| ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN'S LEAGUE, INC. | |
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MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 14, 2002 |
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| Opening | |
| The monthly meeting of the ACSL
was called to order at 7:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance and Conservation
Pledge were given in unison. Twenty seven clubs and agencies were in
attendance: Bakerstown Beagle - Helch Coraopolis District - Patton Penn's Waters -Davidson Bethel Park Sportsmen - Walters Dormont-Mt.Leb.- Bloss Pitcairn-Mnrvl-Hoffman Bethel Park Outdoorsmen-Lijewski Elizabeth - Collura Renton R & G -Girdich Braddock Dist. - Mazik Forest Grove - Cersosimo Sewickley - Fluharty , Carrick Sportsmen - Slavonic Greater Pgh. - Stolfer Tri County - Sparrow., Central Beagle - Emanuelson, McKeesport - McWilliams TCWA - Connors Clairton - Maranche, Millvale - Fitzgerald W Deer - Bageley Collier Twp. - Micklo Mt. Nebo - Fischer W PA Taxider. - Fundy North Boros - Baker PA Game Commission - Beth Fife PF&BC - Maratha Mackey Guest: Collier Twp. Sportsmen, CPA Joe Mallino |
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| COMMUNICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE | |
| Minutes of the
October meeting were approved as mailed. Prior to the meeting, Guest Joe
Mallino was introduced and gave an update on the finances of the league. A
question and answer period followed. Sympathy cards were signed for the family of Paul Bungo, who served as delegate of the Braddock Dist. Sportsmen for many years; and for Joe Pegher whose wife passed away. Joe has helped at the ACSL YouthDay event for many years. A swearing-in ceremony for the membership of the Collier Twp. Sportsmen was given. |
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| Pennsylvania Fish &Boating Commission | |
| PFBC-WCO MARTHA MACKEY expressed thanks for all those who donated to the Gerry Greiner Memorial in Harmar. Illegal poaching of steelhead in Erie-three individuals were apprehended with 750 lbs. of salmon. Mandatory boater education program - if enacted will require operators born after Jan. 1, 1982 to complete the course and receive the certificate - boats being powered with less than 25 h.p. motors or unpowered boats are exempt. | |
| Pennsylvania Game Commission | |
| PGC-WCO BETH FIFE stated that hunting pressure is down with the excepting of late afternoons and early evenings. However, license sales are up. A new "Safety Zone Program" was explained to club delegates present. Interested clubs can call the PGC toll free number and Beth will give the info. The program consists of pheasant stocking, seedlings, game seed mix and assistance from the PGC in con-trolling 4-wheeler problems. The property must be open to public hunting. Many large bucks have been seen prior to this hunting season. |
C O M M I T T E E S |
| Sporting Arms and Information & Legislation | |
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Chairman Mike Slavonic stated that the ACSL will have to rely on
their lawsuit against the PSP regarding the illegal database; Ed Rendell will
make a greater push for the registry.
