July 2009 Newsletter
Regular Membership Special!

All Regular Memberships -

Both New and Renewals

Will have a Link from our Web Page
To Your Website

Please pay your dues soon
So the NCWU can continue to


Protect Your Freedom to Fish


Letter from the NCWU President

Ladies and gentlemen of the NCWU,

As we find ourselves in the middle of the summer, we have to reflect on where we are. There are some very negative influences in our community, and problems are rife in the fishing industry nationwide. Our state has bent to the whims of a national bureaucracy that is out of control and has no accountability - with zero checks or balances. Our NMFS seems to be criminal in its actions, and as we each live the reality of a very serious economic down-turn, we wonder how this agency can continue to destroy businesses and the tax base. Over 50 percent of our beaches are closed – closed because a radical group that could care less about the human impact and suffering that are brought about by placing animals ahead of humans. People are facing harsh economic reality as homes are lost, vehicles are lost and jobs dry up. We are looking at the reality of elected officials that have not followed through with campaign promises. I could continue this litany of problems, but I am really sick of talking about them and just as sick hearing about them. Reality is pretty harsh sometimes, and it will overwhelm us if we don’t step back and look at the positives.

Positives?  Most of you who know me know that I am an eternal optimist. I think it rankles doom-sayers sometimes, but I know that this country will choose the right course. We will all get so fed up with the way things are going that our local elected officials will have to act. Even now, a few of our elected officials are stepping up to the plate in our defense, and those that don’t have the backbone will be quickly replaced.

        Mike Johnson has been an awesome asset to our community and state.

        Tim Spear understands what it means – and what it takes – to be a contributor to our state economy.

        Marc Basnight has really come out in support of the names for Federal Councils and Commissions that were put forward by the NCWU.

        Warren Judge has allowed Mike the free rein to do his thing, and that is tantamount to success.

        We have Congressional leaders that are showing support for our local communities and our jobs and the taxes that we provide.

It is imperative that we support these people.

One of our strongest assets is the undeniable fact that we called the economic problem before anyone would listen. We are in touch with reality more than most, and we saw a slump in the economy and called its presence before anyone else. Maybe we had a little more warning to get our house in order before we were totally overwhelmed, and the fact that we called this down-turn early gives us credence in many circles. We have to get back to a community approach to all things. What is good for the fisherman is good for the community – and vice versa. We need support, and we are under obligation to provide support. Our finger is very close to the pulse of living, and we have shown that it pays to listen to fishermen.

Someone asked me the other day how I stand all of this – the hours, the stress, the total lack of accountability by NMFS, and the desire of state fishery managers (who should be accountable to our state and its tax-payers) to get a Federal appointment. Preston Pate and Mac Currin have been at the helm as our state has lost fishing rights for herring, large coastal sharks, grouper, drum and rockfish in Federal waters. Pate and Currin have sold out this state, and ultimately, they will be the losers, because we will be the winners. Fishermen are the most resilient people there are, and we will persevere.

I am going to use this opportunity as a tool; it will not kill me, and it will temper me. It will also temper many of you, and that is a dangerous weapon for those aligned against us. A FISHERMAN THAT HAS BEEN TEMPERED IN THE FIRES OF ADVERSITY IS A FORMIDABLE OPPONENT!  We will overcome because what we are, is… WINNERS!

Keep your head up and keep swinging!
Shack
info@doghousesportfishing.com

Membership Cards

New in 2009, the NCWU is sending a
Membership Card
To each Renewal or New Member
At Any Level

The cards can be used for a
10% Discount at Hurricane Mo’s
(Excluding Happy Hour and Lunch Specials)

 To join our list of discounts
Please email RobbiofNCWU@Yahoo.com
Membership levels

                                        Regular member                  $200.00

                                   Corporate sponsor              $500.00

                                    Allied Member                    $100.00

                                    Associate Member               $20.00 (Minimum Contribution)


We appreciate your support!