Gregoire's gov't reduction plan - F&W Commission Out?

[yelp]

The latest...getting rid of boards and commissions.  Salmon steelhead and LMAC to name a few..Possibly the F&W Commission? by June 30 unless they prove they are worthy.....listen to live feed go to TVW...

The governors website states...."More than 50 boards will be eliminated immediately by executive order.

Another 100 will be repealed through legislation, some as of June 30, 2009, and others by June 30, 2010".




http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/NW_020909WAB-gregoire-govt-reform-SW.357dfdfb.html

http://www.governor.wa.gov/priorities/reform/decisions_boardsandcomm.pdf

[colockumelk]

The F&W commission is defiantely not worthy.  I strongly believe that that should be an elected position.  The people who get put in these positions obviously don't have the right stuff and get put in those positions because of political offiliations.  I think that, that very unworthy commission should be done away with since they are not worth the funds that is spent on them and we should this year elect some people to hold those jobs.  Then every two to four years they have to run for re-election.  That way if they suck we can vote their worthless selves out and bring in someone who can. 

[jeepasaurusrex]

I think only people who hunt/fish and buy licenses should be able to vote on who is in there. 

[colockumelk]

I agree only hunters and fisherman should be able to vote on that.  We already have wild ID #s so maybe a valid Wild ID # would be used as your voter registration number for that particular balot.  It could be held separate of the other voting processes.  Or maybe say the year 2010 vote for that position comes up when you go to do your harvest report there's a spot to vote for the person you want etc.  It should be an elected position it is BS that us the hunters and fisherman have absolutely no say in how things are run.  It is about time that we had a voice in what goes on.  This is the problem with our WDFW they can make whatever decision they want to and they know that there will be no repercussions.  This to me makes them worse than politicians.  At least with politicians they know that if they screw up to bad people will vote them out of office.  The WDFW is more like a dictatorship to me. 

[sportsman002001]

Did you read in the news section (First link) possibly merging WDFW officers into the state partrol. What will have to our enforcement officers?  I could see this one coming when they closed down the Shelton training academy a couple of weeks ago.  Utilize our Fish and Wildlife officers to patrol the Highways and not take care of fish and wildlife issues.

[Wacenturion]

Did you read in the news section (First link) possibly merging WDFW officers into the state partrol. What will have to our enforcement officers?  I could see this one coming when they closed down the Shelton training academy a couple of weeks ago.  Utilize our Fish and Wildlife officers to patrol the Highways and not take care of fish and wildlife issues.

Probably something Wildlife Agents have wanted for a long time.......comes with a better retirement system, and shorter time required ...20 yrs if I remember right.  WA's already have police powers to issue tickets on non-wildlife issues.  We'll be like Oregon.....not sure if that's good or bad.

As far as the Commission......I used to always favor the Commission format....until Jeff Koneig came along.  Now I completely oppose the Commission system as it has been just as bureaucratic as the agency.  At least with a Governor's pick you have a 50/50 chance of getting someone who might do something.  Elected like the head of DNR is best way to go.

[yelp]

I wouldn't mind washingtonians electing a fish and wildlife director, but we know how this state votes...king county style...Do we want a liberal bunny hugging fern fondler as a director?  Not sure..Sportsman may get the shaft!

[billythekidrock]

They will be shutting down 1/3 of the boards and commissions. They also just announced a merger of Health Care Authority and the Dept of Retirement Systems.

[colockumelk]

I agree with centrurion that an elected official is the best way to go.  But others are right in that would we want a tree hugger in that position.  Like I stated earlier the best way to handle that is instead of a voter ID number to vote insted the voter registration for that particular ballot would use your WILD ID number.  That way people who actually have an interest in the WDFW could vote.  After all a bunch of tree hugging hippies arn't going to take a hunters safety course. 

[12Gauge]

Did you read in the news section (First link) possibly merging WDFW officers into the state partrol. What will have to our enforcement officers?  I could see this one coming when they closed down the Shelton training academy a couple of weeks ago.  Utilize our Fish and Wildlife officers to patrol the Highways and not take care of fish and wildlife issues.

I read the same thing in the paper this morning about the WDFW officers merging with State Patrol.  I asked a question to the WDFW last week concerning this issue and I pointed out that if the WDFW is reduced or suspended and no one to run it, what will become of the hunting and fishing in the state, the reply was not clear.  It is a possibility the hunting and fishing regs maybe delayed in coming out this year or may not come out at all.  Hmmm! i hope not.

I guess our government do not count the sales taxes that hunters and fisherman contribute to the state revenue.
Is our Governor that stupid?  I suppose she is just taking NObama's lead.   

[DOUBLELUNG]

Colockumelk, the tree huggers are about as likely to let us hook and bullet types take over WDFW, as the slugs on public assistance are likely to let the tax payers elect the tax spenders!

[colockumelk]

I know.  I didn't say this would happen its just what I wish WOULD happen.  Unfortunately it is the liberal hippies in Seattle that control hunting and fishing all over the state.  Too bad.  I think there's a way that we could all get what we want.  Good hunting and fishing for us and lots of trees to hug for them and lots of animals to look at and fondle themselves over. 

[300bullelk]

Clockumelk, your killin' me

[AlpineMuley]

If we get lucky this year with all of Gregoire's mergers, we might end up with the hearing impaired and retirement community running the regulations.

[colockumelk]

Clockumelk, your killin' me

That's my job.   

