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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend August 7, 2006 Fish and Wildlife member to step down By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune After more than nine years on the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, Jacksonville attorney Don Denman wants out. Denman, 73, has asked Gov. Ted Kulongoski to replace him sooner rather than later, saying he would rather go hunting and fishing than help set policies affecting his two favorite pastimes. "I've had my time on the commission and it's time to move on," Denman said. "Basically, I've said, 'enough is enough.' I'd like to take my life back." Kulongoski has been seeking someone new to represent Oregon's vast Second Congressional District on the seven-member commission, which sets fish and wildlife policies and oversees the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Typically, commission members are appointed to no more than two four-year terms. But Denman has remained in his volunteer post indefinitely "at the will of the governor." The governor has no one tapped for the seat at this time, said Lonn Hoklin, Kulongoski's communications director. In September, Kulongoski planned to nominate Gretchen Oosterhout, an Eagle Point systems analyst. But her nomination was pulled amid criticism of her work with fish-conservation groups and for not representing timber or agricultural interests. At the time, Kulongoski aides said he was hoping to appoint a woman to join commission Chairwoman Marla Rae and five men on the commission. "The governor still would like to achieve some gender balance on the commission, but he's not making that an absolute requirement," Hoklin said. Denman skipped Friday's commission meeting in Salem in favor of a fly-fishing trip to Montana that he scheduled long ago, believing he would be off the commission by now, he said. He also expressed a desire to be off before October's meeting, which traditionally interrupts his planned fall deer-hunting trip to eastern Oregon. "It was right in the middle of deer season and I had to leave early to chair the meeting," Denman said. "It would be nice not to worry about those things." If Kulongoski chooses a replacement this month, the Oregon Senate would have to confirm that person before he or she takes the commission seat. The Senate's next scheduled hearing for new appointments is Sept. 21, after the commission's Sept. 8 meeting, said Tanya Gross, an aide in Senate President Peter Courtney's office in Salem. That means Denman remains on the hook for that meeting. A list of appointees for confirmation during the Sept. 21 session was not expected until the end of this month, Gross said. After that, the next scheduled opportunity for Kulongoski's appointments was Nov. 30, Gross said. "September could be my last meeting," Denman said. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews