Another Lawsuit?

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Another Lawsuit? ©

By Jim Slinsky
03/21/09

The PGC Commissioner selection process is one of the most absurd political systems in all of PA politics. Over the past eleven years I have addressed this topic before. The more you know about this distorted, unresponsive system, the more infuriating it becomes. I can think of at least one statewide sportsmen’s advocacy group that has had enough and just might inject themselves into the nonsense in an effort to resolve it.

At the center of the controversy is PGC District 2, currently held by Roxane Palone and District 3, currently occupied by Russ Schleiden. Needless to remind you, these two are the King and Queen of the ongoing deer eradication program. They will be in my book for certain for future generations to remember.

Wind the clock back eight years and Bob Schlemmer was the most qualified and popular candidate for PGC District 2 Commissioner. Governor Ridge wanted Roxane Palone and after a series of rejections by the Senate, Roxane Palone was ultimately confirmed. No one knows for certain what deals were made to get Roxane Palone Senate approval. The rumor mill churned for eight long years that Bob Schlemmer was promised the position when Roxane Palone finished her term.

Rumors aside the Governor’s Sportsman’s Advisory Council (GSAC) gathered resumes and conducted interviews as if the position was wide open and available to the best candidate. About two years ago an excellent candidate, Mr. Randy Santucci started his charge for the position. He worked extremely hard traveling to Harrisburg, taking time off from his business, meeting with the right people. As so many predicted Bob Schlemmer was recently nominated by the Governor to the PA Senate. Obviously, Governor Rendell is proving that he is a man of his word. The name of David Putnam was sent by the Governor to the Senate to replace Russ Schleiden. We know nothing about David Putnam, but I seem to recall him as more of an environmentalist.

The point being this entire selection process is conducted in secrecy. So tight lipped is the GSAC you would think they are a branch of CIA. I believe the members of the GSAC are sworn to secrecy to get the position. Tragically, the GSAC has actually evolved into a surrogate for the political process of giving us political candidates. We could dismantle the GSAC and get the same candidates.

Yours truly has made a number of suggestions to involve the true stakeholders in this process. You know, the stakeholders that paid the PGC’s bills and salaries for the last hundred years, the hunters of PA.

First, we could appoint the outstanding Randy Santucci to complete the term of Commissioner Dan Hill of District 1, who resigned a few months back. Randy has a camp in District 1 for 30 years. He knows it intimately. Second, we can put some sunshine on the activities of the GSAC. Our sportsmen need to know who is applying for these Commissioner positions with their resumes being posted on the PGC website for all to review. Third, any names sent by the Governor to the Senate should be posted in the PA Bulleting for 90 days to gather input from the people who pay the bills, our sporting class of PA. Fourth, legislation should be written to state that Commissioners “serve at the pleasure of the legislature and the sportsmen” and as such, we would involve the House in the process, not just the Senate. I recommended these changes to send a message to the Senate that a major storm is gathering if sportsmen aren’t permitted to participate in the process of selecting those who control the future of hunting in PA.

Let’s look at this from a different angle. If PGC Commissioners served four year terms instead of eight and if sportsmen could reject the political operatives before they were seated, the Unified Sportsmen of PA would not have had to sue the PGC to put some common sense back in our deer management program. Under the current system with no input in the process, our sporting class may need to sue the Agency every few years to keep them honest.

The Governor, the Senate and our Representatives need to think deeply about the situation they have created and permitted to deteriorate. Our citizens nationally and locally are screaming loud and clear for responsible, responsive government. Don’t be surprised if this pathetic Commissioner selection process manifests itself into yet another lawsuit.

Jim Slinsky is the host and producer of the “Outdoor Talk Network”, a nationally syndicated, outdoor-talk radio program. For a station near you or to contact Jim, visit his website at www.outdoortalknetwork.com.

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