Just got this post on SNESA from Steve M.

Commercial interests have begun a strong lobby campaign to convince legislators
to stop the menhaden bill and to leave the pogey boat alone.

It is time that those who favor the bill begin to do likewise.

We now need YOUR help.

In the next several messages, I will post email addresses and several ideas to
help you compose comments to legislators.

This will take up some of your time to do this, but it is important.
EVERY PERSON COUNTS!

If a legislator is from your district, then be sure to say that at the very
beginning of your message. It carries a lot of weight.

In order of importance to legislators:
1. phone call from a constituent
2. letter from a constituent
3. email from a constituent
4. phone call from any citizen
5. letter from any citizen
6. email from any citizen
7. a "form" email from anyone

Note # 7. This is why we will give you suggested points, but if you can
rearrange the words, add your own comments, etc. it will be more effective, BUT,
even if you send the exact same message as others, it STILL COUNTS!

--
Steve Medeiros
President
Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association
6 Arnold Road, Coventry, RI 02816
office: 401-826-2121
cell: 401-996-3343

this is very important way to go thomcat

Additional info:
It is important to thank those Representatives who have sponsored the menhaden
bill for us. They have been targeted by commercial interests trying to get them
to pull out.

Please send them an email or letter (below the addresses are "talking points")

The sponsors:
Representative Peter Ginaitt
pginaitt@cox.net
177 Hope Avenue, Warwick, RI 02889
401-732-2695

Representative Raymond Gallison
fjs65@aol.com
50 King Philip Ave, Bristol, RI 02809
401-253-1852

Representative Peter Kilmartin
pfk61@yahoo.com
598 Armistice Blvd, Pawtucket, RI 02861
401-727-2211

Representative Peter Palumbo
PGPH252cox.net
67 Kearney St, Cranston, RI 02920
401-785-2882

Representative Douglas Gablinske
rep-gablinske@rilin.state.ri.us
45 Kickemuit Ave, Bristol, RI 02809
401-222-1478

------------------
In a short email, tell them...

Dear Representative xxxx

Thank you for sponsoring Bill H.5165 that would prohibit the purse seining of
menhaden in Narragansett Bay.

(briefly tell them that:
- menhaden are important filter feeders that will help to improve the ecosystem
of the Bay
- menhaden are an important food source for many species of fish that are
recreationally and commercially important)

Please do all that you can to ensure passage of this important legislation.
Thank you again

Then put your
full name
home address

The wrong email address was listed for Rep. Palumbo in the previous email. I
forgot the @ sign.

His info:

Representative Peter Palumbo
PGPH252@cox.net
67 Kearney St, Cranston, RI 02920
401-785-2882
The following is a perfect example of an email to use when contacting
legislators about the menhaden bill. It was composed by Terry Tehan:

---------------------
Dear Representative Palumbo,

Thank you for sponsoring Bill H.5165 that would prohibit the purse seining
of menhaden in Narragansett Bay. This legislation is an important part of
restoring our Bay to its historic position as a quality marine habitat. You
are obviously aware of the biological and recreational importance of
Menhaden and I am old enough to remember when they were plentiful and the
bay was much more productive. Keep up the good work. Our children will
appreciate your efforts.

Sincerely
name
address

sent them all an e-mail

I know I posted this before but in case anyone missed it here is the link to email for your elected officials.

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Email/

Alot of lobstermen are agianst this bill so i just drafted up a brief letter that can be emailed to our represntitives explaining why more menhaden are good for lobsters and lobstermen-

Dear Representative …………….,

Thank you for sponsoring Bill H.5165 that would prohibit the purse seining
of menhaden in Narragansett Bay. Being an avid striped bass fishermen I can not tell you how many bass I have caught with lobsters in their stomachs. This is a sign that the abundant striped bass population can not find its Ideal food- the menhaden. The Lobstermen are quick to point out that they use menhaden for bait and if purse seining is banned they will have no bait to use, or the costs will rise, but I doubt they realize how many more lobsters could be harvested if Narragansett bay had a balanced ecosystem. Menhaden are the base of a strong and healthy ecosystem and with a healthy base, all species will flourish with the passing with this bill. The striped bass and bluefish will have their food, the lobsters will feed off the scraps that fall down from feeding fish. It’s the natural food chain at its finest.


