An internal Ohio
Department of Natural Resources electronically obtained a document copy from multiple sources indicates that the agency intends to merge the
Ohio Division of Wildlife with a sibling division; likely the Ohio
Division of Forestry.
The document also
states that Natural Resources Department Assistant Director/Division
of Parks and Watercraft acting chief Gary Obermiller will retire
October 31st.
This document was
prepared August 30th and was written following a Natural Resources
Department in-house meeting.
For its part the
Natural Resources Department denies that any merger of the Wildlife
Division with any other sister division is planned, now or later.
“The
division of wildlife is not merging with any other divisions. The
notes referencing that were taken out of context when referring to
what other states have done. There is no merger,” said
Natural Resources Department spokesman Matt Eiselstein.
However,
the document’s specifics do not reference any other state and are
quite plain, stating: “We will be merging with Wildlife at some
point in the future.”
Forestry has come
under close scrutiny under the Kasich Administration and the
Republican-controlled Ohio General Assembly. Critics have charged an
indifference exists from each political entity, the general points
being that both the Administration and the state legislature have
bled Forestry of General Revenue funds, have failed to adequately
maintain a stable and efficient work force, have sought to expand
recreational usage by off-road enthusiasts on state forest lands,
have disbanded its specifically applied commissioned officers, have
engaged in questionable logging operations, have conducted
questionable burns at some areas, among other issues.
Similarly, Wildlife
Division commissioned officers were ordered a few months ago to
disengage from conducting law enforcement operations on state forests
except for those that are hunting or fishing related or if they
involve a felony matter.
As for Obermiller,
the assistant director will leave his post October 31st,
or one week before the November 6th general mid-term election. That
is when Ohioans will choose either Democrat Richard Cordray or
Republican Mike DeWine as the next governor of the state.
It is a widely held
thought throughout Ohio’s outdoors community that either DeWine or
Cordray will almost certainly make sweeping changes to virtually all
agencies within the executive branch, including replacing the
leadership of the Natural Resources Department. So much so that
several appointed and ranking officials of both the Department and
the Wildlife Division have said they fully expect to be out of a job
when a new governor is installed January 14th, 2019.
Eielselstein says
that Obermiller has 30-plus years of service with the state and
“could have already retired.”
“No
formal announcement has been made about his retirement.,”
Eislestein
said.
The document also
appears to take note of the long-held opinion by critics outside and
within the agency that the Natural Resources Department is suffering
from internal discord. It states that employees should “have a
positive attitude, don’t be a cancer.” and “If you don’t like
things the way things are going, then be the one to change it.”
JFrischk@Ameritech.net
Excellent and informative article. Something everyone needs to read. The one issue that needs addressed before it's to late, is the expanded off-road use by APV's on our state forests. There is sill time to stop this proposal, but once the bulldozers start it will be to late and the damage will start. Please stay on this issue and keep us informed.
ReplyDeleteSounds like that recommendation, “If you don’t like things the way things are going, then be the one to change it,” was taken to heart by somebody in that meeting. They will, of course, try to make an example of that person. Funny how that works.
ReplyDelete