“PCB’s, NYS Sportsmen, sportswomen march on albany and other events”

New York State Sportsmen/women will conduct their annual March on Albany - on Wednesday March 21, 2001. This annual excursion is sponsored by the New York State Conservation Council (NYSCC) the parent organization of all federated sportsmen clubs in NYS, with about 300,000 members. The Orange County Federation of Sportsmen Clubs, headed by President Carmen Heitczman, is sponsoring a bus to transport OCFSC members to Albany for this important event. The OCFSC has approximately 6,000 members. Orange County Sportsmen/women who are non-club members are invited to join the March. If you plan to ride the bus you must call President Heitczman at 782-7449 to register. The bus generally leaves around 6:30 Am and returns in mid afternoon. Club members should contact their respective club officers for information to register for the “March.”

Grievances this year will most likely center around issues such as the proposed hunting and fishing license fee increases and lack of accountability for the increase, Governor Pataki‘s anti-gun legislation enigma that was made into law last year, opening the Hudson River commercial striped bass fishery, the Hudson River PCB tragedy that appears to be the “never ending story,” and 2nd Amendment Issues. The Hudson River is considered to be the largest Super Fund Site due to PCB contamination.

NYS Sportsmen/women from many counties make the trip to Albany meeting in the lobby of the Legislative Office Building for a general assembly. Key legislators and leaders in the hunting and fishing communities speak to attendees of the “March.” After the general assembly, attendees then go to pre-arranged meetings in their respective legislators offices to discuss issues and ask questions.

“Orange County Hudson Highlands - Friends of the NRA” proudly announces their 8th annual Dinner on Saturday March 31, 2001 at 6:30 PM. The dinner will be held at Kuhl’s Highland House Middletown, NY. Tickets are $30.00 each. There will be live auctions, door prizes, bucket raffles etc. For tickets or details contact Carmen Heitczman 845-782-7449 or Don Faenza at 845-534-4759. Clubs or businesses donating an item with a value in excess of $200.00 or anyone buying $60.00 or more of the “Friends” raffle tickets will receive a free dinner ticket. Any club or individual purchasing a table (10 tickets for $300.00 will receive a framed print. Anyone purchasing a sponsor package for $150.00 will receive 2 dinner tickets, 1 sponsor hat, $100.00 worth of bucket raffle tickets and a special edition “NRA duffle bag.” This event is endorsed, promoted and supported by the OCFSC Inc.

The Orange County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited is announcing their Annual Dinner to be held at Black Rock Fish and Game Club of Cornwall on February 24, 2001. Doors open at 5:30 PM and diner starts at 6:oo PM. Tickets are $85.00 per couple or $55.00 per single. Your ticket includes dinner, the opportunity to participate in auctions, drawings plus a one year membership in Ducks Unlimited. Call Tom Montefusco Orange County Chair at 733-5741 or John Kelder Zone Chair for Orange, Ulster, Rockland and Sullivan Counties at 754-7877.

Information from W. Alan Wentz, Ph.D., DU Group Manager for Conservation Programs stated that “The Mission of Ducks Unlimited Inc. is to fulfill the annual life cycle of North American Waterfowl by protecting, enhancing, restoring and managing important wetlands and associated uplands.”

“Most of DU’s 750,000 members are outdoorsmen who celebrate the traditions and the heritage of sport hunting as an integral part of sound wildlife management. While waterfowl hunters are the cornerstone of DU’s habitat programs we welcome all who wish to conserve important wetland habitats. These hunters as well as many others provide the volunteer support and dollars that enable us to conserve habitat.”

“DU will continue to support hunting as an important recreational activity, a tool of wildlife management and a wholesome family activity and we encourage all who enjoy the outdoors to adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct.”

The Orange County Federation of Sportsmen Clubs is sponsoring a “Golf Classic” at the Central Valley Golf Club, 206 Smith Clove Road, Central Valley, NY, on Monday June 25, 2001. The entry fee of $115.00 per person includes golf, dinner, prizes and raffle. Dinner only is $45.00 per person. Contact Steve Rondo at 477-8853 for reservations.

I attended the all day PCB Symposium at the SUNY School of Public Health, Rensselaer NY, on Wednesday February 7. Seven Scientists presented their findings on the effects of PCB‘s in our environment, fish, food, air, water and even mother’s milk. It is important to note that four of the scientists were women. I found the presentations and the presenters to be excellent. The symposium was attended by approximately 250 scientists, doctors, health care professionals, and the general public concerned with our environment. The presenters spoke about the effects PCB’s have on estrogen and testosterone levels, cancers, reproduction, immune systems, learning abilities, reproductive organ size and malformation etc. I did not see any recognizable public servants in attendance. I’ll bet some would have been there if it was sponsored by GE. One presenter spoke about air measurements detecting PCB’s adjacent to the Hudson River above and away from the water. So it appears that PCB’s can escape from the river into the air. More on the PCB saga in future columns.

The red flag goes up when I see certain politicos defend GE and go against the PCB remediation plan for the Hudson River by the EPA. As I see it most public servants usually don’t attend informational meetings of this type. There are a few exceptions - far too few. Perhaps it is because many of our public servants are too closely connected to big business. More citizens need to get involved in overseeing the activities of their own public servants in government. Less than 1% of the citizenry gets directly involved.