Post by: bigtex on January 11, 2025, 01:07:50 PM
By Andy Walgamott January 11, 2025 HEADLINES 0 Comments
A Northeast Washington woman active in the regional Rotary Club has been named to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, state records show.
Lynn Theresa O’Connor of Ferry County has very big boots to fill as she replaces Douglas County rancher Molly Linville, who was informed yesterday by the Governor’s Office she would not be reappointed to her Eastern Washington seat, a blow to sportsmen and a loss of some of the last remaining shreds of dignity to the citizen panel overseeing WDFW policies at a time when it’s widely seen as “dysfunctional.”
“I am excited to be on the commission, but I am so new that I plan to listen and learn for a while,” O’Connor said in an emailed statement early this afternoon. “I bring no agenda except a desire to serve in a group that listens to many different perspectives in the hope of creating sound, balanced policies.”
Her LinkedIn profile shows she has been active in the Rotary Club’s District 5080 – she’s the local public image chair – and a bio states she oversaw 57 clubs in Eastern Washington, Idaho and British Columbia as a district governor. She owned Colville Sign Company for over 19 years. Prior to that she was a state park aide and seasonal national park ranger in California and at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.
O’Connor is also on the board of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Association and in the early 2010s she was the president, vice president and a member of the board of the Kettle Range Conservation Group of Northeast Washington. She attended Illinois Wesleyan University in the late 1970s and early 1980s for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
If O’Connor’s name rings a bell, it’s because she was attacked by a bear while hiking with her dogs in September on her and her husband’s 1,000-acre property south of WDFW’s Sherman Creek Wildlife Area above Lake Roosevelt.
The attack, O’Connor’s initial reaction to defend herself by punching the sow three times, the puncture wounds to her shoulder and head she suffered and which required hospital treatment and 18 staples, and her request of game wardens not to kill the offending bear were widely reported in the news.
She recounted the incident and bear conflict prevention measures in two WGIPPA videos.
Her bio points to “deep experience in steady leadership and conflict resolution” gained during the Covid pandemic and states she “remains dedicated to community service and navigating the complexities of community needs and projects.”
O’Connor’s appointment by Governor Jay Inslee came within the last 100 hours of his third term, four years in which he has placed a number of controversial members on the commission as there’s been a wider push to “reform” state fish and wildlife management and agencies. The Governor’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for her commission application, but when it does, I’ll fold that in.
Inslee yesterday also reappointed Commission Vice Chair Tim Ragen of Anacortes. Both Ragen and O’Connor are slated to serve through December 31, 2030. Commissioner Jim Anderson was left on the panel but without official reappointment.
https://nwsportsmanmag.com/ferry-county-woman-named-to-wa-fish-and-wildlife-commission/
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Post by: bigtex on January 11, 2025, 01:17:07 PM
I'd be shocked if Jim Anderson can stick thru the next few days.
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Post by: Buckhunter24 on January 11, 2025, 01:56:28 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2025, 02:07:35 PM
Post by: MADMAX on January 11, 2025, 02:09:02 PM
Post by: pd on January 11, 2025, 02:32:08 PM
With 4 days left in the Governor's office you can bet this is Inslee flexing his muscle to form the commission in the way he wants it.
Hmmm. That is an interesting perspective. Over these many years not once did I get the feeling that Inslee even cared about the F&W Commission. I have never heard him speak about F&W issues.
I always suspected that he left this issue to aides (which is common, of course, for governors, presidents).
Having said that, it would not surprise me to hear of "score settling" in the dying days of an administration that will be quickly forgotten by history.
Post by: Limhangerslayer on January 11, 2025, 02:38:29 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on January 11, 2025, 02:41:08 PM
I'd guess it was crunch time negotiating to get Jaydolf a coveted spot on the board of some group like sierra club, biological diversity, peta, alf, etc.With 4 days left in the Governor's office you can bet this is Inslee flexing his muscle to form the commission in the way he wants it.
Hmmm. That is an interesting perspective. Over these many years not once did I get the feeling that Inslee even cared about the F&W Commission. I have never heard him speak about F&W issues.
