“We have been reforming the Department of Natural Resources since the day I came into office,” Goldmark said. “Through this broad reform effort, we have an opportunity to work with other agencies to create greater efficiencies and environmental protection for the people of the state.”
Peter Goldmark is a funny guy. Maybe he thinks ordering people to call him Commissioner or Dr. Goldmark is reform… or maybe it was the soundproofing of his office… or lying to Governor Gregoire to keep his plane… or ignoring the money savings ideas put forth by his employees.
Well Dr. Commissioner Goldmark, I want to reform the DNR for the better and believe there’s an easy way to make this happen.
The Commissioner of Public Lands should no longer be an elected position. The current method allows an overwhelming amount of politics to play into the management of our state’s natural resources. It allows those who make large campaign contributions to have more influence than the public. It creates chaos and low staff morale whenever a new CPL is elected, especially those in management wondering whether or not they’ll be keeping their jobs. The current system allows a political windbag to sit in office 4 years until the next election, and even a new CPL is no guarantee things will be any different from their predecessor.
Why does Washington state have an elected CPL? I’ve looked but cannot find any other state with an elected CPL. This should be an appointed position. The biggest advantage of having an appointed agency director is they can be relieved from duty immediately when they fail to perform their duties as a public servant.
Please take a moment to email the Office of Financial Management and spread this idea. This would be an excellent step towards reforming the way our state’s natural resources are managed. Governor Gregoire and Peter Goldmark are claiming to be open to public input on the management of our state’s natural resources. While I believe this is just hot air to get the public to feel a little cozier about failing state leadership, a number of people submitting the same idea would draw attention.
Ideas submitted to the governor can be viewed at www.governor.wa.gov/priorities/reform/naturalresources.asp.
Comments or additional ideas can be submitted to resource.reform@ofm.wa.gov.
Contact: Kate Lykins Brown, Office of Financial Management, 360-902-0619