[jeepasaurusrex]

If we get lucky this year with all of Gregoire's mergers, we might end up with the hearing impaired and retirement community running the regulations.

We already do. She doesn't listen to what our wishes are, and looks like 100 miles of bad road. 

[colockumelk]

Admit it you'd hit it.

[jeepasaurusrex]

With a baseball bat. 

[runamuk]

Admit it you'd hit it.

dude that is so wrong 

[gadwall]

I agree with yelp.  It might be good if the citizens of WA could elect the director but I think King and Pierce counties would have the most influence thus it could go the way of bear baiting and hound hunting.

[yelp]

I agree with yelp.  It might be good if the citizens of WA could elect the director but I think King and Pierce counties would have the most influence thus it could go the way of bear baiting and hound hunting.

Welcome gadwall. 

[colockumelk]

Admit it you'd hit it.

dude that is so wrong 

Admit it you laughed.

[12Gauge]

Admit it you'd hit it.

Not even with your pole.  
I used to work for the State, with ESD & DOP.  Met her, man, you can drive a truck through those nostrils.

[yelp]

Nostrils!  LMAO  That is the first thing I look at!...Take that pantsuit off and I am sure it gets better....UUHGH  ..your right I guess the nostrils are the best part!..LOL       I think I will look at the mole!  LOL    I'm bad...

[GOcougsHunter]

Yelp and Gadwall are correct.  If the WDFW becomes an elected commish position (OIC, Lands, etc voter determined) you will have commissioners comprised of only one thing and thought, getting re-elected.  They will say and do anything to get re-elected with no care or attention to long term (and sometimes unpopular) issues and programs.   At least with an appointed (and non-partisan) position, we are more than likely to get someone in the position who may actually have a PhD in a wildlife science rather than some politico who looks good on TV.

Remember that the appointed WDFW director during the bear baiting/hound hunting fiasco was vehmently opposed to the statewide vote and putting wildlife policy decisions in the hands of a very uninformed public.  If the director was seeking re-election during one of these "grass roots efforts"  I promise he/she would not be on the side of logic.

Do not let the commisioner ever be an elected position.

[colockumelk]

That's a really good point.  I guess it's a somewhat complicated matter.  I'll have to think more an that.  Good post. coug. 

[Wacenturion]

Coug.....you said......

"At least with an appointed (and non-partisan) position, we are more than likely to get someone in the position who may actually have a PhD in a wildlife science rather than some politico who looks good on TV."

The PHD's in that agency are part of the problem........they're still live in academia.  They don't know how to relate to the average sportman.  The previous director is only one example......all he ever did before he came here was to write 19 research papers on salmon related issues.  That was in a 15-20 stint with Alaska.  Gee, that left a lot of time to interact with sportmen in the field during his career.....NOT! 

The WDFW Commission was so taken by the salmon savior from the north, that they missed the fact that he was a dude management wise, as nothing on his experience showed anything along those lines.  In fact I heard that the general public in one region in Alaska where he worked was ready to run him out of town.

Don't need any more of those type of selections......


   

[Gobble Gobble]

From what I hear beauty is only a light switch away. Just remember it doesn't matter how fug ugly they are there is always someone desperate enough to.....   excise me...  tap it.

[fc2038]

I think only people who hunt/fish and buy licenses should be able to vote on who is in there. 

 

[colockumelk]

 

[elkangel]

What about establishing a Wildlife Congress,  were we get one wildlife member for each of the 39 counties, they are appointed by the County Commissioners in each county for a 4 year term.  Then they meet twice a year, they elect the 9 member game commission from their membership, to a 4 year term.  This would allow better representation from the each county.  But, we still would have to determin how the director would be hired?  Appointed by the Governor, or by the new wildlife congress, commission? 

These are just some thoughts, to try and get more citizen involvement with the WDFW.

[colockumelk]

 
That is an awsome idea.  That is the best idea I've heard in a long time.  That way we'd have representation without the hippies and anti groups getting in the way.  I think that would be an awsome idea. 

[FrankDown]

They arent going to want to pay all those people.

[elkangel]

The wildlife congress would not be a paid position, it would be civic duty to serve.  The 9 member commission could be reimbursed just as the commission is today, or milage, hotel, food and office staff expense. 

By communicating with email and web sights the 39 members can keep in touch with little to no expense.

Unless you don't think we could find one person per county that would be willing to serve for free?

[Gobble Gobble]

I GOT DIBS ON BENTON COUNTY!!!!!!!!   

[runamuk]

They arent going to want to pay all those people.

Total thread jack here  prepare for rant....OH and this is NOT directed to the above poster just to the statement 

I've served on boards and never was it paid I did it because I gave a *censored* about what was going on....

Why the hell is it always about the damn money... what happened to this country that people no longer want to serve on boards and commissions etc because they CARE about this country.... ALL of the paid politicians should be working for the good of the country and working for the people... a big fat pay cut and freeze might change the way this game is played  I see no reason for these 100k+ paychecks.....plus all the perks.... give em 25,000 a year plus the cost of actual travel by normal modes.....    off to soak my head in a bucket of cold water

[Gobble Gobble]

I'd love to be on a committee that allowed me to have a voice (myself and my fellow outdoorsman) when it came to game management and how the land is used for hunting & fishing purposes. I'd do it for free but wouldn't say no it someone offered to pay my travel expenses.

A department of the people, by the people, for the people [insert American Flan icon]