Meet the ODFW Commissioners

[Ginny Ross]

COMMISSION MEMBERS
Commission Chair

Marla Rae
The Rae Group
333 High Street NE, Suite 202
Salem, OR 97301

Congressional District 5
Term Expires: 1/31/10 Marla Rae is president of The Rae Group, a consulting firm specializing in public affairs, issues management and crisis management. Prior to that, Marla served as chief assistant to three Oregon attorneys general. Her responsibilities at the Department of Justice included budget development, personnel administration, and coordination of the department’s media and legislative programs. Marla also has served as a reporter and news director for two Bend radio stations. A fifth-generation Oregonian, Marla was born in Prineville, raised in Gateway, and received her degree in communications from Mt. Hood Community College. She is a passionate volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk counties.

Commission Members

Skip Klarquist
Zalutsky & Klarquist, PC
215 SW Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Portland, OR 97204

Congressional District 3
Term Expires: 4/14/08
Skip (Kenneth) Klarquist and his wife, Linda, live in Portland, where they raised their three sons. Except for three years of service with the U.S. Government, Skip has been a resident of Oregon since 1951. Skip is a shareholder in the law firm of Zalutsky & Klarquist, P.C. and an active member of the Oregon and Washington bars. He graduated from Princeton University (A.B. 1970), and the University of Oregon School of Law (J.D. 1973). He has served on the Board of Directors of the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation since 1982 (President 1993-1995, and Chairman (1995-1997). He has served on the Board of Directors of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - Oregon since 1999 (President 2001-2003). He is a member of the Flyfisher’s Club of Oregon (President 1984-85), and the Rotary Club of Portland.


Zane Smith Jr.
1243 Delrose Drive
Springfield, OR 97477-1594

Congressional District 4
Term Expires: 2/15/09 Zane Smith is an international natural resource policy consultant and volunteer Pacific Field Representative for American Forests. He received a B.S. in forestry from the University of Montana and is a National Institute of Public Affairs Fellow from Cornell University. He served 34 years with the USDA Forest Service, was a charter member of the Senior Executive Service, and retired as regional forester for California, Hawaii and Micronesia. He has served as senior staff for Ecologically Sustainable Development Inc., completed several environmental assessments for sustainable forestry projects for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and led the development of OPIC’s Sustainable Forestry Practices Guide.


Dan Edge
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
OSU, 104 Nash Hall
Corvallis, OR 97331-2910

West of the Cascades
Term Expires: 4/14/08
Dan Edge is Department Head of the Oregon State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. He received a B.S. in Wildlife Biology, a B.S. in Forestry, a M.S. in Wildlife Biology and a Ph.D. in Forestry, all from the University of Montana. Dan has conducted research on large mammals including goats and sheep in Pakistan; elephants in Malaysia; elk, deer and grizzly bears in Montana; and bighorn sheep and elk in Oregon. He served as the Extension Wildlife Specialist at OSU for 10 years and was appointed as the first Chair of the Bob and Phyllis Mace Watchable Wildlife Program. The majority of his research since coming to Oregon has focused on small mammals and songbirds in forest and agricultural habitats. Dan is a national award winning teacher and an early pioneer of distance education courses at OSU. Dan was born and raised in Memphis Tennessee, and talks a little funny. Dan and his wife, Sally, have two adopted children.


Carter Kerns
503 N Main St.
Pendleton, OR 97801-2243

Eastern Oregon
Term Expires: 05/31/11 Carter Kerns is the owner of Carter Kerns Investigations in Pendleton, where he was born. He is a graduate of the Lakeside School in Seattle , and Yale University , with a degree from what is now known as the School of Organization and Management. His professional background is in tax-exempt finance, and he served as a FBI Special Agent Accountant in the Pittsburgh and New York City divisions. In 1978, he harvested the first Rocky Mountain Bighorn taken in Oregon and was awarded the NRA Silver Bullet Award. His ram is listed in the Boone & Crockett Book of Big Game Records. He is a life member of the Oregon FNAWS Chapter, the Parker Gun Collectors Association, and several other hunting and firearms organizations. He was also an original member of the Umatilla River Basin TMDL Committee, and the first non-attorney to be admitted to life membership in the OCDLA. His wife, Nancy, a Klamath Falls native, and he have five children, and reside in Pendleton.


