HA Newsletter 14

THE GOOD: SENATE BILL 127 • THE BAD: GOVERNOR MILLER • THE UGLY: POLITICS

Senate Bill 127 was requested by HUNTER'S ALERT for a bill draft almost a year before the 1997 legislative session was to begin. One of the most important parts of this bill was that all county advisory boards to manage wildlife would submit nominations to the governor of qualified people for appointment to the Wildlife Commission. The governor would then be required to select from these lists. Knowledgeable people who have attended county advisory board and Wildlife Commission meetings would then have a chance to be appointed to the Commission. These are people who have donated their time without pay or perks involved. People who know fish and game issues, not just who know the governor. This is grass roots government - for the people -by the people.

HEROES

Assemblyman David Humke
Senator Jack Regan
Senator Ann O'Connell

ZEROS

GovernorBob Miller
Willie Moloni

Mahlon Brown chose not to seek another term as a wildlife commissioner. That was really good news for the sportsmen and the game in our state!! 1 am sure that he had his reasons for not seeking reappointment and I am sure that those reasons would be different from those of HUNTER'S ALERT.

Wouldn't it be nice if every time you wanted money, all you had to do was ask? Nevada Division of Wildlife thought they were going to be able to achieve this with Assembly Bill 47 which they sponsored.

If there were a three strike law for a commissioner not representing sportsmen, Commissioner Tiberti would surely be OUT. Commissioner Tiberti's latest blunder came during the November, 1996 Clark County Advisory Board meeting.

Being a wildlife commissioner is one of the most sought-after appointments a governor can make. Now if the governor happens to be Bob Miller, a large political contribution will enhance your chances of being appointed. HUNTER'S ALERT told you in our very first newsletter (April 1992) that John Giovenco through the Hilton Corporation donated $50,000.00 to Governor Miller's election campaign. Shortly thereafter, John Giovenco's wife, Kathy was appointed to the Wildlife Commission.

On numerous occasions, the Nevada Division of Wildlife (NDOW) has been less than truthful with the sportsmen in our state. This was the case yet again at the September Wildlife Commission meeting in Henderson. At this meeting, Greg Tanner, chief of NDOW's Game Management Bureau, gave a report on the findings regarding predation on bighorn sheep in southern Nevada.

• ASSEMBLYMAN JOHN LEE
• ASSEMBLYWOMAN GENIE OHRENSCHALL
• ASSEMBLYMAN HARRY MORTENSON
• ASSEMBLYMAN TOM COLLINS
• ASSEMBLYMAN ROY NEIGHBORS
• ASSEMBLYWOMAN GENE SEGERBLOM
• ASSEMBLYWOMAN MARCIA de BRAGA

There are times when a politician goes against party lines, goes against the speaker and the governor to vote for what they believe in. In doing so, they take a beating from their party but they do what the general public wants them to do. This is what a good elected official is all about.

Ted Nugent and Kevin Kelley
Rod Smith Sportsmen of Eureka County

Most of you may recognize Ted Nugent as a rock star. However, he is a avid rifle and bow hunter. He has put his money where his mouth is in forming The United Sportsmen of America. He made phone calls to our legislators for the passage of SB127. The Nevada representative for The United Sportsmen of America is Kevin Kelley. Kevin spent hours e-mailing our legislators in support of SB 127.

Rod Smith is a member of the Clark County Wildlife Advisory Board. Rod made back to back to back trips to Carson City lobbying for passage of SB 127. He did a great job representing the sportsmen's wishes in Clark County.

The sportsmen of Eureka County let Assemblywoman Marcia de Braga know how important SB 127 was to them. Without their Rigorous support, SB 127 may never have reached the Assembly floor.

The position of ambassador to Mexico is vacant. Governor Miller would love to have his buddy, Bill Clinton appoint him to this position. But first, Governor Miller must be confirmed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This presents a serious dilemma for the sportsmen of our state. Do we tell the truth to the Committee about Governor Miller'? Or shall we be facetious?