, 2010

The Virginia Loggers Association is pleased to announce our Annual meeting, to be held in Lexington, Virginia August 27-30. Please plan to join the members of YOUR association at our 8th Annual meeting. Our featured guest for the weekend is Bobby Goodson, Owner of Goodson All Terrain Logging in Jackson, NC. Bobby is best known as the Swamp Logger on the Discovery Channel TV series. Bobby and his wife Lori will be on the tour Friday and Saturday morning he will speak about his experience working with A TV crew.
The event will feature a tour of the Greif Brothers paper mill in Riverville Friday morning and lunch will be provided at a scenic site on the James River. This event will also provide three (3) SHARP Logger credits. The ladies group will tour the Lee Museum at Washington and Lee University then travel to the VMI grounds and museum. Friday night you will have the opportunity to socialize with Legislators and State Officials at our hosted reception.
Saturday will begin with the Breakfast Membership meeting. The morning program will include a presentation by Scott Barrett of the SHARP Logger program and Dr Chad Bolding with Virginia Tech Industrial Forestry will speak about the current woody biomass market and harvesting Bobby Goodson will then give a presentation on his experience with the Discovery Channel and take questions. The program attendance will provide three (3) SHARP Logger credits. Saturday afternoon will be free for you to tour historic Lexington, or tour the Virginia Horse center.
Saturday evening we will conclude with a reception and “Cowboy Fixins” dinner complete with a hole pig roast on the back patio. Wear your cowboy hats and boots. The Kountry Kickers from Covington will also be joining us once again and music will be provided. Through out the weekend many of our supporting members will have display booths set up and Sharp Logger continuing education credits are available for both the tour and meeting.



SCHEDULE


Friday August 27 – Holiday Express

Registration 7:30 – 8:30 AM
Greif Mill Tour Departs Hotel - 9:00
Lexington Historic Tour Departs Hotel – 9:00
Lunch – James River - 1:00
Legislators Reception 6:00 – 8:00
Dinner on your own

Saturday August 28 – Holiday Inn Express

Registration 7:30 - 8:00 AM
Breakfast and Annual Membership Meeting 8:00
Invited Speakers – 9:00
Scott Barrett, Virginia Sharp Logger report 10:00
Chad Bolding – Virginia Tech –10:30
Bobby Goodson – Discovery Channel Logging
Lunch on your own
Afternoon Free
Reception 6:00
Western Dinner 7:00 – 9:00
Forestry Mutual Logger of the Year Award
Sponsor Awards
Presidents Award
Passing of the Gavel
Entertainment - Kountry Kickers & Dance Music 9:00 – 11:00


Sunday August 29 – Safe Travel Home



Kickin’ It Up With the VLA

Come join in on the fun with the Virginia Loggers Association at the Annual Meeting Dinner at 6PM on Saturday, August 28, 2010. Wear your western attire, best dressed will receive a prize. The night will begin with a social from 6-7 PM (open bar). At 7 PM enjoy the Cowboy Fixins’ Dinner, followed by a brief meeting and awards. The night will conclude with entertainment by the Kountry Kickers Clogging Group of Covington, VA and music for fun and dance from 9-11 PM. Bring your entire family for the fun! There will be something for everyone to enjoy! Cowboy hats for kids, raffles, a 50/50, and a Chinese auction benefiting Log-A-Load for Kids Children’s Miracle Network and the Virginia Logger’s Association.

JOIN US AND KICK IT UP WITH THE VLA FOR GOOD FOOD, ENTERTAINMENT, AND FUN!!!









VLA MEETING REGISTRATION (Please Print)
Return by August 15, 2010

Company______________________________________________

Name: ____________________________ (Spouse) ____________

(Children)_____________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________

______________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________

# Attending________@ $100.00_____________ @75.00_______

Please List Us as a Sponsor $250_____ or Supporter $100_____

Total $___________


I/We will attend the following:

Friday Greif Mill Tour # ______
Friday Historic Lexington Tour #______
Friday Legislative Social#______
Saturday Breakfast /Membership Meeting______
Saturday Reception and Dinner_____



Hotel Registration
Holiday Inn Express
880 N. Lee Highway
Lexington, VA 24450
540-463-7351
Fax 540-463-5464

Please contact the hotel directly for reservations. The Virginia Loggers Association has a block of rooms reserved at a discount rate of $119.99 double & $124.99 king per night for Thursday Aug 26th, Friday Aug 27th, and Saturday Aug 28th. The cut off date for reservations is August 10th. Ask for the VLA rate.