Randy,

There is also another bold manuever that could be done, IF the current commissioners failed to show up for the next 2 Public meetings. By State Law the Commission has to have 4 in order to have a quorum. If the current 4 stayed home or became " ill" it would have the desired effect.

If the current commissioners have a real concern for the public and stakeholder needs DO NOT SHOW UP TO THE NEXT 2 PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PREVENT A QUORUM!!!!! I would send email, but they will just trash can it if they see it is from me. So, if you talk to any of them, get this idea in their head. Invite them all to see this particular discussion thread to avoid any expar te communications and violations of the Open Meetings act.

Two questions Dana. One, why would they trash can your input? Have you made enemies with the members? And secondly a what if situation. What if the currently presiding commissioners boycotted for two meetings, would they not be replaced or at least asked to resign their appointment? Isn' t it possible that could open the door for four more antigun and/or tree hugging liberal appointments which could add to the problem?

Hey Randy,

Good to hear from you! I have been critical of the Commission on some issues, and I don' t think they like hearing my comments, I don' t know that though. As for making enemies, I don' t know them personally, so I don' t think so, I just have criticized some of the actions and statements.

As for the Question #2. The Statutes of Kansas provide for removel of Commissioners, it is a process with a high burden of proof. It is not an easy process. As with all types of appointments the removal process is very difficult. So I think the removeal of a Commissioner is possible but very unlikely. Asked to resign? Absolutely they could be asked or pressured. But I doubt that any would vaolutarily resign. Could we end up in a worse situation, again a possibility, but I think IMO it is very unlikely.

What it is really is a decesion based on the sitting Commisioners conscience, and their assessment of whether these appointees really are a benefit for the State of Kansas. The Commissioners need to assess what the balance is. They have responsibilities and committments not only to the duty of their appointments, but also to the process. I will support their decision whatever they decide to do. The real risk is that Chairman Dykes could possibly lose the Chairmanship. We will need a strong Chairman if this moves forward as is. Chairman Dykes is the leader and must act as such. He has a heavy burden at the moment, and difficult decisions now and in the future. This is not easy, but it is a radical action based on response to a radical action. The commissioners must decide what is in the best intrests for the Outdoor public in the State of Kansas.

I have checked up on Appointee Wilson. All I can find is assistance in the Developement of Environmental Education Standards for K-12, and arrangements for conferences, opening nature trails, etc. There is not any applied scienc, math, or analysis to address environmental issues or wildlife issues. She simply has nothing that would merit appointment to a commission to determine public policy for the State of Kansas. Ditto for Appointee Johnston. All he has in favor is a hunting license. The rest of what he does is lobbying against gun rights and running an organization that is anti-gun. Both of these 2 appointees only " qualifications" are radical political stances not in step with the People of the State of Kansas. The qualifications of the appointees is what I really have a problem with. I do not think merely having a hunting license is a qualification or litmus test. The real question is do the appointees have a level of qualification needed to determine policy for the State of Kansas in terms of Wildlife and Parks issues. This current class of ' 03 Commission appointees does not have elementary let alone exceptional experience or qualification.

For instance here is a short list of some of the higher profile government clients I have worked with in actually addressing environmental issues and cleanups. In almost all cases I have dealt with everything from Asbestos issues to Endangered Species Act, to Security issues at the Embassy. I have a real problem with appointments with very limited qualifications.



US State Department; US Embassy, Tokyo, Japan; Industrial Hygienist, Project Oversight
Yokota AFB, Japan; UST Removal and Replacement
Central Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan; Asbestos Facility Audit, Database, and AMP
Misawa AB, Japan; Asbestos Facility Audit, Database, and AMP
FISC Fuel Facilities, US Navy, Japan; Asbestos Facility Audit, Database, and AMP
Corps of Engineers, Kansas City and Omaha District; HAZWOPER Training
JACADS Johnston Island; HAZMAT and Asbestos Training
City of Honolulu, HI; HAZWOPER Training and Consulting
Lead Safe of Omaha, NE; HAZWOPER Training
CEED Chicago, IL; HAZWOPER Training
Pine Bluff Arsenal, Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Asbestos Training
Midway Naval Station; Lead Training and Consultation
Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Oahu, Hawaii; Asbestos, HAZMAT, HAZWOPER Training
Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan; KHS Asbestos Removal
Ist Infantry Div., Ft. Riley, KS; HAZWOPER, Lead, and Asbestos Training
Center for Environmental Training, Ft. Sill, OK; Lead Training
McConnell AFB, Wichita, KS; HAZWOPER and Asbestos Training
Whiteman AFB, MO; HAZWOPER and Asbestos Training
7th Corps HQ, Heidelberg, Germany; Asbestos Training and Consulting
Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS; Lead Inspection
University of Nebraska, Lincoln & Omaha, NE; Various Training Classes
Kansas University, Lawrence, KS; UST Cleaning and Bio-remediation
Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS; Farrell Library Lead and Asbestos Issues
KDHE UST Trust Fund, KS; Trust Fund Program Consultant
BPU Kansas City, KS; K-2 Refit Asbestos Removal Oversight
USF&W Cedar Bluff Res., KS; Asbestos and HAZMAT demolition in Wildlife Area
USF&W Kirwin Res., KS; Asbestos and HAZMAT demolition in Wildlife Area


