Political DNR

[cisco]

Tommy Thompson was successful in reorganizing much of Wis state government during his long tenure. Although many fought the move, he restructured the DNR so that the Sec would be a political appointment, e.g. a cabinet member (to serve strictly at the pleasure of the governor, and not accountable to a citizens natural resources board). George Meyer was the first to be affected, but served well under Thompson.

OK, Thompson goes off to Washington to try helping the Bush league, and his Wis replacement fires Meyer and appoints his own DNR Sec. If you care to read something really powerful, check out "Meyer's DNR Legacy Should Not Be Clouded" in the March 2 edition of Wisconsin Outdoor News. It is written by Meyer's wife, Jayne E. Meyer, but is nonetheless a noteworty item. She underscores many of the reasons why DNR chief should not be a political appointee.

In Minn it's no better, as the DNR chief has always been a cabinet position -- and, the top three DNR folks are ex-cops with little demonstrated interest in hunting and fishing or expertise in resource management and issues. Of course, Jesse likes to surround himself with cops -- look how swollen the governor's security staff has gotten.

[J.F.C.]

Cisco:
An agency that is as important to ourdoorsmen and all people who are concerned about nauural resosurces, as the DNR is, SHOULD be concerned about this troubling trend. The DNR has to be independent of politicians.
As voters, we all can vote for the next governor who will promise to return the DNR to its independent status.
It's in your hands, Cisco, and mine. VOTE accordingly in the next governatoral election. J.F.C.

[cisco]

I'm no longer a Wis resident, so can't do much there. I am, however, active in Minn politics and will continue to try to make a difference.

Natural resources are not partisan political concerns -- Thompson put Wis back half a century, while Illinois is moving in the right direction. Minn has been smug and content, thinking resource management here has been a model for all others to emulate. While much is very good in Minn., I fear for the future with the present DNR leadership.

[Al]

I agree that it should not be an appointed position. Remember when Jesse the Mouth got into Minn? He tried to appoint some buddy of his to the DNR post that had a rap sheet for game violations. Here you go buddy. I really don't find him any different than any other politician except he's a pitiful football announcer also.

[ErieAngler]

You call that football?!! Hey guys I'm from Ohio and am in the dark about how your states used to appoint the DNR chief. COuld you explain for those of that live in states where the governor does it? Thanks.

[cisco]

Until Thompson changed it in Wis, the Guv did make the nomination, which was then approved/disapproved by the citizen Natural Resources Board. If approved, the Sec of the DNR would serve INDEPENDENT of the Guv and not a member of the cabinet. The Guv could NOT remove the DNR Sec.

Thompson was so friendly toward mining he wanted to clear the way for the Crandon project which fails just about every test under environmental protection, clean water, etc. Now the DNR Sec can be (and just was) removed on the Guv's whim.