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Roland Maw, executive director of the United Cook Inlet Drift Association, has taken one step back and two steps forward since his failed application for Alaska commissioner of Fish and Game, and now joins the very people who denied him an interview for the job.
Gov. Bill Walker named Maw to the Alaska Board of Fisheries on Jan 20, replacing Chairman Karl Johnstone, who resigned following public and gubernatorial scrutiny of the board's actions at the commissioner nominee selection meeting on Jan. 14. Maw's place on the board will be effective Jan. 28 following a Jan. 21-27 board meeting in Wrangell.
If confirmed at the end of the legislative session, Maw will alter the composition of the Board of Fisheries by giving representatives of the commercial fishing industry a majority on the seven-member board.
While the Board of Game unanimously recommended Maw to interview for the commissioner post, the Board of Fisheries unanimously rejected him without comment.
"The governor basically wants new ideas on the board," wrote Walker spokesperson Grace Jang in a statement to the Peninsula Clarion.
Johnstone was up for reappointment this year, but Walker told Johnstone his name would not be submitted to the Legislature in light of the Board of Fisheries action at the joint board meeting to consider commissioner applications. Johnstone offered to resign instead for the sake of expediency.
"Today, I spoke with Chair Karl Johnstone and expressed my sincere disappointment in the recent lack of process demonstrated by the Board of Fisheries," wrote Walker in a letter to House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski. "I expect the Board of Fisheries to hold a fair, transparent, and public process when selecting candidates. ... It is apparent to me that it is time for a change on the Board of Fisheries."
Under state law, the joint boards of Fisheries and Game must interview and forward qualified candidates for selection by the governor, who can ask for additional names if desired.
Walker also announced on Jan. 20 that he had appointed Sam Cotten, who was the...