| ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN'S LEAGUE, INC. | |
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MEETING MINUTES January 9, 2003 |
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| Opening | |
| The monthly meeting of the
ACSLI was held at 7:30 p.m. in the Gold Room of the Allegheny County
Courthouse.
CONSERVATION PLEDGE "I give my pledge as an American, to save and faithfully defend from waste, the natural resources of my Country; the soil, the water, the air, the minerals, the plant life and the wildlife. This is my Pledge." CLUBS AND AGENCIES PRESENT: 1. Bakerstown Beagle 10. Dormont-Mt. Lebanon 19. North Boros 2. Bethel Park Sportsmen 11. East Monongahela 20. Penn's Waters Bass 3. Braddock District S. 12. Elizabeth Sportsmen 21. PGCA 4. Bull Creek R & G Club 13. Forest Grove 22. Pitcairn/Mnrvl 5. Carrick Sportsmen 14. Greater Pgh. Gun Club 23. Renton Rod & Gun 6. Central Beagle Club 15. Logans Ferry Sportsmen 24. Sewickley S & F Club 7. Clairton Sportsmen 16. Millvale Sportsmen's Club 25. Tri County Trout 8. Collier Sportsmen 17. McKeesport Sportsmen 26. TCWA 9. Coraopolis Dist. Sportsmen 18. Mt. Nebo Sportsmen 27. W Deer Sportsmen 28. W PA Taxidermy PGC PFBC President Harry Lewellen called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance and the Conservation Pledge were given in unison. Guests were introduced from the Izaak Walton League of America; L.C. Brown, President, Ray Koffler, Secretary. A video and talk explaining the IWLA's purpose. Mr. Brown reminded those present of the similarity of their conservation pledge to the ACSL's pledge, stating that both organizations seem to be of the same mind and similar objectives. They too work with the PGC and PFBC, and youth. They are now international. A seven hundred free memberships was offered to individuals for one year; thereafter, $27.00 yearly. More about this organization can be learned at their website: www.iwla.org. Interest in establishing a Pittsburgh Chapter was expressed. |
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| COMMUNICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE | |
| Letters of thanks to donors to
the PSP lawsuit; IWLA correspondence. |
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| Pennsylvania Fish &Boating Commission | |
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WCO Bob Wheeler reported late winter stocking has begun
through February. Pgh. Boat Show 1/24-26; 1/31-2/2; Washington Sport Show 2/6-9; fish for free days May 24 and June 7. Dec. 9 the governor signed into law the mandatory education for boaters-persons born after Jan. 1, 1982. Scheduled course dates: 1/11/ and 1/25; 2/8, 3/8, 4/12 of 2003. Registration form and fee must be received one week prior to course date. Phone: 412-856-5400 or 800-345-9772 for forms from the W.PA Safety Council or courses are available on internet at www.fish.pa.state.us. State record white bass - Conneaut Lake - 3lb 15oz. |
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| Pennsylvania Game Commission | |
| WCO Jack Candek and Rich Brant,
Gary's fellow officers were introduced. The Commissioners recent meeting gave preliminary approval to the Wildlife Management Units (22) and will be adopted at the April meeting. Elk and waterfowl are not a part of these units and will be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Deer seasons for 2003/2004 will remain the same. Antler restrictions will continue with specific antlerless licenses in certain areas. More details to follow. Small game opportunities will expand with an additional two weeks. Final approval to regulate and prohibit intentional feeding of bears-90% of incidents were caused by bear conditioned to being fed by people. Final approval to prohibit use of handguns and muzzleloaders for big-game animals. Future Commissioner meetings-4/7, 8; 6/16,17; 10/6,7 Bear harvest - 3rd highest ever-2,654, largest bear 761 lbs. Carelessness or negligence prompted the $500 fine to hunters; none in the S.W. region. Mistaken kills were lower than reported. Hunting related shooting incidents down from 14 to 10 in 2002/03 season. 14 point deer illegally killed (seen in Sewickley Hts.) week after closed season; 11 point roadkill in S.Fayette. Both mounts will be displayed in Harrisburg. the PGC website www.pgc.state.pa.us. |
DEER CREEK PROJECT |
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No Report
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C O M M I T T E E S |
| Sporting Arms and Information & Legislation | |
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Mike Slavonic's report http://www.acslpa.org
ACSL lawsuit against PSP to be heard 3/3/2003 in Pittsburgh, Supreme Court Court room at 9 a.m.Rm. 801. Everyone is encouraged to attend and listen to the arguments. This could be the final debate on this matter, because only one of three decisions could be rendered from the court: 1. we win and the case is finished; 2. we win and the case is remanded to a lower court to carry out the decision; 3. we loose and the case is finished.This will be the first time Ed Rendell is sued as governor AG Mike Fisher has not responded to the ACSL's request to review the conduct of Goods for Guns. North Dakota AG has announced reciprocity agreement with PA according to N.D. website. |
CONSERVATION |
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Jack Walters stated that Secretary David E. Hess has asked the
state Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board for help in assuring treatment of
orphan mine discharges created when companies responsible for the discharges go
bankrupt. Taxpayers in the Commonwealth are facing this burden at present. Secy.
