 |
 |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
||
by Rich Esposito
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association April 2000 Newsletter)
JCAA has been a member of COA (Clean
Ocean Action) and American Littoral Society for over 16 years. We have allowed each other to exchange and use
each other’s names on our letterhead. JCAA
has only joined organizations and allowed them to use our name when there was a democratic
process and agenda. It has become evident,
because of recent and past decisions by COA and ALS, that they do not follow a democratic
process in establishing agendas, policy and decision-making processes on positions.
JCAA does not require that other
organizations always agree with our position. However,
we insist that we are part of the decision-making process if they are going to be using
our name. It became quite evident at our
last JCAA meeting that they do not use a democratic process. It was brought up by our membership that we should
re-evaluate our membership in these two organizations.
JCAA works with many groups and
organizations both locally and federally. We
sign on to letters with various groups on a regular basis on particular issues. We are not members of these groups, but we work
together. There are only three organizations
that we allow to use our name on their letterhead and newspaper: COA, ALS, and NJ State Federation of Sportsmens
Clubs.
The NJ SFSC puts us on their Board of
Directors, general membership and treats JCAA as a statewide organization giving us an
expanded voting presence. When JCAA and the
Federation have been in disagreemnt, we have gone to the Board and the general membership
before any decision was finalized or released to the press.
This is how a democratic process works.
This is not how our relationship with COA and ALS has worked. For this reason, I am suggesting that we vote on
withdrawing our membership from these two organizations.
That does not mean we are asking them to withdraw their membership from our
organization or that we will not work together in the future on selected issues. We welcome and hope for their continued
participation and guidance in JCAA.
Once again, the recreational fisherman
has taken one on the chin with the recent council vote allowing the reduction boats access
to Menhaden within our local waters. Once again, the commercials were out in force and
swayed the vote. The JCAA RFA and Menhaden Project will push to have this bill
reintroduced, because if we allow these reduction boats to continue to take the menhaden
in NJ water it will have a disastrous effect on NJ marine ecosystem. NJ fall run of stripers, weakfish, tuna and
bluefish will be a thing of the past. You know how much time and effort was put forth yet
the resource lost. We cannot quit and allow
the continued destruction of the menhaden resource and ecosystem by the reduction boats. So do not loss hope. We will need you to keep the effort up in the
future. It was also noticed that a lot of you
showed up to hearing and did not say anything. If
you take the time to come to a hearing say something.
It just can be that you support the JCAA position. They need to count your
vote. If you feel strong about our position,
please speak up and volunteer your services.
The High Roller Raffle is in its final
stages, with the drawing to be held at the April meeting. Please do not be bashful, there
are still tickets available, so call the office and we’ll see you get whatever
tickets you may need.
As reported last month, we are
proceeding with hiring an attorney to help with the conversion from C4 to C3 tax status.
The more I learn about this type of conversion, the more I know it will benefit not only
our association, but those who support us as well.
The Fluke Tournament mailings went. Please mail your application in as soon as
possible. We are looking for volunteers to
help out, so if interested please contact Rich Pasko, Paula Emond, or leave a message at
the office. A project of this magnitude has a great deal of work to be done, and your
support will be greatly appreciated.
We are
still looking for a Chairperson for this year’s Sportsperson of the Year Award Dinner
Dance. I chaired the affair last year but will be unable this year. It is important to get
this, one of our larger fundraisers, off to a good start. There will be plenty of help
available, but we need someone now to get this project off and running.