(NY) No firearms shooting events for this year's Empire Games

[Drizzt]

Press & Sun-Bulletin (Binghamton, NY)

April 8, 2003 Tuesday

SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. 4D

LENGTH: 567 words

HEADLINE: OUTDOORS - No firearms shooting events for this year's Empire Games

BYLINE: DAVE HENDERSON

BODY:
It's a done deal for this year, no way around it. There will be no firearms shooting events at this year's Empire State Games July 23-27 in Buffalo.

There's been an outcry from the shooting world but all you paranoid sorts pointing fingers and yelling "foul" or "discrimination," should consider the state of the state.

"We are at the mercy of what our finances look like," said Empire State Games Director Fred Smith from his Albany office last week. "With the belt-tightening situation that the state is in right now we simply couldn't afford to continue with the same format. We have to forgo some events and shooting is one that has had poor numbers in most regions of the state."

The shooting events are very strong here, however, which makes it tougher for the Southern Tier to swallow. We have local pistol, smallbore, running target and shotgun shooters who medal every year -- but we have a lot of facilities here, which tends to breed competitors. Apparently other areas aren't so fortunate, which is why the shooting sports have joined water polo, fencing and open field hockey on the shelf this year.

"It's definite (the cancellation) for this year," Smith said. "I've conveyed that message to the various chairpersons of those sports. But that doesn't necessarily mean that those sports are gone forever."

Shooting organizations are urging folks to contact Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro, the person who has the authority to restore the shooting events to future games. She can be contacted at Executive Office of Park, Recreation and Historical Preservation, Agency Bldg. 1, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12238.

 

[TonyB]

Some times I feel like moving to Vermont!!!:banghead:

 

[IrvJr]

Doh!

Me too... I keep telling my wife we'll move to Vermont or New Hampshire!

 

[Tamara]

which is why the shooting sports have joined water polo, fencing and open field hockey on the shelf this year.

Wonder what they have against epees and swimming pools?

 

[12GA]

shooting sports have joined water polo, fencing and open field hockey on the shelf this year.

oh the humiliation.

But that doesn't necessarily mean that those sports are gone forever.

yeah, I believe ya'...

Shooting organizations are urging folks to contact Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro, the person who has the authority to restore the shooting events to future games. She can be contacted at Executive Office of Park, Recreation and Historical Preservation, Agency Bldg. 1, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12238.

I tried to get an email address but all I could find on their website was snailmail and tel #. :banghead:

NYS Office of Parks & Recreation

 

[12GA]

Update: Looks like the games are on!

Shooting Back in Empire State Games

About-face puts shooters back in ESG

Shooting, a budget casualty over the winter, is back in Empire Games as a modified program


Thursday, July 03, 2003

By TOM DOWD
STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE


There will be at least one more shot at Empire State Games gold for Karen Awad.

Nearly five months after shooting, fencing, water polo and open field hockey were cut from the schedule -- and just three weeks before the 2003 games commence in Buffalo on July 23 -- ESG executive director Fred Smith confirmed that the shooting events have been reinstated and will be part of the 26th annual competition.

"Shooting is back this year as a modified program," Smith told the Advance yesterday. "We're working hard with the shooting community to turn out something that they would enjoy and that would be part of the Empire State Games."

Awad, Staten Island's most honored competitor with 43 ESG medals -- 26 gold -- was as shocked to hear of the reinstatement as she was of the cancellation in February.

"This was a total surprise," Awad said. "Three weeks before the games? I'm in shock. I didn't even hear that there was a possibility. I was really surprised, and now I'm scrambling. I'm really happy. But everybody was shocked."

Smith had previously attributed the cuts to a combination of declining participant numbers and budget pressures, but continued lobbying by state shooting chairman Chuck Meyer and the shooting community helped diminish concerns about participation.

But the budget problems haven't disappeared. That's why the extent of the competition and logistical issues are still under negotiation. The ability of the shooting community to handle part of the tab and contribute to the administration of its own events were key to the reinstatement.

"We are in the process of meeting with the shooting people right now," Smith said. "It's kind of an ongoing situation with shooting, with what we can and can't do this year. Right now, it's premature to tell you exactly what we're going to do. We're still working on it.

"There's a lot of things we're relying on them to do. Finances are one of the things we're trying to work out. What the shooting community can absorb and what we can do without expanding our costs.

"What can they realistically do? Can they do things to trim their costs? It will be an ongoing discussion, probably until that first shot is fired."

There are also no guarantees that shooting is back for good. The annual evaluation of the games that originally led to the decision to cut the four sports could again lead to the sport being eliminated, according to Smith.

In the meantime, Awad is gearing up to add to her medal collection ... on short notice.

"I'll be prepared," Awad said. "Not a problem. The competitor is always ready. Just have to scramble a little bit. It's a little more pressure getting ready, but my main priority now is finding lodging because I'm sure half the places are sold out.

"It's going to be a nightmare trying to get this all together."

 

[PATH]

Much joy in Dog Patch tonight!