My biggest conceren is not so much this particular set of Appointees. I am concerned about ALL appointments this Governor has made to all areas of Kansas Government. This should scare the hell out of everybody. Are all appointments as bad as this? How many other Commissioners, Appointments, has the Governor used the same bad judgement on? Are criminals and axxe murderers being appointed to the Parole Board for instance?? All her appointments are very difficult to overturn. This will effect policy in the State of Kansas now and in the future of ALL ISSUES AFFECTING ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE in KANSAS. So, strictly in view of her appointing process and the accross the board disregard for the will of the People of the State of Kansas, THIS GOVERNOR SHOULD BE RECALLED.

The Commission can make that statement. Many are depending on you.

Now we know why they played up Mr. Johnston' s " Lifetime hunting License" it is one of the considerations, I wonder when he got it. THe Commissioners have to be " Qualified" by some unspecified process, I wonder what it is?? The Chairman can be appointed at Governor' s discretion, so Mr. Dykes could lose his chairmanship for any reason, this being one of them. I guess Appointee Wilson got in in the " park Users" and " non-consumptive users" . I would like ALL Commissioners Qualifications, Anyone have them, post them here. IF thye were used in the Qualification phase, they are open records. Let' s just fompare andcontrast these issues very pubicly.

32-805
Chapter 32.--WILDLIFE, PARKS AND RECREATION
Article 8.--DEPARTMENT OFWILDLIFE AND PARKS

32-805. Wildlife and parks commission. (a) There is hereby created within and as a part of the department the Kansas wildlife and parks commission which shall be composed of seven members. The governor shall appoint seven residents of this state to be members of the commission. In the appointment of members of the commission, the governor shall give consideration to the appointment of licensed hunters, fishermen and furharvesters, park users, nonconsumptive users of wildlife and park resources and to geographic balance among commission members. No more than four members shall be of the same political party. Each member of the commission shall hold office for a term of four years and until a successor is appointed and qualified, except that in appointing the original commission members, the governor shall designate one member for a term ending July 1, 1988, one member for a term ending July 1, 1989, and two members for terms ending July 1, 1990. The governor shall fill any vacancy on the commission prior to the expiration of a term by appointment for the unexpired term.

(b) Each member of the commission shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation as required by law before taking office.

(c) The governor may remove a commissioner after opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the provisions of the Kansas administrative procedure act. If the commissioner is removed, the governor shall file in the office of the secretary of state a complete statement of all charges made against such commissioner and the governor' s findings thereon, together with a complete record of the proceedings.

(d) The commission shall have such powers, duties and functions as prescribed by law. Other than rules and regulations pertaining to personnel matters of the department, the secretary shall submit to the commission all proposed rules and regulations. The commission shall either approve, modify and approve, or reject such proposed rules and regulations. The secretary shall adopt such rules and regulations so approved or so modified and approved. Fees established for licenses , permits, stamps and other issues of the department shall be subject to the approval of the commission. It also shall be the duty of the commission to serve in an advisory capacity to the governor and the secretary in the formulation of policies and plans relating to the department.

(e) The governor shall designate one commission member to serve as chairperson of the commission. Members of the commission attending meetings of the commission, or attending a subcommittee meeting thereof authorized by the commission, shall be paid compensation, subsistence allowances, mileage and other expenses as provided in K.S.A. 75-3223 and amendments thereto. Four members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Meetings may be called by the chairperson and shall be called on the request of a majority of the members of the commission.

History: L. 1987, ch. 417, § 5; L. 1989, ch. 118, § 8; July 1.

We might be pleasantly surprised to find that the limit in number of Democrats has been exceeded. Alot of times small details, such as the limit of no more than four of one political party on the commission, are overlooked. Little doubt in my mind that these three are on the leftside of things. I too would be interested in knowning when Mr. Johnston' s lifetime license was issued.

