to introduce legislation in the 2010 Maryland General Assembly to ban the so-called \”leghold\” and body-gripping traps in Montgomery County. The Delegation will soon vote to advance its bill, MC 16-10 to the full General Assembly.

The Maryland Fur Trappers, Inc. (MFTI), the umbrella organization for the state’s practitioners of fur trapping and animal control, is seeking support in opposing the legislative threat to their livelihoods and to public safety. MFTI’s message is that if the legislation is passed in one jurisdiction, others could follow the precedent. If trapping were to be restricted, it could pave the way to increased animal/human conflicts, danger to livestock and affect the cultural diversity that is the cornerstone of Maryland’s foundation. MFTI wants the public to know that the positive role of trapping is beneficial to the environment and to the sustainability of many species of wildlife.

MFTI President, Ron Leggett, said, \”It’s easy for opponents of fur trapping to advance an emotional plea against the practice. The benefits of fur trapping are misunderstood by many in the modern age. Most Marylanders are unaware of the protections afforded to them by trappers and wildlife control agents.\” Leggett also stated, \”Detractors refuse to consider the facts about trapping and its methods and wage unrelenting campaigns using \”compassionate\” messages, with no real proof to back up their claims, to garner support from the uninformed majority of urbanized citizens.\”

ü QUICK FACT: Nearly 8000 Individual Furbearer Permits and 300 Wildlife Damage Control Operator Permits are issued in Maryland annually.

By Bill Cleary

Can you believe \”The Woo\” , once the terror of Gloucester City, spending his afternoon with other seniors playing charades.

The American Legion – February 3, 2010

Earlier this week, President Obama signed into law the Veterans’ Emergency Fairness Act of 2009. This important legislation amends existing statutes to allow the VA to reimburse eligible veterans for portions of emergency treatment that are not covered by their private insurance. Before this change in law, VA could only pay outside hospitals directly, or reimburse veterans in cases where they did not have private health insurance.

\”Many veterans enrolled in VA health care have limited private health insurance, and this new legislation helps to correct previous inequities in the law, and helps to ensure that a trip to the emergency room doesn’t cause financial ruin for those who honorably and selflessly served this nation,\” said American Legion National Commander Clarence Hill.

\”The American Legion appreciates Congress recognizing the need for this legislation and the president for acting quickly to sign it into law,\” said Hill.

This legislation, introduced by Senator Daniel Akaka, D- Hawaii, also allows VA to reimburse veterans retroactively for emergency care received before the bill’s passage.

The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is informing recreational and commercial saltwater fishermen that there will be two public hearings in New Jersey during February. The hearings are to receive public input on management actions under consideration.

The first hearing, on Thursday, February 18 in Cape May, will be held by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council on Amendment 11 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan.

The second hearing, on Thursday, February 25 in Lakewood, will be held by the New England Fishery Management Council\’s Monkfish Committee on Amendment 5 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan.

FOXNews.com – Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. John Murtha, the first veteran of the Vietnam war to enter Congress and one of the House\’s most powerful lawmakers, died Monday afternoon at Virginia Hospital Center after complications from gallbladder surgery. Murtha was 77.

\”Congressman John P. Murtha (PA-12) passed away peacefully this afternoon at 1:18 p.m. at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va. At his bedside was his family,\” read a statement from his office.

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