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August 22, 2003 College writes to users of faulty firing range By Nathan Hegedus Times Herald-Record nhegedus@th-record.com Middletown – SUNY Orange has sent scores of letters to former students warning them that the college's firing range does not meet federal safety standards. The college closed the range in the basement of its physical education building in February because it lacks proper ventilation, leaving users at risk of lead exposure, among other health risks. College officials have said they closed the range in 1994 immediately after discovering the faulty ventilation. But the criminal justice department reopened the range and used it for eight years without the administration's knowledge, Vinnie Cazzetta, vice president of institutional advancement, said in May. That argument draws laughter and disbelief from Anthony Muratore and Robert Winter. Muratore is the former chairman of the criminal justice department. Winter was the range instructor. They said the college knew full well the range was open. It regularly maintained the range and published a firearms course description that said students were "responsible for their own ammunition, targets and safety equipment." A few weeks ago, the college sent the letters to students who used the range after 1994, Cazzetta said. The letters "just let them know the range was not in compliance," he said. The college has not received any response. It will not send letters to students who used the range before 1994, he said. Winter said the college should send letters to everyone who has ever used the range. He and Muratore said there was not regular ventilation testing before 1994. The range was no different in 1994 than it was in 1990 or even 1980, they said. About 250 to 350 people have regularly used the range since it opened in the early 1970s. "It certainly existed before," Winter said of the dangers. "The only difference is in 1994 they allegedly found out." He also wants the college to arrange and pay for health tests for all the affected students. 40 Mulberry Street * PO Box 2046 * Middletown, NY 10940 Telephone 845-341-1100 or 800-295-2181 outside the Middletown, N.Y., area. Powered by THRNewMedia.com
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