Dear Ryan Eickmeir,

We are writing to you collectively on behalf of the volunteers of District 5 to acknowledge the significant and longstanding contributions of Martin Timmermans to our snowmobiling community.

For many years, Martin has been a dedicated and deeply committed volunteer whose passion for organized snowmobiling has had a meaningful impact across our district. In addition to trail staking and sign installation, Martin has historically performed extensive maintenance on our groomers, driven groomers during the season, and provided low-cost storage in a heated garage. His knowledge, time, and willingness to support operations have been invaluable to District 5.

We fully respect the OFSC’s no-tolerance policy and understand the seriousness with which allegations must be treated. At the same time, we feel it is important to express our concern that Martin’s passion and strong advocacy for snowmobiling may have been misinterpreted as aggression. In more than 30 years of organized snowmobiling involvement, this is the first instance in which allegations of personal attacks or threats have ever been raised regarding Martin. This situation is entirely out of character when viewed against his long history of service.

We acknowledge and accept the OFSC’s direction that Martin will no longer be permitted to communicate with or attend any OFSC-led events, including online forums and conventions, and that he will no longer be allowed to work on or with OFSC-owned assets or equipment, including groomers. We also understand and accept the requirement that, should the District continue to work with Martin in any capacity, all associated costs must be funded using non-permit dollars, with no involvement of provincially owned assets or permit-funded resources.

That said, as a District, we respectfully ask that consideration be given to a probationary approach. We believe Martin should be placed on probation from all OFSC-led events for a defined period, while still being permitted to participate in District-level activities where appropriate and where oversight can be maintained. We feel this would allow Martin the opportunity to demonstrate accountability, growth, and his ability to conduct himself in a manner aligned with OFSC expectations, with the possibility of future reinstatement following a successful probationary period.

Martin has been, and remains, an important part of organized snowmobiling in our region. Our hope is that this matter can be approached in a way that upholds OFSC policies while also recognizing decades of positive contribution and allowing for the possibility of restoration over time.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and continued support of District 5 and its volunteers.

Sincerely,
The Volunteers of District 5, Southwestern Ontario Snowmobile Region