I always suspected that he left this issue to aides (which is common, of course, for governors, presidents).
Having said that, it would not surprise me to hear of "score settling" in the dying days of an administration that will be quickly forgotten by history.
Post by: bigtex on January 11, 2025, 02:45:19 PM
True. I should say the Inslee Admin.With 4 days left in the Governor's office you can bet this is Inslee flexing his muscle to form the commission in the way he wants it.
Hmmm. That is an interesting perspective. Over these many years not once did I get the feeling that Inslee even cared about the F&W Commission. I have never heard him speak about F&W issues.
I always suspected that he left this issue to aides (which is common, of course, for governors, presidents).
Having said that, it would not surprise me to hear of "score settling" in the dying days of an administration that will be quickly forgotten by history.
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Post by: Platensek-po on January 11, 2025, 03:14:48 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on January 11, 2025, 03:24:38 PM
Post by: Bullkllr on January 11, 2025, 04:41:00 PM
Does not inspire much confidence of even a middle-roader.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on January 11, 2025, 05:16:20 PM
With 4 days left in the Governor's office you can bet this is Inslee flexing his muscle to form the commission in the way he wants it.
Hmmm. That is an interesting perspective. Over these many years not once did I get the feeling that Inslee even cared about the F&W Commission. I have never heard him speak about F&W issues.
I always suspected that he left this issue to aides (which is common, of course, for governors, presidents).
Having said that, it would not surprise me to hear of "score settling" in the dying days of an administration that will be quickly forgotten by history.
Inslee is an old man but is a new school Democrat. He is definitely anti consumptive use and pro preservation over conservation. I am sure he is similar in his mindset as the Colorados queer. The main difference being all the heavy lifting has already been done for him. He can appoint whoever he likes, to the commision. Those seats should be elected from within the districts they represent. IMO
Post by: CJ1962 on January 11, 2025, 05:31:12 PM
Do you know who the executive director of KRCG is? Tim Coleman
Tim Coleman was kicked of the WAG by Kelly Suswind
https://nwsportsmanmag.com/on-the-dismissal-of-a-wdfw-wolf-advisory-group-member/
Also In several lawsuits by KRCG against the Forest Service the lawyer representing them was Claire Loebs Davis. If you don't know who she is, she is the head of Washington Wildlife First.
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/waedce/2:2021cv00161/95480/74/
So I don't expect Lynn to be on the side of hunters.
Post by: pickardjw on January 11, 2025, 05:51:00 PM
Between the anti-hunting game commission and anti-2A rest of the government I’m at my breaking point. Hard to leave a good job/company though for the unknown.
Post by: jasnt on January 11, 2025, 10:19:29 PM
Post by: TriggerMike on January 11, 2025, 10:51:19 PM
Post by: bearpaw on January 12, 2025, 01:44:55 AM
Post by: jeffro on January 12, 2025, 05:50:32 AM
If you're reading this thread and voted for inslee, :pee:Not even close
Post by: hunter399 on January 12, 2025, 08:02:19 AM
The Kettle Range group is just another anti hunting group that promotes predators, files lawsuits against the forest service to stop logging and promote predators. Another left wing eco group!Yup ,I agree.
Different region,but same goals as all the other anti-hunting groups.
Can't remember for sure
I believe they are one of the names listed on the cougar petition.
Lots of wolves and fun anti stuff on there website.
http://www.kettlerange.org/
Post by: fishngamereaper on January 12, 2025, 08:08:49 AM
At some point this needs to go before the court's....
Post by: hunter399 on January 12, 2025, 08:20:25 AM
I'll explain.....
Inslee can stack the commission for old Bob before he leaves office. It causes zero repercussions for Bob Ferguson re-election goals.
Post by: bigtex on January 12, 2025, 08:37:59 AM
It's a power play.Sorry but for the general public the Commission isn't really an issue in the governor's race. This has nothing to do with Ferguson's re-election possibilities. And if the rumors are true, Ferguson and Inslee aren't exactly buds.
I'll explain.....