Sincerely
name
address

done :wid:

I posted this on SOl so I thought I would post it here as well. Hope no one minds.

"Just had a second conversation with Steve Mederios of RISAA. He encourages out of staters to contact the RI House Committee on the Environment regarding this bill. Out-of -Staters should emphasize their tavel to RI to target Striped Bass and the number of days they spend here and the money they spend. Again leave Ark out of the equation, this is about the ecology or the tourism. Attendance at the hearing in two-three weeks at the State House is encouraged. BTW the lobstermen are bombing the committee,re: loss of work, etc"

And...
"Just talked to a state rep who understands the bill and supports it. The tough part of this process will be getting the bill out of committee onto the floor. That means that we need bodies in the seats in the hearing room at the state house when the bill is brought up for discussion. The more bodies the better the chance of passage. I will call Steve Mederios and ask himto contact me when he has a hearing date. I will be on the West Coast 2/17-2/25 so Someone else should contact him and ask for the same intel. Once we know the date of the hearing we need to repeat the emails to the committee members and get our butts up to the hearing. Remember, if you don't go it won't pass"

good work

Keep it up, its needed

Senate Bill No.311
BY Lenihan, Sheehan
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE -- MENHADEN MANAGEMENT AREA
{LC1357/1}
02/07/2007 Introduced, referred to Senate Environment and Agriculture
----------------------

Members...

Please send a "thank you" to Senators Lenihan and Sheehan for co-sponsoring the
menhaden bill for us. Tell them you appreciate their efforts on the part of
everyone who cares about Narragansett Bay and our marine environment.

Suggest message...

Subject: Bill S.0311 on Menhaden - Thank you!

Their addresses:

sen-sheehan@rilin.state.ri.us
sen-lenihan@rilin.state.ri.us

The following was printed today in East Bay Newspapers.

Note that John Torgan was misquoted and he has called the newspaper to state that fact.

The paper says from John Torgan (of Save the Bay) "However, while he calls Rep. Gallison's legislation "brave" and "courageous,"
he doesn't believe there is enough scientific evidence out there to come up with an all-encompassing strategy for managing menhaden effectively — yet."

John states that he told the reporter that he believes THERE IS ENOUGH SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OUT THERE.....

What has happened to the Menhaden Bills??
> When are they comming up for votes?

The dates aren't set yet, but probably will be next month.'

It had been suddenly scheduled for a House Environment Committee hearing last
Wednesday at 1:00 PM, but we had it postponed.

We don't want the hearing to be on a weekday at 1:00 when everyone is at work.
We are hoping to see a hearing, away from the State House in a public forum, and
in the evening so everyone who cares about the bill has the opportunity to show up.

It will be announced here when it is set.

What has happened to the Menhaden Bills??
> When are they comming up for votes?

The dates aren't set yet, but probably will be next month.'

It had been suddenly scheduled for a House Environment Committee hearing last
Wednesday at 1:00 PM, but we had it postponed.

We don't want the hearing to be on a weekday at 1:00 when everyone is at work.
We are hoping to see a hearing, away from the State House in a public forum, and
in the evening so everyone who cares about the bill has the opportunity to show up.

It will be announced here when it is set.

Uffah,who's "we"?I mean who was responsible for the postponement?I think it's great,I was bummed I couldn't be there on Weds.

"WE" Is the sponsors and RISAA. I believe the people who don't want this to happen tried to get it heard at 1:00PM on a Wednesday. That way only they would be heard, because people would have to take time out of work to speak.
As I find out more about these bills I will post it.