Randy,

I went to the Gun Show in Wichita this weekend, and the Kansas State Second Amemdment Society is taiking the lead on opposing these appointments, but this help is not free and needs contributions. I am not a member, but I am sending a couple of Franklins to help support the effort. I did this after one guy emailed me after hearing me b**** about all this, and he said put your money where your mouth is, so I did. I am urging others to also. Contact your local gun, hunting, outtoors club and organize. IF your hunting, gun, outdoors club will not address this situation properly they are part of the problem. I have read on other sites that clubs will " work with the commissioners until there is reason to not cooperati with them" , this is not helpful nor the correct stance on the issue, they need to be opposed. If your club has that attitude...change it, if you have a writer or friend who agrees with that sentiment, change their mind. The proper attitude is to oppose these appointments for a variety of reasons. We can hold no quarter with this set of brainless appointments. I urge you to get the KBA on board fully with this, I have heard that some the KBA membership in other State Hunting organizations and going to accept the commissioners until there is a reason to oppose, I do not think that kind of stand supports what is best for hunting and a growing majority, not yet heard from agrees.

Right now Mr. Johnston is being political telling a very influentual Group that he is interested in management of Deer for Trophy and Polulation, HMMMM just what you want to hear isn' t it, but supporting this appointee now will be very bad later. I am very dissappointed by what Mr. Mike Pearce (Outdoor writer for the Wichita Eagle) has stated. He obviously has not researched the articles (all 117 of them) about Mr. Johnston and his anti-gun stance. His journalistic creditability is about shot. He is going for access not for the meat of the story (akin to hunting a deer for the horns and leaving the rest to rot). I have been a critic of this " writer" in the past, and his propensity for lack of investigation for the sake of access is deplorable....again. His stance is also that Shari Wilson would be OK by him too.


With all I learned this weekend with all that is going on behind the scenes about rejecting these commissioners was very promising, but it is not a sure thing. I have learned even more about our current crop of appointees, and the effect will be devestating on an already dysfunctional State Agency. I URGE ALL TO STANDUP AND TAKE ACTION!

Dana, Please e-mail me with any info you learned at the Gun Show concerning the appointees. I have found very few that even expressed much concern about the nominations, it did not surprise me. I have e-mailed alot of folks across the state to see who all were paying attention to what was happening, very few responded. If there are gun clubs in Emporia, they are very quiet about it. Ever since the Sporting Clays shut down, I am unaware of any other groups. I have little to no influence in what the KBA says or does, we get newsletters occasionally and will see if they discuss this in the next one. I will be meeting with some hunters tomorrow for lunch, Friends of the NRA members, KBA members, both Gun and Bow hunters, am sure this subject will be on the table.

Good Job Randy, at least you are trying keep at it. Even though they do not respond, they are informed and will talk among their community or group. I have only conversations with a few people at the Gun Show and many were not happy with ANYONE who takes the stance that these appointees are no problem. The person to get in touch with is Phil Journey with Kan+sas, he is Pres. of the KSRA and the Second Amendment Society. You can get in touch with him at the KSRA site. The Kan+sas has a newsletter and the info is good.

IMO, anyone who is not engaged or who is willing to accept these appointments should be approached and explained very emphatically that this is not a good idea. I have not received much back from all my postings at many sites, but have received more than 20 responses, all positive. Judging from the conversations, the material I originally released is showing up at many places and retold back to me.

Keep at it, I would rather this storm pass and we can raise hell about other issues later. Leqasing, T-tags, you know.

Very happy to hear you are on this.

In response to my earlier proposal for the members of the commission to not show up and prevent a quorum, there may be another possibility.

Fillibuster for the duration of meeting with public comment! I am not sure of the parementary procedure and the legalities of the chairman and Sec to call to order and to restor order or change the agenda or time alloted for public comment. I think they have to take public comment until there is no more. Not sure of the parlementary procedure there anyone know???

Info on Shari Wilson: Her Husband is Sen. Steineger (D) in I beileve Wyandotte County. Isn' t that special! It seems in Kansas we appoint, select, and hire not based on qualification, but on who you campaigned or fundraised for!

It is getting a little incestious in Kansas Politics and Governmental Service. Neopitism, influence peddling, and single issue debate effecting all other issues. IT is the ONLY explanation for this current crop of appointees. There are others that our esteemed Governor has appointed to other positions in this State that is as bad or worse than the commissioner appointments.

Anybody heard anything else on the topic of the appointees, New info? Please post, and stay active.