tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750244306663708036.post6123137610328646211..comments2024-03-23T11:25:40.556-07:00Comments on Pa Rock's Ramble: The Unterrified DemocratPa Rockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16747526882424245608noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750244306663708036.post-78383699217073338012015-11-25T06:21:01.249-07:002015-11-25T06:21:01.249-07:00Our friend, Jeff Schaeperkoetter, served the area ...Our friend, Jeff Schaeperkoetter, served the area just east of Linn, Mo in the General Assembly and State Senate from Gasconade County. This part of Missouri is, like many other areas of the state, known for its natural beauty.<br /><br />Missouri's conservation efforts took a turn for the better with the landslide election of FDR. Democrat Guy Park replaced Republican Henry Caulfield as governor. Park replace the Commissioner of Game and Fish. That was 1932, by 1935 a statewide coalition of business and sporting interests had drafted a Constitutional Amendment to establish what is now known as the Missouri Department of Conservation. <br /><br />The group advanced their position not by criticising the current Commissioner but by lamenting the lack of permanent authority to professionally accomplish the mission he was appointed to oversee. Once ensconced in the state constitution the Department was free from the vagaries of politics as meted out by the state legislature. <br /><br />One aspect of this independence drew the ire of Claire McCaskill when she was State Auditor. The revenue for the Department of Conservation is earmarked directly to the Department. The legislature cannot get their hands on it. McCaskill thought this independent pot of cash was an abuse. She completely failed to comprehend the wisdom of those who sought to free Missouri's conservation efforts from politics.Xobekimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973381691719755451noreply@blogger.com