Here's a statement from Gov. Sean Parnell's office on today's legislative confirmation hearing:
The Legislature voted down the reappointment of Vince Webster to the Alaska Board of Fisheries. Governor Parnell phoned Mr. Webster after the vote to personally thank him for volunteering six years of service to the State of Alaska.
"It is disappointing, discouraging and disheartening when bad information or politics prevent a qualified Alaskan from serving our state," Governor Parnell said. "I appreciate Vince's willingness to serve these past six years."
The Legislature's action requires the governor to make a new appointment to the Board of Fisheries, subject to confirmation by the Legislature.
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25 comments:
Well Govenor we will see what you come up with??
The Governor knew that this was likely to occur and still hung Webster out to swing in the wind. He was getting very one sided information from his fisheries advisor and boards and commissions advisor, both of whom are clearly on board with the commercial fisheries user groups. The Governor, and the Commissioner just got a wake up call letting them know that the sports fishing industry is no longer the red headed step child in a black haired family. They are an economic power to be recognized and reckoned with. When the Dept. won't recognize that there needs to be parity between user groups, then thankfully KRSA will be there to make itself heard. Claiming that the legislature was misled by bad politics and misinformation is very patronizing to the men and women who serve as our law makers. And the Governor's Chief of Staff did not do his boss any favors by trying to bully and twist arms. This was a very very bad day for the Governor. But is was a good day for most Alaskans
"KRSA will be there to make itself heard"
Heck of an ironic statement for an organization literally being investigated for illegal eavesdropping.
The fact is KRSA misrepresented Webster's votes to their members and the legislators--Shoot, they even blamed Webster for BOF decisions that were UNANIMOUS decisions by the entire BOF in their call to action. No doubt the same BS was fed to the legislators knowing they'd have no time to learn the truth.
I'm curious what the strategy is for KRSA? You kill the Governor's appointment with half-truths and innuendo, and any one with a little curiosity to investigate the claims made in your action alert can figure that one out.
It was an impressive display of hard-ball, I give you that. But then what? Ask the Gov. to play ball with you on your next appointment? Seems like an interesting way to gain influence with the guy who makes the appointments. If I was him I wouldn't touch you guys with a ten foot pole. I'll be curious to see how it works out for you.
Whether you agree or disagree with today's outcome, kudos to the process. That's why it's in place. Unfortunately, this is what Alaska's fisheries have become - a jumbled maze of politics. Sometimes your team wins, sometimes your team loses.
Fish on!!
I have a hard time understanding why KRSAs board would support such tactics. Seems the governor agrees.
There are some prominent people on that board. Do those individuals support eavesdropping and the spread of 'bad information' to reach their end goal?
I would personally resign from a board that condoned that kind of action, no matter how righteous the cause.
What is the inside scoop? Are those board members really as unscrupulous as KRSAs actions make them look?
They must have an end game stategy that was Apparently worth it, but what is it?
To claim that the legislators did not have the facts is very patronizing. There was a commercial biased blitz of information provided to them. The governor's office personally contacted legislators. Several commercial fishing organizations, including UFA, alaska Troller's Assoc. KPFA, and others had their staff walking the halls. They even got AFN to support Webster. And from what I read and heard they were, in many cases, very inaccurate in their presentations. I trust that 60 hard working lawmakers with their dedicated staff got all the information available and were clearly informed before they voted. And i wouldn't worry about what the Governor will do next. If he is vindictive it will not serve his long term interests to anger those on the KRSA Board. They have been very supportive of him in many big $ ways and he will not do anything to kill that support. Everyone will take a deep breath and move on. The BOF will continue to do the best it can and all sides will try to get their agenda passed.
Not being willing to listen to a group that is working against you in the legislature, when they then later want you to do something for them (like a favorable appointment) is not being vindictive. Its just human nature.
In essence, you're counting on the fact that you pass enough money around (your words) that he will shrug your actions off as "no big deal". We shall see, but its a weak strategy.
Good points. But remember this is politics and the first rule is to get reelected. So are the 2d and 3d rules. Parnell will not piss on the golden goose. And, let's face it, it IS money that makes most of the decisions in politics. That is why the BOF was created in the first place, to remove the fisheries decision making from as much political influence as possible. If the legislature were to make these allocation decisions, there would be far more turnover. They wisely put that "god awful" burden on the BOF. The next appointment will be someone from the Bay who will have a years worth of BOF meetings under his belt before he goes through the confirmation gauntlet. So it is likely that the new member will, in part, be making his/her decisions based on how they are viewed by those who will be supporting or opposing him/her during confirmation. That, regrettably is political and is exactly what has resulted in members not being reappointed or not being confirmed in some cases.
Thank you Vince Webster for the years of service. We wish you well
now go get a shave.
Webster was not able to follow simple fish issues as a board member. Hopefully, the next appointment will be an improvement.
Was Webster a Lobbyist
or have any financial conflicts
of interests ??
Honest question !!
Pathetic commentary against Webster
and pathetic arrogance continued...no surprise there; bait and switch;re0cycled trash.
The governor and half the legislature smelled the political garbage fish mount.
Vince was railroaded and everyone knows it, even the nay votees...
How will this impact the set net and drift fisheries when we get to the Upper Cook Inlet BOF meeting? Surely the governor will appoint a person with commercial fishing background. If so, how can these fisheries be adversely impacted? I think that those who voted against Webster believed they were doing the right thing and had plenty of information from which to come to their conclusion. Same for those who voted for him. The system worked. It's not perfect, but it worked. There was plenty of information generated by those organizations supporting Webster just as there was from those who opposed him. I don't understand why everyone has gotten so worked up about a member of the BOF not getting confirmed. Some don't get reappointed and some don't get confirmed. But the Board will still have its 7 members at its next meeting and the balance will be retained. Isn't time to start trying to mend fences between users. the dialog between competing users WAS probably the only positive thing that came out of the Task Force. Let's not drop that ball. Instead let's keep going in that direction. Let's find some shared burdens, paired restrictions and find a way to catch the reds without catching the kings. If we cannot all work together we might have another season like last year where we all suffer. And don't be surprised if we see an OEG with higher numbers put on the table next meeting. Repeat, an OEG!
I Love how these guys support the eavesdropping and half truths, then go on to talk about mending fences.
Unbelievable.
Webster crossed the Dillingham politico also, that's a no-no. Short-sighted, mis-guided.
Vince was not such a bad member, studied the issues, and should have been re-upped for the sake of continuity of experience.
Finding someone that is both competent AND willing to put up with that trainload of crap is not easy.
5:25 are you still living in the past. Eavesdropping? Get a life. Nobody, and I mean nobody ,gives a s**t about that subject anymore. You must move on from the neanderthal thinking that is moving you and your ilk to the back of the bus. It's time to come to grips with the new reality: You don't have it to yourself anymore. There is a new sheriff in town. And it is going to change the landscape. Just wait until the OEG gets placed into regulation and while you are shut down on the beaches and if you are a drifter, restricted to a narrow corridor, the guided sports and PU fishery continues to fish. And the Alaska legislature will be in favor of that picture, you can bet on it. Yep, your days are numbered. Just like the dinosaurs.
Webster crossed the Dillingham politico? You have to love their theory's from the dinosaurs neanderthal age.
Rule Number 1, Never Make Money.
Rule Number 2, Never forget rule number 1.
Jeremiah Campbell
Howard Delo
Dr White
Virgil
Bill brown
Art Nelson
The tracks are littered with dead bodies eaten by KRSA
Vince was their poster boy
Sleep with the devil and you get the pitchfork up your ass
Wrong wrong wrong
The guv and 3rd floor played Krsa game
Gave them morrisky and fucked Se
Then he took it in the ass from Krsa
So now the pendulum will move
Krsa fucked themselves badly
How many eff bombs can you throw into one comment. Lord. It's fishing and politics. Grow up.
Did KRSA probably make the road ahead a difficult one for itself? LIkely. But when has that organization ever backed down from a challenge? Why let a little thing like that get in its way of getting Webster out of the way? Still, it's going to be an interesting next nine months.
KRSA a IRS 501(c)(3) Organization
3.The organization will not, as a substantial part of its activities, attempt to influence legislation (unless it elects to come under the provisions allowing certain lobbying expenditures) or participate to any extent in a political campaign for or against any candidate for public office.
Political activity. If any of the activities (whether or not substantial) of your organization consist of participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, your organization will not qualify for tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3). Such participation or intervention includes the publishing or distributing of statements.
Lobbying Expenditures: In general, if a substantial part of the activities of your organization consists of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, your organization's exemption from federal income tax will be denied.
Wow! IRS pays for information like this I think.
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