Hess stated we need to look for new alternatives. Gov. Mark Schweiker addressed the 25 members of the Homeland Security Advisory after they were sworn in; Stating that partnerships at the community, state and national level will better protect PA against terrorist attack. Every year, more than 150 homes and businesses are damaged by the collapse of under-ground abandoned mines. The Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund has increased the maximum coverage available for residential structures from$150,000 to $250,000. This action by the administration will provide homeowners the opportunity to purchase even more protection against damages. The Schweiker administration announced more than $4.3 million to support watershed restoration projects The Allegheny County Conservation District has received $5,000 for the organization of the Deer Creek Watershed Association. |
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| Game Committee | |
| Mike Maranche reporting on wolves decimating the elk herd in Yellowstone; further update in northeastern AZ a super pack of Mexican wolves has been re-introduced. A farmer lost 70% of his live-stock herd in two years.The AZ and N.Mexico Wildlife Assn. wants more say-so in managing the wolf population. The British Press-London Telegraph stated "in response to the rising number of complaints from farmers, the Federal Fish and Wildlife Service announced last week that within Wyoming, Idaho and Montana the status of gray wolves would be reduced from endangered to threatened and that federal protection of the animals would be ending in the spring. Wyoming has announced that the law that classifies wolves as predators and allows them to be shot on sight would be re-introduced except in a few federal wilderness areas where hunting will be regulated. The Fish and Wildlife Service has been monitoring the well-being of the wolf population before deciding if similar steps will be taken in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin where they have other wolf programs that are now thriving. Hopefully the wolf population and recovery program will be under control before we wind up with a pack up in the Allegheny National Forest. Mike offered video for distribution on CWD in Wyoming. | |
| Fish & Clean Streams Committee | |
| Frank Sparrow reported the Deer Creek update the judge threw out the appeal. PennFutures will take it to the Supreme Court. The statement "it's all politics" says it all. | |
| Policy & Budget | |
| No report | |
| Organizing | |
| Chairman, By-Laws Committee, Mike Slavonic, stated we would vote on all changes in one sitting, without reading the changes again. VOTE WAS UNANIMOUS TO ACCEPT THE CHANGES. A copy of the Constitution and By-Laws of the ACSL, Inc. will be given to all member clubs. | |
| Public Relations | |
| No report. | |
| Allegheny Sport Travel and Outdoor Show | |
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Henry Hoffman stated that the Show is in need of exhibitors,
especially fishing tackle suppliers, and asked that suggestions be given to him
so that he may contact them. Call Henry at 412-829-2386. The school program will be Thursday, the 13th at 8:30 a.m. Help is needed at the ExpoMart. Passes will be mailed to delegates who are working the beef jerky booths. |
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| Banquet | |
| FOX CHAPEL YACHT CLUB-Joe Cersosimo reminded everyone to turn in their ticket stubs as soon as possible. Call the secretary with your sportsman of the year suggestion. There will be a committee meeting on Monday, January 13, 2003, 7:30 p.m. at Sally Barnett's home. Final plans will be made so if you have some input, call Sally for directions to her house at 1028 Hulton Road-phone- 412-793-4437, e-mail salbarnett@nb.net. | Youth Day |
| 7/26/03 Millvale Sportsmen's Club, Inc. - Frank requests if you haven't signed up to help, please do so. The Springtime Majesty print donated by the National Wild Turkey Federation/Allegheny Chapter, was won by a member of the West Deer Sportsmen's Club. Proceeds from tickets sales will be used for the ACSL YouthDay. | |
| Unfinished Business | |
| Unfinished Business-The ACSL new website http//:www.acslpa.org | New Business |
| Gary Fujak reminded those present that the calculated deer harvest will be reported in March. | |
| For the Good of the Organization | |
| No Report | Auditing Committee |
| Audit Committee Report is given at the end of each fiscal year. | |
| Nominating Committee | |
| No Report | |
| Treasurer's Report | |
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Joe Connors, Treasurer, presented his report; it being accepted
without question.
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Adjournment |
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Kim Stolfer, FOAC Chairman and delegate of Greater Pgh. Gun Club
won the door prize. Adjournment was called for at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sara Barnett, Secretary
REMINDERS! ! ! ALLEGHENY SPORT, TRAVEL AND OUTDOOR SHOW FEBRUARY 12-16 EXPOMART CLUBS CAN REPRESENT THEMSELVES AT THE LEAGUE BOOTH - HANDING OUT LITERATURE ETC. ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN'S LEAGUE & ALLEGHENY COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT BANQUET FOX CHAPEL YACHT CLUB MARCH 8, 2003 MONDAY, JANUARY 13-7:30 P.M. BANQUET COMMITTEE MEETING (Sally Barnett's home) CLUBS! GET YOUR NOMINEES IN FOR SPORTSMAN -412-793-4437 mail your ticket stubs to ACSL P.O. Box 112, Verona, PA 15147 or to Joe Cersosimo at 82 McKinnie Ave., McKees Rocks 15136 speaker/radio personality Jack Bogut is one of the best - wjas 1320 - 6-10 a.m. come out for a great evening of good food and fun! Cash bar open at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. |
Special Meeting Notes |
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PLEASE NOTE - if you have an E-mail address - and would like the minutes sent to your E-mail, send it to Mike Slavonic at acsl@nauticom.net. or Sara Barnett at salbarnett@nb.net |
Next Regular Meeting |
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There will be no February Meeting of Delegate because of the Sports Show.
However, a meeting of the Board of Directors will take place at the show. Next regular meeting of the ACSL will be in the GOLD ROOM-ALLEGHENY COUNTY COURTHOUSE March 13, 2003, meeting begins at 7:30 PM Everyone is welcome! ! ! ACSL on the Internet http://www/acslpa.org Email Address: acsl@nauticom.net |
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