Found this article on another site, and was also in yesterdays paper. NIce to see some who value accountability, and not simply bow to the whims of the ecoextremist agenda. Seems to hit the nail on the head. With our statewide harvest in the dirt, and debacles like the pgc claims of stabilization (like2a) in some wmus, yet they still continue to plummet.... We have commissioner seat openings, and it seems the same ol' same ol' is occurring. Replacing antideer commissioners with like-minded individuals. Id say the hunters of Pa are about fed up. I agree with slinkster 100% in this article.
[/align]Will another lawsuit be necessary?
By Jim Slinsky
03/22/2009
The PGC Commissioner selection process is one of the most absurd political systems in all of Pennsylvania politics.
Over the past eleven years I have addressed this topic before. The more you know about this distorted, unresponsive system, the more infuriating it becomes. I can think of at least one statewide sportsmen's advocacy group that has had enough and just might inject themselves into the nonsense in an effort to resolve it.
At the center of the controversy is PGC District 2, currently held by Roxane Palone and District 3, currently occupied by Russ Schleiden. Needless to remind you, these two are the King and Queen of the ongoing deer eradication program. They will be in my book for certain for future generations to remember.
Wind the clock back eight years and Bob Schlemmer was the most qualified and popular candidate for PGC District 2 Commissioner. Governor Ridge wanted Roxane Palone and after a series of rejections by the Senate, Roxane Palone was ultimately confirmed. No one knows for certain what deals were made to get Roxane Palone Senate approval. The rumor mill churned for eight long years that Bob Schlemmer was promised the position when Roxane Palone finished her term.
Rumors aside the Governor's Sportsman's Advisory Council (GSAC) gathered resumes and conducted interviews as if the position was wide open and available to the best candidate. About two years ago an excellent candidate, Mr. Randy Santucci started his charge for the position. He worked extremely hard traveling to Harrisburg, taking time off from his business, meeting with the right people. As so many predicted Bob Schlemmer was recently nominated by the Governor to the PA Senate. Obviously, Governor Rendell is proving that he is a man of his word. The name of David Putnam was sent by the Governor to the Senate to replace Russ Schleiden. We know nothing about David Putnam, but I seem to recall him as more of an environmentalist.
The point being this entire selection process is conducted in secrecy. So tight lipped is the GSAC you would think they are a branch of CIA. I believe the members of the GSAC are sworn to secrecy to get the position. Tragically, the GSAC has actually evolved into a surrogate for the political process of giving us political candidates. We could dismantle the GSAC and get the same candidates.
Yours truly has made a number of suggestions to involve the true stakeholders in this process. You know, the stakeholders that paid the PGC's bills and salaries for the last hundred years, the hunters of Pennsylvania.
First, we could appoint the outstanding Randy Santucci to complete the term of Commissioner Dan Hill of District 1, who resigned a few months back. Randy has a camp in District 1 for 30 years. He knows it intimately. Second, we can put some sunshine on the activities of the GSAC. Our sportsmen need to know who is applying for these Commissioner positions with their resumes being posted on the PGC website for all to review. Third, any names sent by the Governor to the Senate should be posted in the PA Bulleting for 90 days to gather input from the people who pay the bills, our sporting class. Fourth, legislation should be written to state that Commissioners "serve at the pleasure of the legislature and the sportsmen" and as such, we would involve the House in the process, not just the Senate. I recommended these changes to send a message to the Senate that a major storm is gathering if sportsmen aren't permitted to participate in the process of selecting those who control the future of hunting in Pennsylvania.
Let's look at this from a different angle. If PGC Commissioners served four year terms instead of eight and if sportsmen could reject the political operatives before they were seated, the Unified Sportsmen of Pa. would not have had to sue the PGC to put some common sense back in our deer management program. Under the current system with no input in the process, our sporting class may need to sue the Agency every few years to keep them honest.
The Governor, the Senate and our Representatives need to think deeply about the situation they have created and permitted to deteriorate. Our citizens nationally and locally are screaming loud and clear for responsible, responsive government. Don't be surprised if this pathetic Commissioner selection process manifests itself into yet another lawsuit.
Jim Slinsky is the host and producer of the "Outdoor Talk Network", a nationally syndicated, outdoor-talk radio program. For a station near you or to contact Jim, visit his website at www.outdoortalknetwork.com
Give it time Cornelius. RSB and his cheerleading squad are all beginning to boil. A head of steam is building and will burst. I am getting the popcorn ready for tonight's entertainment. Of course you've beat them up pretty bad the past couple of days. They might not have the strength to come limping on back for more.
I dont see where there is much on this particular topic for them to challenge. Its pretty much common knowledge the boc appointment system is a completely failed system that needs addressed. One of those things where everyone knows it to be so, but noone does anything about it.
Give it time Cornelius. RSB and his cheerleading squad are all beginning to boil. A head of steam is building and will burst. I am getting the popcorn ready for tonight's entertainment. Of course you've beat them up pretty bad the past couple of days. They might not have the strength to come limping on back for more.
