2002 Safety Award

Recognizing individuals for their dedication in teaching and promoting safety education and awareness.

Clem Lehrer retired and moved to northern Minnesota in the early 1980's. He immediately became involved in snowmobiling; buying machines and the necessary gear for him and his wife. They joined two local clubs, and the state association, and went to work helping to develop a trail system that connected with other trails as well as access to nearby towns, communities, and businesses.

Clem's expertise as a sign painter became well-known to many as his "Burma Shave", keep right, and information signs started showing up on numerous trails in the area. He was a representative to the Itasca County Snowmobile Alliance where he initiated the first trail mile marker and mapping system. He painted hundreds of these signs as well as information signs and then went out and installed them in their proper places. As an added safety factor, the "Burma Shave" signs are placed where you need to slow down to read them. These signs have since become famous in our area and have been adopted by many other trails throughout the United States and Canada after he presented the concept to everyone present at the International Snowmobile Congress on two occasions (at his own expense).

He was instrumental in developing as well as being a member of the Itasca County Snowmobile Patrol which makes trips more enjoyable for others by handing out maps and suggesting routes of travel, etc. Clem has been the only man that has been allowed into the Women on Snow's banquet held in Minnesota.

He is a long time Firearm Safety Instructor, having been recognized by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. It was only natural that he would become a Snowmobile Safety Instructor. He started teaching these classes in the early 1980's and is still at it today. I don't know if anyone ever kept track of how many students have passed his course but there were a lot of them.

Clem is a charter board member to the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, having served on the Board of Directors. Most of his adult life has been dedicated to making a safer, better and more friendly life for everyone around him. He continues to be a valuable contributor to the direction we are headed in today and to the many lives he has saved along the way.