Jon Englund
Englund Marine Supply Co, Inc.
PO Box 296
Astoria , OR 97103

Congressional District 1
Term Expires: 4/14/08 Born and raised in Astoria, Jon is President and CEO of Englund Marine Supply, a business begun by his father nearly 60 years ago. He is a graduate of University of Oregon Business School, Class of 1959, and remains an active supporter of the school. Jon has served on many local boards in addition to being active around the State. He enjoyed years as an adviser to the Board of Agriculture, Oregon State Sea Grant, and Oregon Marine Extension. Having raised three children, two of whom work with him in the business, he is now enjoying his eight grandchildren when they have time for him. He and his wife, Mary Jean, live on Jon's grandparents' farm just outside Astoria and when time permits, he is on his horse teamroping around the State.


Bobby Levy
PO Box 69
Echo , OR 97826

Congressional District 2
Term Expires: 11/30/10 Barbara (Bobby) Levy was born in La Grande and has lived her entire life in Oregon. She and her husband Bob have four children, and today live on their farm near Echo. An educator by profession, Bobby has been an adjunct instructor in the Business Technology Department at Blue Mountain Community College, and continues to stay involved in education by substitute teaching. She received an (MBA) Master of Business Administration from Portland State University and a Masters in Teacher Education from Eastern Oregon University. She has served on numerous boards and committees and is a past board member of the Umatilla County Housing Authority. She has extended family members who are all avid sportsmen. Throughout her life, she and her family have enjoyed hunting, fishing and outdoor activities in Northeast Oregon.

[AuntyM]

Is that all of them? You have NO ONE with fisheries experience?

How do they know when managers are telling them fibs?

[Danno]

I see at least two without any experience that would suit them for this job.

[freespool]

This has been my primary beef with the whole process, special interests representation on the Commission. Timber and agriculture are more than represented, while fisheries science, conservationists, and sportfishers, three huge stake holders are left wanting.
How many fisheries bio's are there on the State Forestry Board? Zero, the entire board is made up of industry representatives.

[Ginny Ross]

Is it Englund who has a son or other relative in the gillnetting biz? Hmm, I don't see any mention of that in his blurb. I am not sure of this, so if anyone knows please share. It could be that his marine supply company is for commercial gear? Someone jump in here for rumor control. Thanks.

[drhall99]

Ginny,

Oh yeah, the Englunds are up to their necks in gillnets. His son lobbys for "Salmon for All" which is a pro gill net organization and Englund marine sells nets to them. There are other ties as well. To say he has a conflict of interests is an understatement.

[roadsend]

Originally Posted by Ginny Ross

Is it Englund who has a son or other relative in the gillnetting biz? Hmm, I don't see any mention of that in his blurb. I am not sure of this, so if anyone knows please share. It could be that his marine supply company is for commercial gear? Someone jump in here for rumor control. Thanks.

Englund Marine probably sells the largest selection of industrial, commercial and recreational gear on the coast.
I have been a satisfied customer of theirs for decades.
They are fine people and their business is a major asset to our community.

[AuntyM]

You all have 3 commissioners whose terms expire in April. Is it likely they will be re-appointed?

I'm with you Freespool. That's just WRONG.

[Ginny Ross]

Originally Posted by roadsend

Englund Marine probably sells the largest selection of industrial, commercial and recreational gear on the coast.
I have been a satisfied customer of theirs for decades.
They are fine people and their business is a major asset to our community.

What is your sense of the fairness or balance of having him on the Commission when there is no equivalent representative for conservation or sportfishing interests?

To identify a person's direct financial interests in an industry (especially a vulnerable monopoly) is not to impugn the person's character or the value of their business to a community. I do not mean my comments to do any such thing. Such direct pecuniary interests should be clearly known and accounted for in decision making bodies such as this, though. If this were a judicial scenario, he would need to recuse himself from decisions directly impacting the gillnet season I would think.

[roadsend]

Originally Posted by Ginny Ross

What is your sense of the fairness or balance of having him on the Commission when there is no equivalent representative for conservation or sportfishing interests?