Inslee can stack the commission for old Bob before he leaves office. It causes zero repercussions for Bob Ferguson re-election goals.
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Post by: hunter399 on January 12, 2025, 08:48:50 AM
General public ,you are correct.It's a power play.Sorry but for the general public the Commission isn't really an issue in the governor's race. This has nothing to do with Ferguson's re-election possibilities. And if the rumors are true, Ferguson and Inslee aren't exactly buds.
I'll explain.....
Inslee can stack the commission for old Bob before he leaves office. It causes zero repercussions for Bob Ferguson re-election goals.
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I forgot only two county's control the election.
Any way you look at it,her appointment won't help sportsmen/sportswomen.
I guess I'll be waiting to see if Bob Ferguson will fix the commission.
Post by: jeffro on January 12, 2025, 08:51:13 AM
Truly disappointing
Post by: Buckhunter24 on January 12, 2025, 09:02:38 AM
If you're reading this thread and voted for inslee, :pee:Not even close
It's a bullseye. He hates sportsmen and anyone that has ever voted for him has hurt hunting and fishing.
Post by: EnglishSetter on January 12, 2025, 10:17:43 AM
Post by: Humptulips on January 12, 2025, 12:42:35 PM
Post by: Griiz on January 12, 2025, 03:03:00 PM
All this finger pointing and hand wringing about the dysfunctionality of the Commission. It has all been engineered by the worst Governor in WA history.
True statement and the egotistical narcissist thinks he’s the greatest around. Makes the hair stand up on my neck to hear his voice. Hoping with the shift I’m seeing in society right now and people with influence speaking out against woke policies that it will eventually hit Washington and things will turn a little.
Post by: MADMAX on January 12, 2025, 03:07:56 PM
Same as when he was a congressman
Can’t find his azz with both hands
Post by: KNOPHISH on January 12, 2025, 03:16:10 PM
Post by: bearhunter99 on January 12, 2025, 03:26:54 PM
All this finger pointing and hand wringing about the dysfunctionality of the Commission. It has all been engineered by the worst Governor in WA history.***worst Governor in WA history TO DATE
Sideshow Bob is gonna take that crown pretty quickly if you ask me.
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Post by: fishngamereaper on January 12, 2025, 03:40:45 PM
Isn’t there a selection process RCW. where they nominate a few candidates and pick after interviews. You know like some transparency?
No
Even if there was they wouldn't care..rules don't apply to our rulers....case in point the illegal appointment of Lorna Smith...
Post by: Sundance on January 12, 2025, 03:56:07 PM
Isn’t there a selection process RCW. where they nominate a few candidates and pick after interviews. You know like some transparency?
No
Even if there was they wouldn't care..rules don't apply to our rulers....case in point the illegal appointment of Lorna Smith...
I emailed the Senior Policy Advisor of Natural Resources for Inslee last Friday. I asked if the applications for the past round were being considered for the open seats and if they were conducting interviews again. Last time I spoke to this Advisor and Barbara Baker on the phone before I had a zoom interview for the positions. The response I got was “we are close to issuing a decision.” So they were not reaching out to old applicants, they had an agenda and they just pushed it through.
Post by: chukarchaser on January 12, 2025, 05:11:33 PM
If you're reading this thread and votehter ded for inslee, :pee:
Or any oher democrat at any point where there was another option
Post by: Bushcraft on January 13, 2025, 06:34:59 AM
"vice president and a member of the board of the Kettle Range Conservation Group of Northeast Washington"
Do you know who the executive director of KRCG is? Tim Coleman
Tim Coleman was kicked of the WAG by Kelly Suswind
https://nwsportsmanmag.com/on-the-dismissal-of-a-wdfw-wolf-advisory-group-member/
Also In several lawsuits by KRCG against the Forest Service the lawyer representing them was Claire Loebs Davis. If you don't know who she is, she is the head of Washington Wildlife First.
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/waedce/2:2021cv00161/95480/74/
So I don't expect Lynn to be on the side of hunters.
Yep. The proverbial bread crumbs weren't hard to find.
