Soldotna Board of Fish nominee Robert Ruffner failed to receive legislative confirmation last night on a vote of 29Y-30N.
Criticism of Ruffner’s appointment started immediately with Senator Bill Stotlze of Chugiak…
Sen. Stoltze(R-Chugiak): “I’m opposing the nomination first and foremost because it breaks up a tenuous balance that has been in place for decades.”
Stoltze insisted three seats should remain with sportsfishermen, three with commercial fishermen and one with subsistence or personal use.
The idea that Ruffner should or would represent any one interest was refuted by others like Rep. Louise Stutes of Kodiak…
Re. Stutes(R-Kodiak): “We need to stand up and do the right thing and that would be appoint Mr. Ruffner.”
And Anchorage’s Rep. Les Gara…
Rep. Gara(D-Anchorage): “I’m expected to vote against Mr. Ruffner because a lot of groups have said I’m supposed to vote against him, that he’s not a sport fisherman. That’s not how I make my vote.”
Gara was referencing lobbying efforts by the Kenai River Sportsfishing Association, Kenai River Professional Guide Association, Alaska Outdoor Council and others.
However, the recent statements from KRSA runs counter to their efforts in 2013 when they sought to replace commercial fisherman Vince Webster with their own Kristin Mellinger…
KSRM: “And this might be a terrible question, but he is in a commercial fisheries seat, correct?
Ricky Gease: “That’s correct.
KSRM: “Isn’t it understood that each seat kind of represents one interest and that’s why there’s the seven of them, to balance one another?
Gease: “Well, there’s seven people on the Board to get different perspectives, but at the end of the day, they’re there to protect the resource and the users for all Alaskans. You’re not just arguing for your gear group.”
KRSA’s Ricky Gease did however insist all areas of the state should be represented, so we asked…
KSRM: “Who represents the Cook Inlet on the Board at the moment?
Gease: “Cook Inlet, as in the Upper Cook Inlet region, there’s a person, Karl Johnstone is representing out of Anchorage area, Sue Jeffries is out of the Kodiak area. She’s a commercial set netter.”
But this time around, KRSA said Ruffner was not suited to the seat since Johnstone’s former chair should represent Anchorage anglers.
The Governor will now appoint a member to serve a one-year interim term.
