November 6, 2010
Governor-Elect Paul LePage
Waterville City Hall
One Common St.
Waterville, ME 04901

Dear Gov.-Elect LePage:

I am writing regarding your selection for commissioner of the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. I urge you to break from tradition and appoint someone who is knowledgeable and has a history of support for non-game wildlife and wildlife watching. Enclosed please find a guest editorial that I recently wrote for the Bangor Daily News. I apologize for the small font, but I hope you can read it nonetheless. http://www.bangordailynews.com/Story/Opinion/Fish-wildlife-and-Maines-governor,156196

There is a growing movement in support of non-consumptive wildlife use. In the coming months and years there will be increasing calls to expand the funding base for fish and wildlife management in this state. The only viable source of new monies will be Maine’s non-consumptive users. Unfortunately, Maine’s system of fish and wildlife is and has historically been controlled by so-called “sportsmen”. This must stop. All Mainers own our fish and wildlife resources and all Mainers must be given a voice when it comes to fish and wildlife management. The IFW Commissioner’s Advisory Council has had a stacked deck in favor of killing wildlife since its inception. The Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife never has more than one token wildlife advocate among its membership. Needless to say, pro-wildlife legislation seldom sees the light of day.

As noted in my editorial, wildlife watching in Maine generates more than $800 million annually in economic activity. This is more than that generated by fishing and hunting combined. While numbers of fishers and hunters continues its decline, the number of wildlife watchers continues to climb. The economic future i.e. jobs, lies not with killing our wildlife, but with enjoying living wildlife. Again, I urge you to appoint an IFW commissioner who recognizes the severe problems with the current system of fish and wildlife management and who will work to give everyone a voice in fish and wildlife matters.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

John M. Glowa, Sr.
30 Meadow Wood Drive
South China, ME 04358

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