Public Apology

[Darton73]

I want to apologize to everyone on here for the recent exchange between DC and myself regarding KDFWR hiring policy. While I do not make any apologies for WHAT I said, I do apologize for bringing it onto this forum. I also want to clarify that my post had nothing to do with the hiring of Jon Gassett, or Jonathan Day.

Unfortunately, as a result of this exchange, I may have ruined having DC around to answer your questions - that is yet to be seen. DC and myself did continue this discussion via email in a much more civilized manner.



Brian Grossman
Darton73@alltel.net
www.KentuckyHunting.com

[45 Caliber]

Honestly, I would of removed this topic from this site if I was the adminstrator because it dealt with such a sensitive issue. (Just my opinion and others may differ). I work for the government and get criticized quite often by those who don't understand the laws, what I do and why is this and why is that. It's not a good feeling, especially when your decisions are governed by the law. It may not always be right but it's what the law says. What you end up with is bitterness. I commend you on your work and dedication to the site. We can't dwell on our previous mistakes but we can learn from them. I think this site is a good one and you deserve a lot of credit for keeping it maintained.

Many thanks!

[Ynothirekybiologists]

i would like to add we posted this not to cause trouble but to voice our opinion on how things are run at KDFWR. yes this must be a sensitive topic other wise DC and Jon Gassett would not have responded so promptly, this is our opinion and wanted to hear what others had to say. who knows, i might be a long time KDFWR's long time employee expressing to the general public what I feel is going on. We have some excellent biologist, I just feel we need to re-evaluate the hiring process. When I found the biologist position posted on Texas A&M website, I called Mr. Gassett and asked him why it was not on the state site. His response was this is how he was hired and that is how this new biologist would be hired and after they selected candidates they would give them the standard Wildlife Biologist Test in Frankfort. In MY opinion this is very fishy. The candidates should have been pulled directly from the state register and those 5 interviewed, other wise the state register is worthless.
Thanks

[redbone]

I might have missed part of that thread.

But from what I read I didn't see anything way out of line.

But I'm glad to see that you're willing to make ammends and I hope DC will accept.

Brian You provide an invaluable resource to KY hunters with this website, and with the addition of the DC on this site it makes it that much better. I hope the DC will see he is a great addition to this site and contiue his leadership and sharing of knowledge here on these forums.

There will always be differences of opinions, but lets stand together united as hunters and continue on.



Edited by - redbone on 01/24/2002 9:48:19 PM

[Multidigits]

Good post, Dan. I too didn't think the thread was out of line. In fact, I'm glad it surfaced somewhere. Last week, Gasset and Day were both on the Strader show, and I wanted to asked the same question. Problem was, my water heater was out, and I had to put in a new one. Anyway, I was hoping for a new deer man that had Kentucky ties. Someone who has seen the program from the start to the finish. Someone who has worked with Philips in the past and someone who has been in the program at present. David Yancy comes to mind, but I'm sure there are others who were just as qualified as Mr. Day. After all, it doesn't take much to teach someone to say "we need to kill more does" without cracking a smile.

As for DC, I respect him and he knows it, but I do believe someone in his position has to have a bit thicker skin than he appears to have. I also know that he only participates in these forums as a service to us sportsmen and that I applaud. I hope he stays with us.

[Valley Station]

To some of "older guys" todays communication technology is truly amazing.
Kentuckyhunting.com is a "tremendous asset" for all outdoorsmen, those who work for F&W, and those of us who do not. Think of the diversity of knowledge,experience and opinions exchanged from people from one end of Kentucky to other end. Just think , you can find out if elk are bugling in Letcher county or geese are flying at Ballard.
Our F&W friends' personal time is very much appreciated , but, their "question/answer forum" should be on "company time".

[Bowcrazy]

Valley Station is right when he says this question and answer forum should be on F and W 's "company time." It provides valuable feedback BOTH WAYS. In fact it is one of the few options available to get direct answers regarding FW questions and almost the only place that I'm aware of that the Department is getting any substantial broad-based input from the public. Lord knows they don't get it at their Friday morning meetings in Frankfort from the same few people that are able to show up there every three months.

It would be a shame if these public forums don't continue to grow. In the year or so I've been visiting these sites, I've seen a lot of valuable discussion of issues and more than once been influenced by what DC and others had to say. I agree with Multi, I've got a lot of respect for the DC but he needs a little thicker skin. A very good asset for a public servant which I can personally attest to after 20+ years.

[mossyhorns]

DC seems to be fairly thick-skinned. Everyone gives him good-natured heck about his height (or lack thereof) and he takes it with a grin. When he graciously comes on this board, however, to give us the advanced scoop about something coming down the pike, or a behind the scenes look at dept. policy, everyone jumps on him like he was the anti-christ and wants to argue every aspect of KDFWR policy. As a result, DC is reluctant to show up on the board now.

To have a deputy commissioner willing to mix it up with the hunting public on a forum such as this is a rare and special opportunity. Not only has he kept us informed, he has actually presented the side of many posters to the KDFWR and the commissioners.

Bottom line on this is that DC is but one part of the KDFWR scene and isn't personally responsible for everything that is done in Frankfort. DC is a very powerful ally for us as hunters and sportsmen -- a direct link to the top. If we treat DC with the respect and appreciation he deserves from us, I think we will find him and the Dept. more receptive to our concerns and we might possibly discover that the Dept. isn't always wrong on everything.

[INKYHUNTER]

AMEN! Mossyhorns!

[Bowcrazy]

How did we get from an apology to the "Department always wrong on everything"? Kind of took a wide turn there.