State Rep. David Levdansky has made a personal attack leveled at the ACSL Legislative Committee Chair Mike Slavonic. An old issue(1988) was revisited by the State Rep. Levdansky at that time introduced an amendment prohibiting a hunter from possessing his firearm after killing a deer. At that time, the ACSL was concerned that the Levdansky amendment would subject gunowners to theft of their firearms and was in conflict with the Section 6109 of the Uniform Firearms Act for Concealed Carry. The majority of the PA General Assembly agreed with the ACSL and in 1988 amended the Game laws to only prohibit the carrying of a loaded firearm, and exempted anyone with a concealed carry license. Levdansky is one of the leading anti-gun legislators in the PA General Assembly and he has voted 15 out of 20 times against gun owners. A response is posted on the ACSL's Web. KIM STOLFER, CHAIR presented their election report. Kim stated that several candidates won by a landslide in the PA Senate and House, because they stood firm on their position on gun ownership and their opposition to gun control. Reps Teresa Forcier, Daryl Metcalf and Stevenson expressed their sincere gratitude for the efforts of all FOAC members. Gun owners still have their work cut out for them to prevent any anti-gun legislation from being moved. Especially in Pennsylvania, very little if any pro-gun legislation will pass the Governor's desk. The Allegheny County Sheriff's Office was not conforming to the law on the renewal of concealed carry permits. Sen. Jane Orie became involved as a result of constituents contacting her, the sheriff's office very ethically changed the procedures. The Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office was doing the same thing, By December Westmoreland will conform also. HB417 deals with an issue where a person that is convicted of a drug crime and in possession of a firearm or in control of a firearm would get an additional 5 years for having that firearm, along with the conviction of a drug crime.This bill earlier passed the house and went to the Senate. In ten minutes, the bill was changed; the mandatory sentence taken out and just described as a more serious offense and leave it up to the courts - as we know, the courts plea-bargain these charges away. The ACSL to opposes these changes to the bill and to support contact with house members to ask them, on behalf of the ACSL, to restore the original language in HB 417. (if the original language is not restored, what will happen is, people being exonerated in gun crimes-gun crimes will go up, people not being put in jail, thus more gun control is necessary) A motion was made and seconded by (Slavonic/Hoffman) to oppose HB417 as amended. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. |
CONSERVATION |
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CONSERVATION-JACK WALTERS reported on the DEP Secretary urging
use of polluted mine water to meet future energy needs, rather than using clean
water. PA has mine discharges that produce millions of gallons of water each
day. Water like the 60 million gallons in the Quecreek Mine doesn't have to sit
underground. It can be used in power plants, treated and then returned to the
environment. The week-end earthquake in Alaska muddied many well-water users' tap water more than 3,000 miles away in Pa. The threat of human infection from West Nile Virus is much lower with little or no mosquito activity due to recent frosts. Clean Coal Power now serving customers in Jacksonville, FL. The power station is now one of the cleanest burning coal plants in the world. |
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| GAME COMMITTEE | |
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GAME-MIKE MARANCHE provided pamphlets on ChronicWasting Disease.
A video is available to all Clubs interested. Effects on humans who eat deer
ailing from this disease, is not known - it is suggested to remove the meat from
the bone and do not cut into the bone. Studies are taking place to determine
this. PennDot is confiscating land from the PGC to extend Hwy. 999 along Bald Eagle Ridge. SGL 278. So far, a Blair County Judge is upholding PennDot. The elk herd in Yellowstone is threatened by the wolf population. Prior to the wolf introduction, 19,000 elk, 300 bighorn sheep, and an abundance of moose and antelope - now the herd is down to 10,000 elk and 40 bighorn sheep; moose and antelope are all but wiped out. Wolves have increased from 100 to 560 with 150 pups. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now introducing wolves into any rural area in America where there is an agriculture or hunting culture, with environmental organizations backings. A motion was made and seconded (Fischer/Hoffman) to write a letter to Republican members of Congress to place Congressman Richard Pombo as Chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Resources. Richard Pombo has created a task force on private property rights and has challenged the Land Acquisition Funding Act and environmental groups in general. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. |
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| FISH AND CLEAN STREAMS | |
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FRANK SPARROW suggested people visit the Gerry Greiner memorial.