To identify a person's direct financial interests in an industry (especially a vulnerable monopoly) is not to impugn the person's character or the value of their business to a community. I do not mean my comments to do any such thing. Such direct pecuniary interests should be clearly known and accounted for in decision making bodies such as this, though. If this were a judicial scenario, he would need to recuse himself from decisions directly impacting the gillnet season I would think.

The guv knew his business background when he appointed him.
He also sells sportfishing gear. Should he recuse himself from setting our seasons also?
Our state boards and commissions are full of folks with financial interests intertwined with board activities.
Who sits on your professional board (state bar)?

[JohnnyP]

How did he get on in the first place????


They are a crafty bunch, no doubt about it.

[freespool]

The lack of fisheries science representation can be seen by the Commission's tendency to make nonbological decisions concerning fishing issues. Caving in to special interests does the average citizen a huge disservice. Decisions should be grounded in science, not emotion.

[Bait Bucket]

Originally Posted by Ginny Ross

What is your sense of the fairness or balance of having him on the Commission when there is no equivalent representative for conservation or sportfishing interests?

To identify a person's direct financial interests in an industry (especially a vulnerable monopoly) is not to impugn the person's character or the value of their business to a community. I do not mean my comments to do any such thing. Such direct pecuniary interests should be clearly known and accounted for in decision making bodies such as this, though. If this were a judicial scenario, he would need to recuse himself from decisions directly impacting the gillnet season I would think.

I love this woman!

[roadsend]

Originally Posted by freespool

The lack of fisheries science representation can be seen by the Commission's tendency to make nonbological decisions concerning fishing issues. Caving in to special interests does the average citizen a huge disservice. Decisions should be grounded in science, not emotion.

If it were up to me, all the commissioners would be fishery and wildlife biologists, but the guv did not ask me and I doubt he asked you.

[AuntyM]

Originally Posted by roadsend

If it were up to me, all the commissioners would be fishery and wildlife biologists, but the guv did not ask me and I doubt he asked you.

So much for representitive government.

Your governor SHOULD be asking you. Ours asked us and we got exactly what she told us she would do.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Ginny Ross

If this were a judicial scenario, he would need to recuse himself from decisions directly impacting the gillnet season I would think.

Very true, but the judiciary has much stricter ethical standards.

You will see that in this matter an ethics complaint was filed against Englund, and dismissed.

The basis for the dismissal was that Englund violated no ethics laws. The rub is, ORegon's ethics laws as they apply to commissions and elected officials are pitifully weak. Like no laws at all. You about need to have someone shoving dollars bills into your pockets as you vote to be in violation of the conflict rules. Look 'em up.

[drano100]

Originally Posted by JohnnyP

How did he get on in the first place????


They are a crafty bunch, no doubt about it.

Pure politics Jon Dukes(Astoria) who was moving on wanted the commercial interest represented and she had the swing votes that the governor needed at the time to get a bill passed he really wanted. Nothing slimy there. Their were a few large sports retailers that did file a conflict of interest grievance with the state but it turns out the states ethics laws in this area are pretty lax

sorry gary we posted at the same time

[roadsend]

Originally Posted by drano100

Pure politics Jon Dukes(Astoria) who was moving on wanted the commercial interest represented and she had the swing votes that the governor needed at the time to get a bill passed he really wanted. Nothing slimy there. Their were a few large sports retailers that did file a conflict of interest grievance with the state but it turns out the states ethics laws in this area are pretty lax

sorry gary we posted at the same time

I thought that Joan Dukes and our guv were on the same side.
Don't they both represent the same political party?

BTW, didn't the guv appoint Dukes to some board when she retired from the legislature?

[drano100]

Originally Posted by roadsend

I thought that Joan Dukes and our guv were on the same side.
Don't they both represent the same political party?

BTW, didn't the guv appoint Dukes to some board when she retired from the legislature?

Yep you are correct and before she left she wanted Jon in that spot, you should know this being from the area its old news. It is the way the game is played you scratch my back I'll scratch yours. Our new Commissioner is a political payback also, as I remember there was a very well qualified woman from southern Oregon with a fisheries background but the cattle and timber lobbies put and end to her chance.

