Only Cookson stood up for the people

To the Editor,

Since my last "Letter to the Editor" and the editorials by the Poplar Bluff DAR newspaper, I have been asked on several occasions by people as to what is going on by the actions of our politicians and their interference with the Missouri Department of Conservation.

In 1936, by a constitutional amendment, the people of the State of Missouri voted by a majority of 3 to 1 to create the Department of Conservation with the authority and responsibility to restore, regulate and preserve the almost depleted fishing, forests and wildlife population in our state. The first 40 years were the hardest due to the small amount of monetary funding available. In 1976 the voters of our state approved an expanded program, the "Design of Conservation," which would be supported by one-eighth percent sales tax, which would go directly to the agency. This funding plus a strong NON-POLITICAL STRUCTURE has made the State of Missouri the national leader of conservation.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is overlooked by a four (4) member commission of which no more than two (2) of them shall be of the same political party. Up to the last day of June 2014, the commission was made up of two Republicans, one Democrat, and one Independent member. They each serve a six year term and receive no salary, receiving only reimbursement for travel and other expenses. These commissioners are responsible for : (1) Appointing a Director of the Department, (2) Serve as the Department's policy making, (3) Approving the Wildlife Code regulations, (4) Strategic planning, and (5) Budget development and major expenditure decisions. These commissioners over the years have done an exceptional job and an outstanding performance of their duties without pay and without the interference of the state politicians.

I sent to each of our politicians a letter along with a copy my last "Letter to the Editor" and the "Editorial" from the Poplar Bluff DAR Sunday, September 7 newspaper. Apparently only one, our Representative, Steve Cookson, listened to the people that he represents.

I received a letter from Senator Libla's Chief of Staff in which Libla instructs him to send me a copy of the "Letter to the Editor" that he sent to the newspaper dated March 12, 2014. The article on the MDC reads:

"As we await SJR 42 to reach the Senate floor for debate, one of many discussions on right now is whether to exempt the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) from this legislation. There are (4) MDC commissioners that manage a yearly budget over $147 million. Their board meetings establish a quorum with only (3) members present. My experience with this agency has been good, however, a concern of mine would be the possibility of a vote of only (2) commissioners that could make dramatic changes to this department, affecting your tax money that supports this agency, and your rights to fish, hunt and utilize conservation property. It is important to note that all of these commissioners are political appointees of the Governor."

Apparently Libla did not read that the MDC Commissioners could not have any political overtone and as to how the commissioners are selected. His letter has the overtone that Governor Nixon has the power to select all the commissioners. They have six year terms that are staggered to the point that a governor could probably select only one and that he consults with congress as to the replacement.

I have not received any correspondence from any of the other politicians that voted "yes" in the attempt to override the Governor's veto concern transferring the control of the captive deer from the Missouri Department of Conservation to the state Agriculture Department and classifying them as "livestock."

I, along with many others, will continue to question the reasoning behind these politicians. The people around the State of Missouri should question their own politicians as to their reasoning and replace them if they are going against the will of the people. These politicians receive a substantial pay for what they do. The MDC Commissioners receive only the thanks from the people of the state for the works that they do.

Any change to the constitutional amendment developing the Missouri Department of Conservation and its responsibilities is the responsibility of all of the people of the State of Missouri and not the politicians.

I will be writing our State Representative, Steve Cookson, thanking him for standing up for listening to the people that he represents.

Gerald T. (TOM) Melton

Doniphan, Mo.