It"s time for sportsmen trise up in unity

[bonuspointjohn]

Gag order - that's exactly what it is.

 

Is it time we spoke with some more legislators?

The Commission has every right to comment, particularly at the legislature. Jerry was promised that the Department would not be "lobbying" through the use of the agencies time, money etc. The department takes it's marching orders from the commission. Larry, you know as well as I do that the legislature is full of huge egos. Representative Harper was a prime example of what can and does go wrong down there. If we have no "hunting" legislators, then the logic of Representative Harper will be the norm... and that should scare everyone. From what I heard, the Commission will continue to do what they do and always have done... work the legislature. The Department however , needs to stay above the fray and do what they are paid to do...unless it specifically involves required testimony from the department professionals (your example from 2 days ago)... BPJ

[audsley]

John, you say Weiers was promised that the department wouldn't be "lobbying" through the use of the agency's time, money, etc. What does that really mean? Are they going to fire Tony and Jorge? I don't think that's what they meant.

 

I think you and I have completely different understandings of what was agreed upon. I think it means they aren't supposed to communicate any analyses, opinions or facts concerning pending legislation. That's what I think it means.

 

Maybe we should ask the department what they think it means. And John, maybe you should ask Representative Weiers what he thinks it means. He'll probably respond to you.

[DesertBull]

These ego maniacs politicians need to get a real job and see what it is like to for the 99% of us that are fighting like dogs to keep above water.

[archerycrazy]

Jerry Weiers was behind the amendment.

 

As I understood Weiers' comments before the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee this morning, Weiers and Gowan agreed to pull the amendment in exchange for Game & Fish complying with its intent. In other words, Game & Fish can no longer tell the public its opinion of matters pending before the legislature. At least that's my understanding.

 

Is that acceptable to everyone? And is it legal?

[SpeedGoat]

I read this ammendment to read that Dept. employees can't even provide professional input to legislation, or they would have to drive their personal vehicles down to the Leg. to do so. It seems like a witch hunt to me by a certain "witch". But what do I know I'm just a common sportsman. It seems that any of our local school boards would be more powerful than the GF Commission if this ammendment was pushed through. I thought the whole point of the Com. was to have average citizens stear the GFD. We fought this fight a couple of years ago let's clean house and by "house" I mean the AZ House of Representatives!

[archerycrazy]

Audsley, your post is not quite correct. Several years ago a former Commissioner demanded that the Department to contact constituents regarding proposed legislation and to encourage constituants to contact their legislators in opposition. Director Voyles ended the practice after only one or two incidents.

 

As I understand it, in the meeting today the Director only assured Reps. Gowan and Weiers that he would continue his policy.

 

I know of no communication from the Department to constiuents encourageing political activity by anyone since the Director put his policy in place.

 

If I am incorrect on any of this, I'm sure that the Director will correct me.

 

George

[audsley]

Archerycrazy, I still don't understand what the policy is. I know that department employees have been forbidden to actively support legislation and initiatives or referendums. That was enforced for Prop 109, which the commission supported. But when was the commission itself ever forbidden to express a position, or the department's Wildlife News forbidden to report their position?

 

Does this mean the commission won't ever express support, opposition or a neutral position on a bill? I don't know exactly what was agreed to.

[archerycrazy]

Archerycrazy, I still don't understand what the policy is. I know that department employees have been forbidden to actively support legislation and initiatives or referendums. That was enforced for Prop 109, which the commission supported. But when was the commission itself ever forbidden to express a position, or the department's Wildlife News forbidden to report their position?

 

Does this mean the commission won't ever express support, opposition or a neutral position on a bill? I don't know exactly what was agreed to.

[archerycrazy]

As I understand it, there is a slight difference between the Commission and the Department's political activities. The Department can not engage in any lobbying activity as a Department. They can not allow lobbying on any Department property or use Department equipment for lobbying purposes.

 

The Commission as a whole or quorum can not engage in lobbying. With Proposition 109 only two Commissioners were involved. No law was broken by their activities and they did not engage in any lobbying on Department Property or with any Department equipment.

 

The Department can report positions taken by the Commission on any matter,but they can not endorse those positions.

 

G

[archerycrazy]

If you would like a bit of an education, check out the client list of Capitol Consulting, LLC, formerly Gilstrap and Associates. There are 24 associations/organizations etc.

The list is probably outdated because it does not list AZSFW/AZSFWC as clients.

[rthrbhntng]

Larry

Part of the problem was that the Commissioners used the Departments Email News list to let their constituents, sportsmen, know of the Commissions position on legislation.

Steve

[archerycrazy]

Steve,

 

I don't see the E news as a problem. It's simple reporting of the facts. Facts that need to be known as quickly as possible. The Commission vote didn't light the fuse of the sportsman's uprising. We did. The deal was done before the Commission even met.

 

George

[.270]

It's very plain that sfw is trying very hard to strike back at anyone that was not pro tag grab. They are using every dog in the kennel. Wiers and Gowan are the first 2 in the pit. There have been a couple others trying to help the sfw cause in other ways. We will see others off their leashes very soon. I want to really thank the guys who are taking the fight right to these guys. You're to be commended. I'll be going through searchlight tomorrow. Anyone have any messages for Harry Reid? Lark.