Gun association targets Port Jervis

ANYA TIKKA
Posted 8/21/12

PORT JERVIS, NY — Tom King, president of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, went to the Port Jervis Common Council meeting on October 3 to present his case for holding the …

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Gun association targets Port Jervis

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PORT JERVIS, NY — Tom King, president of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, went to the Port Jervis Common Council meeting on October 3 to present his case for holding the association’s annual meeting next spring in Port Jervis.

“It’s the oldest and largest state association,” King, who is also a member of the National Rifle Association, prefaced his plea. He added they’ve been in New York since 1871. “We are not an organization that will run out of state, we’ve been here too long.”

The association holds its annual meeting in different parts of the state, and this year, it got an invitation from Port Jervis.

“Maria Mann suggested, why not here?” King said. Mann is the co-owner of the Gun Lady store in Port Jervis on Front Street, which was recently named the city’s Business of the Month.

King outlined the economic benefits the event would bring to the city, with many visitors who would use local businesses, restaurants and accommodations, although some of the participants would stay in camp.

“Waterside Park has been suggested, with demos about fly fishing, animal calling and things like that, and some vendors,” he said.

While there’s no fixed date yet, the event is aimed for late spring, and King estimates visitors would number from 450 to about 1,200, with no estimate of how many locals would take part.

One supporter stood up and said, “Rest assured, they will bring people here, from both in and out of state.”

Council member Kristin Trovei asked about security, “It could be a fairly large event. What do you require?”

Mayor Kelly Decker raised the question of insurance. “Most important is insurance. We require it for all our events,” Decker said.

Council members didn’t raise any objections, and Trovei thought it was appropriate for the area, with hiking, biking, and other outdoor possibilities.

Council member Stan Siegel added the city has a lot of history and suggested maybe some people would want to stay in the area longer than one day.

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