WDFW Commision Member is violating State Law

[nwmein199]

Please contact your representatives, WDFW, WA Governor, and Attorney General to ask why Lorna Smith is still on the WDFW Commission after a judge ruled she is breaking a state law and ask that she be removed from the commission for breaking a state law.

If you have not already listened to this podcast, please do: https://hunttalkradio.com/2023/07/25/episode-220-junking-the-north-american-model-of-wildlife-conservation-episode-220/

https://nwsportsmanmag.com/org-judge-rules-smith-wa-fwc-appointment-violates-state-law/

[greenhead_killer]

good looking out. will get on it here shortly

[Special T]

I think this well meaning lawsuit will open a can of worms and not accomplish what it sets out to do. The remedy will likely be her stepping down from the county position and staying on the WDFW. It will also open up liabilities for other good commissioners as well as make it harder to find suitable candidates that are pro hunting.

[Platensek-po]

I think this well meaning lawsuit will open a can of worms and not accomplish what it sets out to do. The remedy will likely be her stepping down from the county position and staying on the WDFW. It will also open up liabilities for other good commissioners as well as make it harder to find suitable candidates that are pro hunting.

From how I understand it she couldn’t have been appointed to the position on the commission. Therefor she has to resign from the commission and not the county seat. It’s of course very possible I’m wrong but that’s how I understood it.

The judge, Mary Sue Wilson, issued a declaratory judgement that Lorna Smith’s holding of the Jefferson County appointed office is incompatible with appointment and service on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission,” reported the foundation’s Brian Lynn. “In other words, her appointment was in violation of the Fish and Wildlife Commission appointment statute.”

[Special T]

I think this well meaning lawsuit will open a can of worms and not accomplish what it sets out to do. The remedy will likely be her stepping down from the county position and staying on the WDFW. It will also open up liabilities for other good commissioners as well as make it harder to find suitable candidates that are pro hunting.

From how I understand it she couldn’t have been appointed to the position on the commission. Therefor she has to resign from the commission and not the county seat. It’s of course very possible I’m wrong but that’s how I understood it.

The judge, Mary Sue Wilson, issued a declaratory judgement that Lorna Smith’s holding of the Jefferson County appointed office is incompatible with appointment and service on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission,” reported the foundation’s Brian Lynn. “In other words, her appointment was in violation of the Fish and Wildlife Commission appointment statute.”

In an ideal world this might be the case that she cannot stay in her seat. We do know however that the Govenor has been willing to bend the rules. I am not 100%certain how this will work out either. We do know that following the letter of the law is not the governors strong suit, and Thurston county normally bends in favor of the political leadership. 

[Mtnwalker]

I think this well meaning lawsuit will open a can of worms and not accomplish what it sets out to do. The remedy will likely be her stepping down from the county position and staying on the WDFW. It will also open up liabilities for other good commissioners as well as make it harder to find suitable candidates that are pro hunting.

Darned if ya do, darned if ya don't. We are at the point in WA where we can't keep maintaining the status quo just because things could be worse. Results aside its nice to see some action

[nwmein199]

I think this well meaning lawsuit will open a can of worms and not accomplish what it sets out to do. The remedy will likely be her stepping down from the county position and staying on the WDFW. It will also open up liabilities for other good commissioners as well as make it harder to find suitable candidates that are pro hunting.

Darned if ya do, darned if ya don't. We are at the point in WA where we can't keep maintaining the status quo just because things could be worse. Results aside its nice to see some action

The anti-hunting crowd is very vocal and active and that has helped get us to the point we are at. We need to match that energy. I have been emailing complaints literally every day and will continue to do so

[Platensek-po]

I think this well meaning lawsuit will open a can of worms and not accomplish what it sets out to do. The remedy will likely be her stepping down from the county position and staying on the WDFW. It will also open up liabilities for other good commissioners as well as make it harder to find suitable candidates that are pro hunting.

From how I understand it she couldn’t have been appointed to the position on the commission. Therefor she has to resign from the commission and not the county seat. It’s of course very possible I’m wrong but that’s how I understood it.

The judge, Mary Sue Wilson, issued a declaratory judgement that Lorna Smith’s holding of the Jefferson County appointed office is incompatible with appointment and service on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission,” reported the foundation’s Brian Lynn. “In other words, her appointment was in violation of the Fish and Wildlife Commission appointment statute.”

