Commission appointment

[billrquimby]

Eric Sparks, one of he four applicants selected on Wednesday (see the AZGFDpress release below) is a long-time friend. I first met him in 1981 at the One Shot Antelope Club's Hunt in Wyoming where we both were inducted into the club. I followed him as president of the Past Shooter's Club a couple of years later.

In 1983 or 1984, I think, he left Texas and moved his law practice to Tucson. I have hunted with him in Wyoming, New Mexico, and all over Arizona, as well as on the property he owns on the Limpopo River in Botswana. He hunts with both rifle and bow, and has taken elk, black bear, deer, javelinas and, just this year, an House Rock Valley bison with his bow. His African bowhunting trophies include crocodile, lion and various antelope. He fishes for everything that swims when the opportunity presents itself.

Beyond his hunting and fishing, Eric easily meets all the requirements for the position and will make a good commissioner.

Bill Quimby

PHOENIX -- The Arizona Game and Fish Commission Appointment Recommendation Board will interview four candidates for the governor’s appointment to fill the 2015 vacancy on the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. The interviews will take place at the board’s public meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Arizona Game and Fish Department headquarters at 5000 W. Carefree Highway in Phoenix. View the meeting agenda.

The following candidates will be interviewed: John “Doyel” Shamley; Eric Slocum Sparks; Chad T. Villamor; and James S. Zieler. They were chosen from a list of 16 applicants considered by the board at its Oct. 22 public meeting.

After the interviews, the board will select finalists to forward to the governor for consideration.

Per Arizona State Statute 17-202, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission Appointment Recommendation Board shall assist the governor by interviewing, evaluating and recommending candidates for appointment to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. The Commission Appointment Recommendation Board shall recommend at least two, but no more than five, candidates to the governor. The governor must select and appoint a commissioner from the list submitted by the board.

For additional information about the Commission Appointment Recommendation Board, contact the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions at (602) 542-2449 or toll free at 1-800-253-0883 or on the web at www.azgovernor.gov.

For more information on the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, visitwww.azgfd.gov/commission.