Politicos
Hamstring Maryland DNR …..May 2001
The
unexpected actions have further lowered morale at department headquarters where
according to Bill Burton, associate editor of Fishing
& Hunting Journal, “morale has been at an all time low”.
According to Burton the word about the ousters spread fast and “phones
and the Internet were busy with complaints, many targeting Gov. Glendening who
in the past has been increasingly accused of meddling in department affairs.
Many complain he dictates department policy, orders the overriding of
decisions and recommendations made by fish and wildlife scientists and
managers.”
According
to Burton both Jensen and Slattery had been in hot water with Assistant DNR
Secretary Carolyn Watson. “Ms Watson, god-daughter of the governor (really) is
considered exceptionally anti-hunter and is a member of the Non-Lethal Task
Force. Many within and outside the
department accuse her of being the governor’s “hit woman” within DNR-and
some fear she’s being groomed to be the next secretary”.
Burton
says that criticism following the firings has been exceptionally harsh.
Following are some of the comments he cites:
·
Slattery:
“It’s regrettable I’m not able to serve the state’s sportsmen and
sportswomen, but I regret mostly not being able to manage the state’s wildlife
resources.”
·
Jensen:
“Absolutely no doubt about it…a clear agenda in favor of
anti-traditional constituents…an anti-hunting, anti-fishing, anti-trapping
administration…no dissenting voices are tolerated, it’s ‘my way or the
highway,’ the department has become a dumping grounds to gain good political
capital. (There are unconfirmed
rumors that Jensen will sit in on coastal fisheries matters for Del. Ron Guns,
which certainly would displease the department, but also work well for
Maryland’s fishermen)
·
Jim
Gilford, immediate past chairman of the Sportsfishing Advisory Commission and
chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council: “A stupid move by a
very misinformed governor. Who else
has the smarts and institutional memory to replace Pete? There will be repercussions far beyond the borders of
Maryland. The department is loaded
with cronies (of the governor); it has become a dumping ground in a deal-making
process. I also fear for the future
of hunting.”
·
Steve
Palmer, president of the Washington County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs,
the dominate force in Western Maryland outdoor circles: “For the past seven
years, Glendening has continuously shown his contempt for the Wildlife and
Heritage Division by his irresponsible wildlife management policies and his
unqualified appointments to both administrative and commission posts.
The most recent action is obviously retribution for something that has
upset the governor or one of his extremist animal rights friends.
It’s indefensible!”
To
read all of Bill Burton’s editorial see the May 2001 Fishing
& Hunting Journal.