[Lou]

' Completely laughable. Gov K's paybacks and
lack of responsible research before appointing.

[wayout]

I'd say the WDFW commissioner quals look a bit stronger, at least in some cases. I'm not sure that means that sport interests will be favored, just because we've got fishery scientists on the WDFW commission. That would be too easy.

[jzell]

What are the chances of the commission getting it right?

How would one define "getting it right"?

Based on their record in the past the chance of "getting it right" (to some degree) is low.

We go to Salem prepared with hope....

but I'm afraid the commissioners will only....


Fan the Flames that fuels the growth of the CCA.

jz

[JohnnyP]

Found this interesting, what do you suppose Englund's stance will be tomorrow?


This is from ODF&W commission minutes in January, 2008:


Exhibit C: ANNUAL REVIEW AND RULEMAKING OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL FISHERY PROGARM

Commissioner Englund declared a potential conflict of interest in that his business has the potential of doing business with those involved in developmental fisheries.


http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/co...utes_draft.pdf



More intersting reading about tomorrow's meeting. This is the "Agenda Item Summary"

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/co...ndasummary.pdf

[Ginny Ross]

Hmm. Interesting. What are the developmental fisheries they are talking about?

[Lou]

Originally Posted by Ginny Ross

Hmm. Interesting. What are the developmental fisheries they are talking about?

And if Mr Englund has to excuse himself, why is he there?

[fyshndad]

Dang
It looks like they have already made up thier minds on what the decission will be
Why would they (ODFW) have this plan already decided and then have public testimony fter the fact
Is this a joke? Just appeasing us DUMB sportfishers or what?

[JohnnyP]

Originally Posted by fyshndad

Dang
It looks like they have already made up thier minds on what the decission will be
Why would they (ODFW) have this plan already decided and then have public testimony fter the fact
Is this a joke? Just appeasing us DUMB sportfishers or what?

Yeah, exactly.

They (ODFW) move to adopt "Option 1"

I suggest everyone read "Option 1" (page 3) from this link....

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/co...ndasummary.pdf

[wayout]

Yep.

Here's the arithmetic for splitting ESA impacts per STAFF RECOMMENDED OPTION 1:

Down river Sport I-5 to Bonneville Impact = .855, Percent of Total impact = 46.67%
Up river Sport Bonneville-McNary Impact = .117, Percent of Total impact = 6.39%
Commercial I-5 to Bonneville Impact = .710, Percent of Total impact = 38.76%
Commercial "Select Area" (SAFE) Impact = .150, Percent of Total impact = 8.19%
Total Impact Impact = 1.832%

Total Sport Percent of Impact = 53.06%
Total Commercial Percent of Impact = 46.94%

In essence 53% of available non-treaty impacts go to sports, and 47% go to commercials.

See for yourself:
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/co...ndasummary.pdf

[ChrisN]

This is not the first time this has happened either. Yes, it's very frustrating to take the day off from the Show or working, only to realize that most of this decision is already made. The public input definitely does seem to be just for show. If they are following previous trends, I can tell you that the ODFW commission will not stray very far from the recommendations you read above.

Just my observations....

Chris N.

[Gun Rod Bow]

Originally Posted by freespool

This has been my primary beef with the whole process, special interests representation on the Commission. Timber and agriculture are more than represented, while fisheries science, conservationists, and sportfishers, three huge stake holders are left wanting.
How many fisheries bio's are there on the State Forestry Board? Zero, the entire board is made up of industry representatives.

Uhm yah...Hello....

That is how the commission was designed. Basically, all the interests that don't care about salmon.

That is why the system has got to be changed at the root.

If you think about it, Englund is the only one there who actually has a vested interest in having more salmon.

I don't expect great things tomorrow, just picking the point where we chop the baby in half.

This fight is going to take time, and be done at the legislative level.

Political involvement and a determined strategy is the only way to change it.

Remember, Commercial fishing was here before Oregon was a state.

How long has there been a sportfishing "Industry" in Oregon? 30 years? Maybe???

It has taken well over a hundred years to get here. It's gonna take work to change the direction. But we must, and we will.