In some ways, I agree with your point that there should be something like a salary attached to the Commissioners’ roles. There definitely needs to be more accountability, because right now there’s nobody really over-seeing these guys except the Governor… and we all know that he’s got way bigger fish to fry than worrying about a handful of pissed off hunters.

The thing is, they all have special interests in their backgrounds, including transportation, real estate developers, environmental organizations, etc. Suttons ties to the Monterey Aquarium and Packard Foundation certainly raise eyebrows (especially in light of the MLPA actions), but take a look at some of the others. At least Ms Gustafson was honest enough to step down when she recognized her own conflicts of interest.

For what it’s worth, Rogers apparently got some kind of message, because his tone has changed a lot in the last couple of meetings. I’d like to think some of the many letters sent, not only to the Commission, but to the Fish and Game Director, and to the Governor’s desk, may have had an impact.

Or it could just be that he finally took the time to read the reports and research provided by folks like Anthony Canales, the NRA, and the CRPA. He’s come a long way from his earlier declaration of lead ammo as a threat to condors, the environment, and human health.

I also agree with Holly’s take re: the intended nature of the Commission. They do have a professional staff with expertise to help guide their decisions… but from what I have seen, the Commissioners have shown a tendency to ignore the input of the staff and rely, instead, on their own predilections. Maybe that’s changing, and the recent vote on the lead ban is an indication of how it’s changed. I’d like to think so… but I don’t have a great feeling about it.

I don’t think pay is going to make the difference – the kind of difference you’re talking about is professional v. citizen (hired v. appointed), and the nature of a commission is that it’s supposed to be made of appointed citizens. The staff is what’s supposed to provide the professional expertise.

As far as Benninghoven and the MLPA… well, that’s a sad turn of events. I’m not well versed on the entire solution, but it sure strikes me as another ill-advised decision that doesn’t really address the real problems facing the coastal fisheries.

It’s particularly interesting that he is a member of the Wardens’ Association, when that group has asked that the MLPA process be stopped due to a lack of funding and enforcement. You see, (and here is a bigger story you might be interested in), California has the smallest number of wardens, per capita, of any state (about 200 for a population of 36 million). And yet, wardens are being furloughed, which amounts to losing the equivalent of about 25 game wardens.

These are definitely interesting times we live in. I hope that all of the board members, including the new president, use a clear head and really put some thought into the issues at hand before casting their votes.

Keep us updated Phillip.