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by Paul Turi
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association November 2002 Newsletter)
Time is running out to get your tickets to this year’s Sportsperson-of-the-Year Dinner/Dance at which time we will be honoring this year’s sports person of the year. Governor McGreevey has accepted our invitation to be this year’s keynote speaker, so if you want to meet the Governor and have a good time, call for tickets. The affair is being held on November 10th at the beautiful Crystal Point Yacht Club on River Road & Rt. 70 in Pt. Pleasant, N.J. from 4:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. Tickets are $60.00 each or $500.00 for a table of 10. This is one of our major fundraisers of the year. This is your Association and we need your support. This event will accommodate 300 supporters and friends for a semi-formal sit-down dinner with choice of entrees and a cash bar. So, come alone, with your spouse, or get a group together from your club or organization and come to the dinner/dance and have a great time. There will be a three-course meal, plenty of door prizes, a Chinese auction, silent auction and a DJ for those who wish to dance. Also, your attendance will show the Governor you care about the environment and the over-restrictive fishing regulations that are being forced on recreational fishermen.
Remember, this is your organization and we need donations for door prizes, for the Chinese and silent auctions. So, if you or you or your club has anything to donate, please bring it to the meeting on October 29th or call me to make arrangements to get it to me prior to then. We particularly need items for the ladies, i.e. hair and beauty products, household and decorative items, etc.
As far as tickets, many clubs have indicated they are coming and are reserving tables of 10. However, I need the money and the tickets ASAP so I know how many people are coming and how many dinners of each entree to order. Crystal Point Yacht Club needs this information about a week prior to the 10th, so I would like to have the money and tickets with your dinner selections by November 1st.
So, if you need tickets or would like to make a donation, call me, Paul Turi, (609) 597-3193, Tom Siciliano (743) 477-8186), Al Marantz, (732) 280-2643) or any JCAA representative that you know. We have only received one nominee
The deadline for accepting nominations for sports person of the year will be at our General Membership Meeting on October 29th. At that time the membership will vote. So, if you would like to make a nomination, that is the time to do it and a short written resume of why this person deserves to be sports person of the year should be presented with the nomination. There was only one person nominated at the last meeting. Below is the information on that person
The Hudson River Fishermen’s Association, New Jersey Chapter, has submitted Ray Marione as their nominee for the JCAA Sportsperson-of-the-Year award. Ray, a long-time fresh and saltwater angler, became a member of HRFANJ in 1984. He became a director and trustee in 1989. In 1994 Ray was given the Pete Barrett Award for his dedication, participation and loyalty toward the HRFANJ. In June 2001, Ray received a special one-time “all around good guy hard-working active member” award from HRFANJ. Considered the elder statesman, Ray is consulted by members on fishing and fisheries issues to club policy.
In 1989, Ray spoke to the New Jersey Assembly encouraging passage of the Striped Bass Game Fish Bill that became law in February 1991.
In 1994, Ray, along with HRFANJ members, and New Jersey DEP devised a plan for improving Hazzards boat ramp below the George Washington Bridge. Their proposal resulted in a $240,000 grant to the Palisades Interstate Park Commission who refurbished the ramp.
At the request of the NJDEP, Ray was HRFANJ’s representative to their Harbor Heritage Festival Organizing Committee.
In the early 90’s, NJDEP was formulating plans to develop a walkway along the Hudson from the Bayonne Bridge to the George Washington Bridge. HRFANJ has long been active in promoting improved public access to the Hudson. In March of 1993, NJDEP became aware of these efforts, and Ray, along with another member, gave them an extensive walking tour of the waterfront and explained the river, life of the river, showing access points and their conditions and explained how access and recreational use can be improved. NJDEP credited Ray and HRFANJ with having much influence as to the way the walkway appears today.
Ray became HRFANJ’s JCAA representative in the early 90’s lasting through 2001. He still is JCAA’s Access North committee chairperson.
When JCAA established their annual fluke tournament in 1995, they did not provide for northern New Jersey fishermen. For years Ray lobbied JCAA and finally in 1998 JCAA requested Ray establish a weigh station for northern New Jersey fishermen. Ray through his own efforts located the first weigh station in Palisades Park and eventually Ray moved the weigh station to Jersey City where it is today. Ray was also its weighmaster from 1998 through 2000.
Ray attends the annual attends public comment meetings on fisheries issues, works at the JCAA fluke tournament awards ceremonies, mans JCAA booths selling raffle tickets, hats and T-shirts, distributes posters for HRFANJ and JCAA events and Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament.
