BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

WADDINGTON — A long standing carp fishing tournament was interrupted by Park Police on May 19 prompting questions about the future of carp events that once drew actor Tom Felton of Harry Potter fame to the area.

According to Tournament Director Bob Giordano, the event has a long tradition and is organized by a non-profit organization with anglers attending from all over the United States, Canada and England.

“I’ve worked as a volunteer on the tournament for over 18 years and I’ve sat on the board for a number of years. So this isn’t anything new to me or to our board of directors,” Giordano said.

One major change occurred last year when Park Police interrupted the tournament and sought to remove anglers from Brandy Brook. According to Giordano, police informed the event organizers that park regulations did not allow fishing like that in Brandy Brook and in state parks.

“We always spoke to the mayor of Waddington, the town supervisor and with the New York Power Authority to make sure we had permission and everyone was aware of what we were doing. They were and still are very helpful and accommodating, so we never expected to have any sort of issue,” Giordano continued.

Giordano also said that local homeowners were notified of the event in advance so concerns could be presented to event organizers. An insurance policy encompassing the event and all participants was also secured this year, just like in years past, as well.

“We even have a post event clean up to make sure we dispose of all trash on site, even if it’s not from our competitors,” he said.

That all changed when Park Police Officer Stewart Wilson “came storming in” on May 19, as Giordano explained it.

“We had set up around 5 a.m. and I cleaned up the site before the anglers came in. We had over 100 fishermen coming in from all over the U.S., Canada and England and they fish all day from Thursday to Sunday. By 9 or 10 a.m. Park Police came storming in, and I really do mean storming in, yelling that he wanted to see a specific person who wasn’t even there,” he said.

Giordano said he took it upon himself to address and de-escalate the situation as the event director.

“I just asked him to be respectful and courteous and reciprocated myself. We had a lot of families there, a lot of people that were not from the area and who had women and children with them. But he didn’t seem to care,” Giordano said.

Officer Wilson informed Giordano that the anglers were not allowed to fish at Brandy Brook and ordered all of them to leave the area. Wilson went so far as to say no fishing was allowed from the shore or with boats.

“We at least got it sorted out in regards to the boats, which were allowed in the area. But he did say we had to remove all vehicles from the parking lot and we all had to leave the area, including those fishing on McGinnis Road,” Giordano said.

It was at this time Giordano held a conference call with Waddington Mayor Mike Zagrobelny and officials with NYPA, who all said the event could proceed.

“I told him he had no jurisdiction over the folks fishing on McGinnis Rd., which just made him more angry. But we were willing to work with him regarding Brandy Brook. I asked to speak to his supervisor to sort it all out and he told me flat out, no. I asked if I could go talk to the park manager to work something out and fill out whatever forms they wanted me to, he told me no again. So I wasn’t given any option in the matter at all,” Giordano said.

Despite the efforts, Wilson pressed further and told organizers that anyone left in the park after sunset would receive additional tickets.

“He hadn’t given out any tickets yet though, which I informed him of. That’s when he finally asked my name and for my ID and gave me a ticket of $250 for holding a commercial fishing event without a permit,” Giordano said.

Giordano said he then asked Wilson how he could be fined for hosting a commercial fishing event when the organizers work for a non-profit organization. He was not given a clear answer as to the distinction, he said.

“He just wrote the ticket and now I have a court appearance in Waddington,” Giordano said.

The next day, a new sign that simply read “Park closes at sunset” was posted in the visitor’s guide display.

“It wasn’t there before, it has never been there,” he said.

Initial calls to the Thousand Islands Regional Parks office regarding the incident were redirected to Park Police in Zone 2.

According to officers, all fishing regulations are set forth by the DEC and subsequently enforced by Park Police.

Park police also say any regulations related to restricted areas, days and times come from the park manager, regional or state officials. Park police are then required to follow those regulations set for, officials said.

When asked to disclose records related to the alleged incident brought forth by Legislator Rita Curran, Park Police said a Freedom of Information request was needed before releasing such documents. North Country This Week filed a FOIL request at 12:29 p.m. on May 26.

Police then directed NCTW to discuss park regulations with the local park manager, who declined comment and directed NCTW to speak with Regional Director Mark Spalding regarding such regulations.

Calls to Spalding have gone unanswered as of press time.

The only official communication from the Parks Department regarding the incident came from an official statement emailed to NCTW, which read as follows:

“On May 19, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation learned an organization was conducting a fishing tournament and camping without permits at Brandy Brook Boat Launch. New York State Park Police responded and directed participants to discontinue the event. The organizer was issued one ticket for engaging in commercial activities without a permit, a violation of New York State Park regulations carrying a fine of up to $250.

New York State Parks requires permits for a wide range of activities to protect parkland from inappropriate use and ensure fair access to the facilities by all members of the public. New York State Parks host permitted fishing tournaments at its facilities throughout the Thousand Island Region. The agency will consider an application for a special event at Brandy Brook Boat Launch in the future, provided reasonable conditions are met. Camping is not permitted at the site.”

Further clarification and specificity was requested but has not yet been received as of press time.

Representatives from the North Country, including Senator Patty Ritchie, Assemblyman Mark Walczyk, Legislator Rita Curran and local officials like Mayor Mike Zagrobelny and Supervisor Alex Hammond have all reached out to Giordano in support.

“Every single one has reached out at some point to get my side of the story, offer support and to tell me something will be done about the situation. I just want an apology and we can move on, that’s all,” he said.

Residents, including local fire, rescue and police also reached out in support. Some have even offered to pay his fine.

“I told them I appreciate it but I will handle it in court, it’s not their responsibility to pay it,” he said.

Giordano has also played a huge hand in the local fishing scene, assisting with numerous tournaments including multiple Bassmaster tournaments in Waddington, International Junior Carp Fishing tournament which is in its 19th year, as well as the Seaway 6 Pack Throw Down.

“We have applications in for every tournament moving forward but we’re still waiting on the official word if they have been approved,” he said.