I would like to talk today about limitations. I have had to learn about my own physical limitations over time. My involvement in many organizations, over the years, has given me insight into the limitations that we all, as organizations, face.
There are a lot of stakeholder groups and organizations working very hard toward the common goal of freedom from the extreme environmentalists/anti’s and the control they have in our state.
As you know, there are a lot of organizations that share this goal. I am personally involved in Adirondack, disability and conservation issues. There are, in addition, the following groups: property rights, hunters, fishermen, ATVers, snowmobilers, campers, farmers, loggers, timber companies, equestrians, and then we have our sub-groups for more specific things like; turkey, deer and pheasant hunters. We have the rifle, shotgun, pistol, bow, crossbow, and muzzle loading groups. The same is true with fishing. We have trout groups, bass groups and fly-fishing groups. That’s a lot of groups and I’m sure I’ve just scratched the surface. We are all struggling to achieve small victories that seem to be very few and far between.
There is a need for all of these organizations and stakeholder groups to unite, come together, put our differences aside and form a coalition. We have been divided and unorganized for too long, to the delight of those that seek to take away our way of lives and freedoms. Divide and conquer is an old and effective method.
I submit that the Conservation Alliance of New York is that organization. Not only does C.A.N.Y. represent the fundamental ideals of the above groups but C.A.N.Y. was formed to give the small group of 4 or 5 folks that recreate together but aren’t a “club”, the many small clubs that aren’t part of a larger organization, and last but not least the millions of individual sportsmen and women, conservationists and wise use advocates who feel unrepresented, under-represented or misrepresented. C.A.N.Y. gives a voice to these people. C.A.N.Y. is the umbrella organization that we ALL need in order to have a real voice in Albany that will be heard.
Together we can make a difference and change the way the tide has been flowing. We can expand our limitations. In order for us to grow we need to change the way we have been doing things. Growth without change is impossible.
Please visit the C.A.N.Y. web-site at www.conservationallianceny.org and become part of this new and exciting organization. I have videos and application packets available for you at no charge.
Please take one, run off copies and pass them out. The time to act is NOW! We can’t afford to let things continue to go the way they have been.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you. It has been a pleasure.
October 25, 2004
Ted E. Galusha
Region 5 Director at large
The Conservation Alliance of New York
Adirondackers for Access
P.O. Box 385
Warrensburg, NY 12885
(518) 623-4382
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