Police training facility opens at Rod & Gun Club
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

BATH - State and local officials helped the Bath police department and the Bath Rod and Gun Club cut the ribbon last week on a firearms training facility constructed on the club grounds on Telegraph Road.

The shooting range features 10 remote-operated target systems that allow participants to practice "scenario-based training," according to police Chief David Rouse. The training helps officers improve marksmanship and judgement in distinguishing between hostile and friendly targets.

No other facility in the region offers the same level of training capabilities, Rouse added.

The police chief pointed specifically to Bath police Sgt. Lester Brown as being responsible for coordinating development of the project. In addition, Rouse thanked the Bath Rod and Gun Club, the Bath village board, numerous other municipalities, area service clubs, business and private individuals for their support in building the facility.

New York state Sen. George Winner (R-Elmira) and Assemblyman James Bacalles

R-Corning) also were crucial in securing $15,000 in the 2006-07 state budget for the facility. Rouse also noted former state Sen. John "Randy" Kuhl helped secure support.

Winner himself pointed to the shared service efforts of numerous municipalities that helped in building the facility. Included in that salute were: The Bath village street and police departments; Bath Electric, Gas and Water Systems; and town highway departments from Avoca, Bath, Cohocton, Dansville, Horseheads, Howard, Fremont, Urbana, Wayland, Wayne and Wheeler.