Post by: James on January 13, 2025, 09:05:12 AM
Which means they can now pass or not pass whatever they want...
What legal recourse do we have?
Post by: Mtnwalker on January 13, 2025, 09:17:57 AM
Correct me if I am wrong, but this means the commission now has 4 animal rights activists, 3 normal members, and 1 "swingish" voter.
Which means they can now pass or not pass whatever they want...
What legal recourse do we have?
Not much when Inslee's self appointed judges block legal action against them before it has a chance to see the light of day
Post by: hunter_sean08 on January 13, 2025, 01:01:09 PM
Post by: Platensek-po on January 13, 2025, 01:10:01 PM
Post by: KNOPHISH on January 13, 2025, 02:22:27 PM
Post by: bigtex on January 13, 2025, 05:03:35 PM
Don’t they still have to be confirmed? We can write to NOT confirm but that usually doesn’t help even with facts.Yes but they can serve without being confirmed for years. There is no requirement they actually be confirmed before taking part in votes.
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Post by: Humptulips on January 13, 2025, 05:37:14 PM
Post by: dwils233 on January 13, 2025, 06:32:32 PM
Don’t they still have to be confirmed? We can write to NOT confirm but that usually doesn’t help even with facts.Yes but they can serve without being confirmed for years. There is no requirement they actually be confirmed before taking part in votes.
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Only hope is Ferguson withdraws O'Conner's appointment. Not sure if he could do the same for Ragen. I believe he could do this if he wanted to. It will tell us what the next four years will be like, I guess.
Just for everyone keeping track, this means that Ferguson needs to pull them back or the senate should reject via hearing by the next Commission meeting- Feb. 13
Once they've sat through a meeting, I'd think the likelihood of them going away decreases significantly. It's got to happen quickly. Which isn't helpful in a year with a lot of new legislators, a new governor, and a 12b budget crisis
The good news is that Ferguson's natural resource advisor looks solid, so there's hope?
Post by: bigtex on January 13, 2025, 06:40:32 PM
It will not happen before Feb 13. I wouldn't be shocked if it doesn't happen in 2025. There have been commissioners on the commission who sat for several years before being confirmed.Don’t they still have to be confirmed? We can write to NOT confirm but that usually doesn’t help even with facts.Yes but they can serve without being confirmed for years. There is no requirement they actually be confirmed before taking part in votes.
Sent from my SM-G973U using TapatalkOnly hope is Ferguson withdraws O'Conner's appointment. Not sure if he could do the same for Ragen. I believe he could do this if he wanted to. It will tell us what the next four years will be like, I guess.
Just for everyone keeping track, this means that Ferguson needs to pull them back or the senate should reject via hearing by the next Commission meeting- Feb. 13
Once they've sat through a meeting, I'd think the likelihood of them going away decreases significantly. It's got to happen quickly. Which isn't helpful in a year with a lot of new legislators, a new governor, and a 12b budget crisis
The good news is that Ferguson's natural resource advisor looks solid, so there's hope?
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Post by: bigtex on January 13, 2025, 06:47:43 PM
The good news is that Ferguson's natural resource advisor looks solid, so there's hope?I haven't seen the name/announcement..
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Post by: Humptulips on January 13, 2025, 08:32:17 PM
My memory is a bit foggy on this but didn't Insley dismiss some Commissioners. They hadn't been confirmed at the time. I don't think any reason was given for booting them. If Insley can do it Freguson can do it.It will not happen before Feb 13. I wouldn't be shocked if it doesn't happen in 2025. There have been commissioners on the commission who sat for several years before being confirmed.Don’t they still have to be confirmed? We can write to NOT confirm but that usually doesn’t help even with facts.Yes but they can serve without being confirmed for years. There is no requirement they actually be confirmed before taking part in votes.
Sent from my SM-G973U using TapatalkOnly hope is Ferguson withdraws O'Conner's appointment. Not sure if he could do the same for Ragen. I believe he could do this if he wanted to. It will tell us what the next four years will be like, I guess.
