New Rule proposal DANGER: Steelheader.net- Steelhead, Salmon and trout fishing

Just returned home from the commission meeting. I only stayed there until the first break. I did get an opportunity to speak on what I percieve as ethics violations by Jennings. Below are my talking points:

Problems with the process.

On Nov 6, 2009. Commissioner Jennings was allow to present his own personal project that was submitted through the public rules proposal process during the commission meeting. I have issues with his proposal but that should be covered under another comment time, but with the way he was allowed to present it breaks all the rules.

Today I asked if I was able to use the AV equipment and was told “No”.

Jennings was allowed to submit his proposal for over 25 minutes, and use the AV equipment.

Commissioner Jennings was also allowed to rebut the testimony of Mr. Munn, taking yet another 3 minutes of time that the regular public is not allowed.

This is a complete breach of ethics and process.

Commissioners should be prohibited from taking more than 3 minutes to push their own personal submissions, if at all. Commissioners with personal proposals should also be restricted from rebutting other public testimony, unless they wish to sign up the way I did this morning.

Jennings needs to take the example of the current WDFW director in consideration. Phil Anderson owns a charter boat and license (actually, Phil doesn't own a license, but there are licenses available to lease, which he could easily do) in Westport, but so as to appear neutral on the issues he presides over, he doesn’t fish that boat. I’m a banker, and I bank a number of charter boat operators in the Westport area, so I know what he is giving up. It would be nice to see commissioner Jennings set aside his personal agenda and let the scientists at the WDFW do their jobs.

I would like to see copies of his proposal that is date and time stamped showing that it was submitted in a timely manner. I would also request that his proposal be removed from the rules proposals.

Saw a number of other folks there from different groups, but none who I knew previously other than Mark Cedargeen from the Westport Charterboat association. Commission Chair Wecker and I had a good dialogue on the issue in the meeting, and after my presentation I received an "Atta boy" and a fist bump from Commissioner Orr.

During the break the commission chair came over to me and we had a nice conversation in the hall, during which time Jennings came by, and I pretty much told him that he had nothing that I wanted to hear. Basically, it is very likely that the proposal from Jennings will be pulled today. The "lead proposal" will also likely be pulled.

Talked to Mark Cedargreen during the break, and he said that there will likely be an open letter from a number of the statewide groups, such as the charter associations and others to the commissioners stating their displeasure with the actions of commissioner Jennings.

Finally, before I jetted out so that I can go hunting this afternoon I had a short convesation with Commissioner Orr. He said that he was "happy that I held the commission's feet to the fire, and that I did so without being rude. I was certainly direct and on point, but not rude. " He also is a master hunter, and he scored a nice cow elk in the Blue mountains this year.

I was pleased and surprised with the access and conversations that I had with a number of commissioner members today, and there willingness to speak with just an average citizen. That has retored my faith in the commission to a certain extent.

Anyway, thanks to those of you who took the time to write letters to the commission, because Chair Wecker said that the commission had received dozens of letters from people expressing their displeasure with Jennings actions and the way the proposal was allowed to be presented.

Most of all, many thanks to "Plus1" for bringing this to my attention.

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"Give me the anger, fish! Give me the anger!"

Be like Big Stick!