In an ideal world this might be the case that she cannot stay in her seat. We do know however that the Govenor has been willing to bend the rules. I am not 100%certain how this will work out either. We do know that following the letter of the law is not the governors strong suit, and Thurston county normally bends in favor of the political leadership. 

Yeah can’t argue against that. Just hoping that judge makes it clear she has to vacate the seat she was appointed to illegally and not the seat she already was occupying. At this point we can only hope for the best. It’s also my understanding that the seat on the school board is not an appointed position and therefor should be fine. Again I’m not %100 but that’s how it seemed to me.

[Special T]

I think this well meaning lawsuit will open a can of worms and not accomplish what it sets out to do. The remedy will likely be her stepping down from the county position and staying on the WDFW. It will also open up liabilities for other good commissioners as well as make it harder to find suitable candidates that are pro hunting.

From how I understand it she couldn’t have been appointed to the position on the commission. Therefor she has to resign from the commission and not the county seat. It’s of course very possible I’m wrong but that’s how I understood it.

The judge, Mary Sue Wilson, issued a declaratory judgement that Lorna Smith’s holding of the Jefferson County appointed office is incompatible with appointment and service on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission,” reported the foundation’s Brian Lynn. “In other words, her appointment was in violation of the Fish and Wildlife Commission appointment statute.”

In an ideal world this might be the case that she cannot stay in her seat. We do know however that the Govenor has been willing to bend the rules. I am not 100%certain how this will work out either. We do know that following the letter of the law is not the governors strong suit, and Thurston county normally bends in favor of the political leadership. 

Yeah can’t argue against that. Just hoping that judge makes it clear she has to vacate the seat she was appointed to illegally and not the seat she already was occupying. At this point we can only hope for the best. It’s also my understanding that the seat on the school board is not an appointed position and therefor should be fine. Again I’m not %100 but that’s how it seemed to me.

If it works out for sportsmen in the best case scenario you can bet they will play hit for tat.

[nwmein199]

I think this well meaning lawsuit will open a can of worms and not accomplish what it sets out to do. The remedy will likely be her stepping down from the county position and staying on the WDFW. It will also open up liabilities for other good commissioners as well as make it harder to find suitable candidates that are pro hunting.

From how I understand it she couldn’t have been appointed to the position on the commission. Therefor she has to resign from the commission and not the county seat. It’s of course very possible I’m wrong but that’s how I understood it.

The judge, Mary Sue Wilson, issued a declaratory judgement that Lorna Smith’s holding of the Jefferson County appointed office is incompatible with appointment and service on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission,” reported the foundation’s Brian Lynn. “In other words, her appointment was in violation of the Fish and Wildlife Commission appointment statute.”

In an ideal world this might be the case that she cannot stay in her seat. We do know however that the Govenor has been willing to bend the rules. I am not 100%certain how this will work out either. We do know that following the letter of the law is not the governors strong suit, and Thurston county normally bends in favor of the political leadership. 

Yeah can’t argue against that. Just hoping that judge makes it clear she has to vacate the seat she was appointed to illegally and not the seat she already was occupying. At this point we can only hope for the best. It’s also my understanding that the seat on the school board is not an appointed position and therefor should be fine. Again I’m not %100 but that’s how it seemed to me.

Agreed. If we stay quiet and just hope then we can bet that it wont go in our favor. Anti-hunting crowd has gotten things their way by not hoping and not staying quiet.

[James]

This is going to be a mess no matter what, but I truly believe that getting WDFW commissioners which are not anti fishing/hunting needs to be the hill that sportsman are willing to die on.

If we can't claw our way back there, all our fishing/hunting will fall in time.

[Henrydog]

Done, I just fired off an email to Mike Padden, My rep, and Sideshow Bob.  My guess is I won't hear back from Sideshow.

[Humptulips]

If she doesn't vacate the seat it makes every vote by the Commission subject to a lawsuit.

[Smokeploe]

Need to let the judge know that she is violating her ruling.  Maybe she will hold Ms smith in contempt of court and toss her in jail.

Smokeploe

[Mtnwalker]

Need to let the judge know that she is violating her ruling.  Maybe she will hold Ms smith in contempt of court and toss her in jail.

Smokeploe