Cotten picked for Fish and Game head; fish board members decline to interview Maw

  • By Rashah McChesney
  • Wednesday, January 14, 2015 10:42pm
  • News

Editor’s note: A previous version of this article contained an incorrect spelling of Board of Fisheries member Sue Jeffrey’s name, and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

During deliberations over three of the four candidates for Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Board of Fisheries members weighed in with their opinions on the credentials.

But, when Kenai Peninsula commercial fisherman Roland Maw’s name came up its members were silent and voted unanimously not to interview him for the position.

During a joint meeting of the state’s Board of Fisheries and Board of Game, 14 people met and ultimately decided to send one name to Gov. Bill Walker as a recommendation for the position, that of Acting Commissioner Sam Cotten. If Walker approves Cotten’s nomination the Eagle River man will face a final confirmation from the Legislature before dropping “acting” from his title.

Several Board of Fish and Board of Game members supported Cotten, many citing his experience in the Legislature and on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

“He has an extensive background on Legislature, House and Senate, which I think is particularly important to succeed in this position,” said Board of Fisheries member Tom Kluberton, from Talkeetna. “This is very much a political figurehead position that involves the nuances of interfacing with the Legislature, both houses, and the governor.”

Cotten was in the state Legislature from 1975-83 and again from 1985-1993, according to his resume.

Board of Fisheries chairman Karl Johnstone said that Cotten’s position as interim commissioner, appointed by the governor, warranted interviewing him as a candidate.

“It’s the very least that we should do,” he said.

Of all the of the candidates for the position, Maw and Cotten drew the most support. Of the more than 50 people, fisheries organizations and municipalities that submitted comments or letters, support for Maw and Cotten was about equal. None supported any of the other candidates.

Many of the comments referenced Cotten’s support for rural communities.

“He understands their struggles and successes and wants them to flourish,” wrote Katherine Reedy, an anthropologist working in the Aleutians. “He knows the State of Alaska so well from Adak to Barrow and all points in between.”

Others supported Maw for his scientific and professional background.

“May I suggest, therefore, that Governor Walker selects a Commissioner who is not only politically astute and broadly experienced in all aspects of fish, wildlife and habitat management, but one who is a professional scientist who can communicate effectively with people at all levels of expertise,” wrote Stephen Stringham, of Soldotna-based Wildwatch. “If there is anyone who can help Alaska achieve a widely-accepted strategy for managing our fish and wildlife, including predator-prey relations, it is Dr. Roland Maw.”

Board of Game members weighed in to support Maw for an interview.

“(Maw) does have a considerable background and should be an interesting candidate,” said Board of Game member Pete Probasco from Palmer.

Two other Board of Game members openly supported Maw as well before that board voted unanimously to interview Maw for the position. Despite their support, Maw was not passed on to the interview portion as, according to state law, candidates must have a majority vote from both boards to progress through the appointment process.

Board of Fisheries members who voted against him did not explain their positions publicly, though Johnstone and Board Member Sue Jeffrey did make their opposition or support to the other three candidates known.

Johnstone said after the meeting that he had no comment on the board’s unanimous vote against Maw.

When asked about his lack of support for Maw’s candidacy, Board of Fisheries member Fritz Johnson, of Dillingham, wrote in an email: “I think the joint boards made the right decision in endorsing Governor Walker’s selection of Sam Cotten as acting commissioner and I believe as Commissioner of Fish and Game he’ll enjoy broad support from Alaskans who depend on our fish and game resources.”

Jeffrey, of Kodiak, did not return an email requesting her opinion on the matter.

Gov. Walker may choose to appoint Cotten, or he may also request additional names for consideration.

No one from the Governor’s office returned a phone call seeking a timeline for the appointment process. 

Reach Rashah McChesney at rashah.mcchesney@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Sockeye salmon caught in a set gillnet are dragged up onto the beach at a test site for selective harvest setnet gear in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Board of Fish proposals center on king salmon, east side setnet fishery

Many proposals describe changes to the Kenai River Late-Run King Salmon Management Plan

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Senior Prom King and Queen Dennis Borbon and Lorraine Ashcraft are crowned at the 2023 High Roller Senior Prom at Aspen Creek Senior Living in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.
Senior prom crowns king and queen

In brainstorming options, the concept of putting on a prom turned some heads

A photo distributed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows a man who allegedly robbed the Global Credit Union branch located in Anchorage, Sept. 19, 2023. Tyler Ching, 34, was arrested last week on charges related to robberies at the credit union and an Anchorage bank. (Photo courtesy Federal Bureau of Investigation)
Alleged bank robber arrested in Cooper Landing

An Anchorage resident was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in… Continue reading

A seal rescued earlier this summer by the Alaska SeaLife Center awaits release on the North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
2nd harbor seal release draws large crowds

The seals were Pierogi, Pringle and Belle de Fontenay

Attendees search the waters of the Kenai River for sightings of Cook Inlet belugas during Belugas Count! at the Kenai Bluff Overlook in Kenai, Alaska on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Belugas Count! celebrated in Kenai

At a viewing station on Kenai’s bluff overlook, dozens gathered and peered out over the Kenai River during a morning session

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Finance Director Elizabeth Hayes, left, gives a presentation on the school district’s FY23 budget at Soldotna High School on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Soldotna, Alaska. Hayes during the KPBSD Board of Education’s Sept. 11, 2023, meetings, debuted first of an informational “Budget 101 Series.” (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
School district warns of looming $13 million deficit in first ‘Budget 101’ presentation

The first installment explored Alaska’s foundation formula

Clockwise from bottom left: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Alaska Division Commander Col. Jeff Palazzini, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel, Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Michael Connor participate in a signing ceremony for a project partnership agreement for the Kenai Bluff Stabilization Project at the Kenai Senior Center on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Bluff stabilization agreement signed

The agreement allows the project to go out to bid and construction to begin

Lyndsey Bertoldo, Penny Vadla and Jason Tauriainen participate in a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education candidate forum at the Soldotna Public Library in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
School board candidates tackle budget deficits, home-schooling, school maintenance

The discussion was the first of two forums featuring KPBSD school board candidates

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Brad Snowden and Julie Crites participate in a Seward City Council candidate forum at the Seward Community Library in Seward on Thursday.
Seward council candidates discuss issues at election forum

Participating in Thursday’s forum were Julie Crites and Brad Snowden

Most Read