From the US Sprotsman Alliance (http://www.wlfa.org/)

A meeting to discuss a local ordinance being considered by the Cromwell Board of Selectmen, which would ban the discharge of a bow within city limits without a permit, has been rescheduled for January 8, 2003.

The Cromwell Board of Selectmen will meet on Wednesday, January 8 to discuss an ordinance that places the control of discharging a bow, and potentially bowhunting, solely in the hands of the police chief. The meeting is set for 6:40 PM in room 224 at the Town Hall on West Street.

The proposal is vague and shortsighted. Perhaps the current chief of police supports hunting and archery and is willing to issue permits, but what happens if his replacement does not? The ordinance does not require the chief to issue a permit in a timely fashion, nor does it set parameters under which he must approve or reject a permit request.

Such ordinances have been introduced in other states. They stem from unfounded safety fears and anti-hunting sentiment.

A National Safety Council report says hunting is safer than swimming, bicycling, and playing baseball, golf, tennis and basketball. The International Hunter Education Association reports only four injuries and one fatality out of six million bowhunters in 1999.

Directions to meeting: Interstate 91 to Rte. 9 south to Cromwell. Turn left onto West Street, 1.5 miles on the right. It’s a renovated school building. Go past the building and turn onto Allen Road to park.