Just for everyone keeping track, this means that Ferguson needs to pull them back or the senate should reject via hearing by the next Commission meeting- Feb. 13
Once they've sat through a meeting, I'd think the likelihood of them going away decreases significantly. It's got to happen quickly. Which isn't helpful in a year with a lot of new legislators, a new governor, and a 12b budget crisis
The good news is that Ferguson's natural resource advisor looks solid, so there's hope?
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Post by: dwils233 on January 13, 2025, 09:51:15 PM
My memory is a bit foggy on this but didn't Insley dismiss some Commissioners. They hadn't been confirmed at the time. I don't think any reason was given for booting them. If Insley can do it Freguson can do it.It will not happen before Feb 13. I wouldn't be shocked if it doesn't happen in 2025. There have been commissioners on the commission who sat for several years before being confirmed.Don’t they still have to be confirmed? We can write to NOT confirm but that usually doesn’t help even with facts.Yes but they can serve without being confirmed for years. There is no requirement they actually be confirmed before taking part in votes.
Sent from my SM-G973U using TapatalkOnly hope is Ferguson withdraws O'Conner's appointment. Not sure if he could do the same for Ragen. I believe he could do this if he wanted to. It will tell us what the next four years will be like, I guess.
Just for everyone keeping track, this means that Ferguson needs to pull them back or the senate should reject via hearing by the next Commission meeting- Feb. 13
Once they've sat through a meeting, I'd think the likelihood of them going away decreases significantly. It's got to happen quickly. Which isn't helpful in a year with a lot of new legislators, a new governor, and a 12b budget crisis
The good news is that Ferguson's natural resource advisor looks solid, so there's hope?
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The only one I remember was Larry Carpenter a few years back, but that was kind of different. He served for months unconfirmed before being replaced by Ragen...but he had already served a full term as a confirmed appointee.
If there was another one- that was appointed served unconfirmed, and then failed to secure a confirmation leading to removal, I don't remember it- but I'd be really interested to know it. Granted, I don't know what went down throughout Inslee's entire term(s)
My general point is, i think the senate would be very slow to "fire" someone who showed "on the job experience" by sitting on the Commission for even a month or two, same goes for Ferguson as I imagine it's a low priority for him. Especially with the other things going on around this session.
Post by: KrisKamm27 on January 18, 2025, 04:42:25 PM
She asked that the best that attacked her not be harmed? Oh boy.
Seems a bit problematic, and putting other people at risk to serve her own personal desires.
I always feel like so much of the human history was filled with people and children being brutally attacked, killed and eaten by carnivores. Animals don't have a Disneyland identity, they just want to eat whatever they can catch
When an animal attacks a person you have to cull it. You may have your own personal desires but zooming out a bit to a larger reality, do you REALLY want a bear with a taste of human blood and a sense that it doesn't have to be wary of humans. A big hungry bear eventually wandering onto a playground and snagging a toddler?
Post by: James on January 20, 2025, 11:37:06 AM
I am willing to drop some cash to groups that will throw some lawsuits at this to fix it.
Post by: Mtnwalker on January 20, 2025, 12:16:30 PM
Any word what groups we should support to fix this legally? WWC? Sportsman Alliance? Other?
I am willing to drop some cash to groups that will throw some lawsuits at this to fix it.
Wish WWC would have a bit more online and social media presence. Seems like we hear from them a few times a year and that's about it, I'm not sure where anything stands as far as their more recent actions or what donations are really going towards at the moment
Post by: EnglishSetter on January 20, 2025, 02:48:58 PM
She asked that the best that attacked her not be harmed? Oh boy.
Seems a bit problematic, and putting other people at risk to serve her own personal desires.
I always feel like so much of the human history was filled with people and children being brutally attacked, killed and eaten by carnivores. Animals don't have a Disneyland identity, they just want to eat whatever they can catch
When an animal attacks a person you have to cull it. You may have your own personal desires but zooming out a bit to a larger reality, do you REALLY want a bear with a taste of human blood and a sense that it doesn't have to be wary of humans. A big hungry bear eventually wandering onto a playground and snagging a toddler?
Well they died doing what they loved. Right?