ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN’S LEAGUE, INC.

DECEMBER 8, 2005 MEETING

 

The monthly meeting of the ACSL was called to order by President Maranche at 7:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance and Conservation were recited in unison.

 

CLUBS AND AGENCIES ATTENDING:

 

BAKERSTOWN BEAGLE                   FOREST GROVE               PENN HILLS

BETHEL PARK SPORTSMN.            HOMESTEAD                   PITCAIRN/MONROEVILLE

BRADDOCK DISTRICT             LOGANS FERRY                POLICE ROD & GUN C.

BULL CREEK                                  MCDONALD                                 RENTON R & G

CLAIRTON                                       MCKEESPORT                   TURTLE CREEK W.S.

DORMONT/MT.LEBANON            MILLVALE                         W DEER SPORTSMEN

E MONONGAHELA             MT. NEBO                                    W PA TAXIDERMISTS

                                                PENN’S WATERS BASS BUSTERS

Motion was made and seconded (Satterfield/Stolfer) to accept the November minutes as mailed. Motion carried.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT – Joe Connors gave his itemized report, which was accepted without question. (Cersosimo/Stolfer)

 

COMMUNICATIONS – bulletins from CCRKBA and GOA SUPPORTING GUN OWNERS AND THEIR RIGHTS; notice from The Allegheny Front series on white-tailed deer management (www.alleghenyfront.org) or WYEP 91.3 FM; 12/14 Chronic Wasting Disease;  The NRA Foundation’s Pa’s 1st Friends fund raising banquet February 11, 2006 at STRATIGOS Banquet Center; honoree forms for banquet March 11, 2006; Penn’s Woods Pointing Dog Trainers seminar 2/25/06 at Jaden’s, Monroeville.

 

Report of District Waterways Officer – WCO Larry Furlong reporting the 2006 fishing license is available; water is high and creeks not frozen so trout fishing is good;  Erie steelhead fishing is good;  biologists, entry level, are being sought for the PFBC; Stan Caldwell reported  his interview for the 2nd District PFBC went well; Governor Rendell and his Advisory Council/ Fishing and Hunting, will choose from the list of candidates and this will be passed on to the state senate. 

 

COMMITTEES

 

LEGISLATIVE – Chairman Kim Stolfer reporting gun issues have been quiet and pay raises have taken precedence – citizens’ involvement can make a difference.

 

HB1717 – PFA law; there are many good measures in HB1717 such as a first in ANY state in the nation,  an unjustly accused individual now can sue civilly for false accusations AND perjury charges can be instituted. The PA Sportsmen’s Assoc. and the ACSL did not support this bill because it contained some bad features; they will continue to work on changing it.  IF 10% of the PA gun owners would give a few hours of their time, we could change the remaining problems in the domestic violence law by the end of the year.

 

HB544 (election law – bureau of elections to give candidate information to requesting organizations); tell your legislator to support this bill in the House.

 

Result of Kim’s request of John Hohenwarter to pro-active agenda, the Castle Doctrine HB2231 will shield citizens in defending themselves on the street from unethical prosecution in a civil court case.  

 

Clubs should continue to be aware of fear of “eminent domain”. Contact your senators to fix this bill.

 

Archery hunters are not permitted to carry a sidearm while hunting.

 

CONSERVATION – Jack Walters reporting that Pennsylvania has taken aggressive action to clean up our waterways, including mandatory discharge reductions on sewage treatment plants and other major sources. $625 million has been invested through the Governor’s Growing Greener program.  

 

Homeowners can check a new Website to see whether their houses are sitting above or near an abandoned mine. (www.paMSI.org)

 

GAME – The PGC Board of Commissioners selects Carl Roe as Agency’s next Executive Director, succeeding Vern Ross.

SB868 (IF PASSED) will triple what the PGC pays to townships where State Game Lands exist. From 0.40 per acre to $1.20 per acre.  Senator Robbins, Kusinich, Pippy to name a few supporters.

 

HB1528 (passed 192 yeas, 2 nays) to eliminate the licensing requirements of taxidermists.

 

HB2256 introduced and referred to Game and Fisheries Committee creating a “Beginner Hunting License”,  cost $4.00;  for small game and turkey. Beginner is permitted to carry a firearm or bow while accompanied by an unarmed parent, guardian or family member.

 

HB2205 introduced and referred to Game and Fisheries Committee providing for a record of license sales, paving the way for point-of-sale licensing system. On line in early 2007.

 

PUBLIC RELATIONS – Dave Bagaley has spoken with Mark Harley of Melissa Hart’s office regarding posters for the Congresswoman’s Sportsmen’s Advisory Board; ACSL suggestions were accepted graciously.

 

SPECIAL COMMITTEES

 

ALLEGHENY SPORT, TRAVEL & OUTDOOR SHOW – Feb. 15-19, 2006 needs ex-hibitors; contact Henry at (412-829-2386) ; the contract for the trout pond has been accepted.

 

BY-LAW COMMITTEE – Second reading of Articles II –V

Article III – Power of Authority; Section C – To promote the protection and restoration of waterways, forests, aquatic life, wildlife and all pertinent natural resources essential to afford a perfect balance in nature.

Article IV – Agenda, Section 9. D, Nominating Committee (chosen by ACSL President at August meeting to submit nominations at September meeting)

Article V – Section 4 – Upon the election of membership; Section 5 – Club dues shall be paid by 1 January of each year. If dues are paid later than 31 March of the year in which they are due, the club shall be considered delinquent and shall be placed on the Inactive Roster. Inactive member clubs are ineligible to vote. After three (3) years on the Inactive Roster for nonpayment of dues the club shall be expelled from the ACSL and shall release all rights and privileges.

 

SPORTSMEN OF THE YEAR BANQUET – MARCH 11, 2006 – FUTULE’S HARMAR HOUSE, Chairman Joe Cersosimo requested prizes from clubs; club presenting an honoree must have at least one representative present with the honoree.

Tickets are available from Joe Cersosimo, (412-331-3412); $30.00 per person. Information is available on the ACSL website (www.acslpa.org) SEE details about the program booklet and honoree form included with minutes.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – CLUBS should check the ACSL website to be sure your club information is accurate. PLEASE NOTIFY Jack Walters (412-884-2148) e-mail

Jack.walters@verizon.net for changes on website and directory.

 

NEW BUSINESS – Open House in honor of Henry Burkhart Saturday, Dec.17, 2005

4-8 p.m. at Millvale Sportsmen’s Club. Everyone is welcome!

 

Keystone Cold Water Conference, 2/24-25, 2006.  Frank Sparrow will attend; monies from the Fish and Clean Streams budget will cover this expense; Frank will be reimbursed.

 

 DRAWING was won by Jim Davidson, Delegate of Penn’s Waters Bass Busters.

Jim donated his winnings to the ACSL YouthDay.

 

Meeting adjourned (Stolfer/Christeson) at 9:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Sara Barnett

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ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN’S LEAGUE, INC.

NEXT MEETING

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2006

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!