Deer Creek Mall Project update - Penn Futures is suing the Environmental Hearing
Board (due to changes in the project) for not applying for a new TIF. B.A.S.S - Pittsburgh is angling to host ESPN's BASS MASTERS CLASSIC. "There are two important aspects that the people from B.A.S.S. consider when they pick a site", "You have to have a place for them fish and our three rivers will produce quality catch; and you must have the infrastructure to support a very large trade show"(new convention center). This will come together in 2004. Some 1.3 million anglers and 1 million hunters spent $2 billion in PA last year in pursuit of their pastime, Which supported 34,000 jobs in the state. "The impact that sportsmen have on state economies should be a wake-up call to state governments to welcome and encourage hunting and fishing in their state!" Melinda Gable, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. |
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| ALLEGHENY SPORT, TRAVEL AND OUTDOOR SHOW | |
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ALLEGHENY SPORT, TRAVEL AND OUTDOOR SHOW-2/12-16/03-Henry Hoffman
reported there is a need for ticket-takers. If clubs could volunteer 8-10 people
per day to cover three to four areas in the ExpoMart. Other than clubs selling
jerky to earn money for themselves, the 53 clubs within the ACSL hopefully could
get 8-10 volunteers to assist the league. The PFBC will be providing the
seminars. A motion was made and seconded (Hoffman/McWilliams) to allocate an additional $1000.00 for supplies (key fobs, t-shirts, hats) for the show. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY! |
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| POLICY AND BUDGET | |
| POLICY AND BUDGET-President Lewellen announced additions to the Loan Committee: Joe Connors, Chairman; other members are Frank Girdich, Joe Cersosimo and Jack Walters. | |
| Youth Day Saturday July 26, 2003 | |
| YOUTHDAY 7-26-03 TICKETS for the National Wild Turkey Print (fundraiser for YouthDay) are available and drawing will be based on the lottery on 12/21/02. CONTACT FRANK SPARROW AT 724-444-6569 FOR TICKETS. | BANQUET |
| BANQUET will be held on March 8, 2003. Banquet Committee Chairman Joe Cersosimo passed out tickets to the delegates present. CLUBS WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED TICKETS ARE URGED TO CONTACT JOE AT 412-331-3412. | |
| Unfinished Business | |
| UNFINISHED BUSINESS - shirts for the ACSL officers and directors should be decided and purchased as soon as possible. The ACSL Club Directory is being revamped-clubs will be contacted for correct-up-to-date information shortly. | |
| Old Business | |
| OLD BUSINESS- The beef jerky sign-up sheet will be available at the December meeting. Clubs need to get their names on the list as soon as possible. | New Business |
| NEW BUSINESS-The By-laws Committee, Chair Mike Slavonic, presented the Proposed Amendments to the ACSL By-laws. The First Reading being November 14, 2002. At the next regular meeting, (12/12/02) a new reading of the proposed by-laws will take place. Any club that proposes any amendments to the proposed by-law they should present those amendments in writing. The last reading of the proposed by-laws shall be held at the January meeting and a vote will take place to approve or disapprove them.. | |
| For the Good of the Organization | |
| None | Treasurer's Report |
| TREASURER'S REPORT-Joe Connors presented his report. The treasurer's report was accepted without question. | Adjournment |
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DOORPRIZE- Jim Davidson, Delegate of Penn's Waters Bass, won the
monthly door prize and donated his winnings to the 2003 YouthDay. MOTION TO ADJOURN (Hoffman/Baker) was called for at 9:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sara Barnett, Secretary |
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.
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Next Regular Meeting |
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Allegheny County Sportsmen's League, Inc. Next meeting Thursday, December 12, 2002 7:30 p.m. Gold Room - Courthouse |
*** ANNOUNCEMENTS*** |
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UPCOMING EVENTS ALLEGHENY SPORT, TRAVEL and OUTDOOR SHOW MONROEVILLE EXPOMART FEBRUARY 12-16, 2003
ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN'S LEAGUE, INC. SPORTSMEN OF THE YEAR BANQUET SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2003 FOX CHAPEL YACHT CLUB SPEAKER - WJAS Radio Personality JACK BOGUT
REMINDERS: (SUBMIT PHOTOS OF CLUB YOUTHDAYS, ACTIVITIES AND CLUB HOUSE, ETC. TO BE USED AT THE BANQUET)
SPORTS-PERSON NOMINATIONS SHOULD BE MAILED TO SARA BARNETT, 1028 HULTON RD., VERONA, PA 15147
BANQUET TICKET STUBS SHOULD BE MAILED JOE CERSOSIMO, 82 MCKINNIE AVE, MCKEES ROCKS, PA 15136
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Nominating Committee |
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