Ten days from now, Americans will head to the polls (or will vote early or by mail) to exercise democracy.
The creation of the United States Constitution was, in my opinion, nothing short of a miracle. A group of well-to-do white men rebelled against the tyranny of a king and left to create what was to become the greatest country the world had ever seen.
Those “founding fathers” put aside regional differences and created a nation where men could live free and be part of a democratic republic. Over the years, the roles of the individual states and the federal government (the first two political parties where the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists) was a constant issue, but compromises were always achieved for the greater good.
Threats to that fragile democratic model have arisen over the years and never more than we are facing today. The future of the democracy rides on every election and this one has great importance across the United States.
Here is Massachusetts, ballot Question 9 is a clear choice. The law was passed the last night of a legislative session with no debate and had great impact on gun ownership in the Commonwealth. Please do your due diligence and you should find that the law is badly flawed. It has not and will not solve the issues regarding gun ownership in the state. It will force both sides of the issue to sit down and work out gun laws that will address the core problems and not overreach and punish legal, responsible gun owners.
No one feels any stronger about the problems guns can create than me. I totally empathize with people who want their children to feel safe at school, who want to feel safe at their workplace, and who want the issue of suicide to be addressed in a way that deals with the core issues that we all feel strongly about. That can only happen if the ballot question forces the legislature to deal with the issues openly and with all voices heard.
A second issue, Question 6, is also on my radar. It appears it will pass. If passed, 100% of the sales tax revenue collected from the sale and use of sporting goods, recreational vehicles and golf courses would go to the fund created. During my tenure on the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, the economics of wildlife conservation changed dramatically. This former board member was the chair of a “working group” tasked with solving the upcoming fiscal crisis.
With the leadership of Director Mark Tisa, we thoroughly examined what other states were doing and looked for ways to stabilize the agency’s finances by restructuring the fees. That created a short-term and long-term solution. Unfortunately, my term ended when four positions on the seven-person board were not reappointed. There was a vision of plans for seeking new and creative funding sources to drive the agency’s future, which was clearly a much broader mission than just “Hook and Bullet.” Hopefully, the additional layer of bureaucracy created by the ballot question will not be problematic.
Last week chronicled my bird dog Tessie’s health issues and she is recovering very well from her surgery. By this weekend, she will have clearance to begin hunting activities. Hopefully, this writer will be in New York and participating the 15th Annual New York Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society Hunt to raise money for RGS/AWS. As this is being written, another issue has appeared and my other French Brittany, 11-year-old Laney, has issues. Her history of ingesting things that do not pass seems to be causing her some problems. Fingers are crossed.
Like so many others, yours truly is very saddened to learn that the Corner Café, that wonderful gathering place created by Terry Bouchard, will be closing on Nov. 28. Over the years, Terry, Stephanie and Bob created a comforting environment with great food and even greater company, as so many people gathered to enjoy the fellowship and wonderful breakfasts and lunches. Everyone wishes Terry and her family the best going forward and thanks them for what they created in the heart of Orange.
Seventy-five years ago today, my father, John E. Roche Jr., went pheasant hunting on Wheeler Avenue in Orange at a place he always called “Mark Ward’s.” With his Irish setter Judy, they bagged a cock pheasant that had a tail that was 26 inches long! That old rooster was great source of pride for him and he bragged about it for years.
The reason he was able to be bird hunting on that day was because his wife Grace had just given birth to their second child and first son. That boy was fortunate that John took him hunting and fishing and he developed a great love and appreciation for the outdoors, watching and going afield with John and his “hunting buddies,” which included Gig Darey, Ed Donnelly, Leo Jean, Jack LaBonte, Bill Cameron and others who were great role models.
Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, Counselor and Director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, has been a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor for over 40 years and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.