I don"™t feel the slightest bit beat up. In fact, I figure every person withfully functioning brain cells is now much better educated on the truth about sound deer management principles then they were before. You guys with your nonsense actually make it easier to promote the real deer management principles and facts for thosecapable of using logic and/or learning.
As for this talk of a law suit, bring it on. The Game Commission, as an agency, doesn"™t have a dog in that fight since they don"™t have any input into the Commissioner selection process.
I can"™t wait to see the smoke that arises from the USP, or anyone else, taking on the Governor and Senate with the treat of a law suit against them on this issue.
I don"™t feel the slightest bit beat up. In fact, I figure every person withÂ*fully functioning brain cells is now much better educated on the truth about sound deer management principles then they were before. You guys with your nonsense actually make it easier to promote the real deer management principles and facts for thoseÂ*capable of using logic and/or learning.
Peta members also think they are winners because they aren't smart enough to realize they are losers nd you fit right in with that mentality.
__________________ In Miss. ,ARs reduced the average rack size of 2.5+ buck across the entire state
Another USP suit with fast Eddie and the Senate as defendents would indeed be interesting.
Something tells me that the current fee increase blackmail would fall apartin aNew York minute when the USP allies inHarrisburg find themselves on the recieving end of the stupidity.
Slimeskyand hisabsurd idea foranother suit aside, I think few would argue that the selection process for the BOC could be vastly improved and we'd all benefit by the shedding of moredaylight on the process.
Yes Corny, you heard right. I agreeit needs looked at. But a lawsuit, especially with that crackpot Slimeskyleading the charge, just aint the way to go. First off, he threatens to sue just about everyone. Second, his credibilityranks right up there with Slick Williewith far too many folks in this state.
__________________
Cant wait for 2012!
If guns kill people, spoons made Rosie O'Donnell fat!!!
RSB says: "I don"™t feel the slightest bit beat up. In fact, I figure every person withfully functioning brain cells is now much better educated on the truth about sound deer management principles then they were before.Z"
Yes.Including you, now that you'vebeen set straight.
"As for this talk of a law suit, bring it on. The Game Commission, as an agency, doesn"™t have a dog in that fight since they don"™t have any input into the Commissioner selection process. "
HA HA HA LMAO! Who are you trying to fool? I know you arent that stupid!!! Nice false bravado though. I seem to remember pgc saying the same about the audit, until that is they refused to cooperate!!!
"Something tells me that the current fee increase blackmail would fall apartin aNew York minute when the USP allies inHarrisburg find themselves on the recieving end of the stupidity."
The senate doenstdecide if there is to belicense fee hike.Neither does thegovernor. And the only stupidity is how the current system is set up.
"I think few would argue that the selection process for the BOC could be vastly improved and we'd all benefit by the shedding of moredaylight on the process. "
Absolutely. Cant believe you said it, but absolutely. (LOL)
"Yes Corny, you heard right. I agreeit needs looked at. But a lawsuit, especially with that crackpot Slimeskyleading the charge, just aint the way to go. First off, he threatens to sue just about everyone. Second, his credibilityranks right up there with Slick Williewith far too many folks in this state."
I dont know how muchhe would be "leading the way" cant really speculate. Didnt even actually say they were gonna have a lawsuit from what I read,justa thought from the sounds of it. Hey, why not usp?? I dont see Penn Fed volunteering to take the initiative or anyone else....The individuals like myself arent gonna all of a sudden organize and rise up against the machine....Though Im sure many would play supporting roles on their own.But i guarantee the system isnt gonna change itself voluntarily. Though there is about as much chance as hell freezing over, it wouldve been one heck of a showing if the sportsmen orgs couldve put aside their differences for once and only once and worked toward that common goal. What are the odds of that happening when Penn Fed has the environmentalists in their corner already, and members and other naturalists on the governor board as well...I dont believe theyd even WANT the system to change...
wow us NY'ers used to drool over PA's deer hunting!!!
It depends on whether you're looking for quality or quantity. We have less deer in most places but the quality of those deer is far better.
If you used to come to PA for an opening day parade of 50-60 smallish deer where a forkie was a prize, PA may not bethe place to come. If, on the other hand, you want to have a reasonable chance to hunt better bucks over a longer season as well as ample opportunities to harvest a doe, PA may indeed provide you with what you're looking for.
Just a decade ago, It would have been unheard offor a local without vast private land holdings living in the areaaround the Allegheny National Forest to engage in the business of outfitting hunters.Today, a thriving business now exists providing deer hunts to nonresidents on one of PA's bigger tracts of public hunting land. While a vocal minority continues to complain about the reduction in quantity, hunters are coming to the ANF from as far away as Europe.
Here is a picture of some bucks from last season at a taxidermist in the heart of area 2G which many claim is the worst area in PA to hunt these days.............
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Cant wait for 2012!
If guns kill people, spoons made Rosie O'Donnell fat!!!
Will Another Lawsuit be Necessary??
