Take Back The MDC
A Gathering Point for True Sportsmen
Going Once, Twice, Sold To The Man With The Telecommunications Company!
Thursday, May 10th, 2007
There is indeed a grip on the Missouri Department of Conservation these days.
Today's blog will explore the relationship between Don Johnson and Howard Wood, and how that affects you as a hunter and outdoors enthusiast.
Howard Wood is one of the co-founders of Charter Communications and Don Johnson was hired by Wood to serve as the company's Senior Vice President of Human Resources. In 1998, Howard Wood sold Charter Communications to Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft for $4.5 billion. It is rumored that Wood cut Johnson a check for $1 million for a job well done and as a thank you for helping to make Wood a success. So its safe to say that these guys are friends.
Most of what is written above is common knowledge if you read the St. Louis Business Journal on a daily basis. However there is more to the story.
Don Johnson is one of the front runners for this years Conservation Commission appointments. Rumors are running rampant that he tops the list and its because his friend Howard Wood has been very generous to Gov. Blunt's re-election campaign.
Both men sit on the board of Directors of the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM). The CFM is generally thought of as the watchdog group that overlooks the MDC and advises the commission and director on certain issues. However, how can you have honest oversight of the MDC when leaders in both organizations are best friends? Remember that rumored check to Don Johnson for $1 million dollars? Its kind of hard to ignore your friend who sits on the board of the MDC watchdog organization when he in the past has handed you a cool million.
Let me not forget to add that Howard Wood also sits as President at the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation.
So when you consider that both of these men will be in top leadership positions at the MDC, CFM and the MOCHF, we have a huge conflict of interest story here. Sportsmen in Missouri are worried that these commission appointments are being bought and paid for by campaign contributions. Its the opinion of many that Gov. Blunt has been very fair and gracious to Missouri sportsmen and hunters. He has stood up for gun owners and outdoor enthusiast time and again and deserves much credit. We hope that he will ONLY consider individuals who have serious backgrounds in hunting, fishing, trapping and even hunter safety programs and well as outdoor youth programs for these appointments.
Someone like Don Johnson cannot comprehend being a middle class Missourian who enjoys hunting but now has to cringe of the idea of a $29.95 box of steel shot because of increased lead shot regulations brought on by current MDC leadership. How can he relate to that?
These appointments need to be filled by people who have actually worked the issues that face the conservation department on a daily basis. Or people who have spent time in the timber on a regular basis. We want people who actually hunt, and have a passion for trapping, fishing and farming.
Its time to get the lawyers, and bureaucrats out of the MDC and turn it back over to the people who made it great to begin with. Its time we get it back in the hands of people who will expand youth hunter programs....not just allow one per year (Lorna Domke). Its time we get the MDC back in the hands of people who will actually listen to polling data that says hunters don't want further nontoxic ammo regulations. Its time we get the MDC back into the hands of people who will actually expand hunter recruitment instead of shrink it.
I hope and pray the governor will consider appointments who actually have a passionate interest in conservation issues and not people just looking for another power position to tuck under their belt.
Our outdoor heritage is worth too much to put a price tag on.
To discuss this article, Click Here
Next, Why MDC leadership says, "I'm Not The NRA"
Sen. Dan Clemens Remarks
Just last month State Senator Dan Clemens made remarks on the Missouri Senate Floor expressing his concerns with the current leadership at the MDC. Please read his remarks and forward them on to others who may wish to read them. Click Here
Report to Elected Officials
Please download and pass on the Take Back The MDC report to elected officials concerning the current state of the Missouri Department of Conservation. Please call your state elected representatives and senators and tell them that you are concerned with the Leadership at the MDC. Tell them you want change!
Download HERE
