Posted on 06/17/2012 4:03:17 AM PDT by marktwain
PITTSGROVE TWP. — With an American flag-style top hat on his head and a bullhorn in hand, President and Owner of USANA Gun Club Skip Myers stood on the roof of his indoor shooting range this morning.
Below him, a crowd of roughly 60 to 70 supports for the gun club returned his cry of “God Bless America” as they prepared to march in protest of recent hearings between USANA and the Pittsgrove Township Planning Board.
“They’re saying we can’t do the things we’ve been doing here for 45 years,” Myers said. “That’s what this march is about, waking somebody up at a higher level to say it’s enough.”
Earlier in May, USANA sought to appeal a decision made by township Zoning Officer Thomas Mahoney in April 2011 which determined certain activities taking place at the club to be non-compliant with township approvals for the site.
The shooting ranges at USANA are currently used for law enforcement training, as well as for practice for Boy Scouts, hunters and sportsmen. There is also a separate section at the club for training police canines.
Township officials said the club does not have approval for law enforcement training, or for firing certain weapons at the club.
USANA’s appeal was denied by the planning board, and the board is currently in a process of determining what uses should or shouldn’t be permitted at the gun club.
In a show of support for the club and to protest the ongoing hearings, a small parade of club members and supporters marched about 2.6 miles through the township.
“We’re not doing anything illegal here (at the club),” said club member Diane Donovan, a resident of Pittsgrove. “We’re all American, and we believe in the freedoms of America.
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
I have personally dealt with this zoning officer on a professional level and found him to be less than forthcoming thereby raising my suspicions. I was dealing with him on behalf of a large national business entity. I got the impression he was stonewalling us to reserve a business opportunity for someone else. This was a small matter for my very large client and they quickly moved on but I have always wondered if my suspicions were true. I think I am going to check it out.
USANA has been there for many years. My best guess is they were not taking care of the right people. This is Jersey afterall.
Thank you for your local insight and knowledge. Posts such as yours show the immense value of freerepublic.
I was a member of the this club when I lived in God forsaken NJ. Skip, keeps things up to date and safe. I wish them well.
I’m sure my S&W 500 Mag, with loosen the frame work on the outdoor pistol range. I wouldn’t even think of shooting it, in the indoor range.
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