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Is Cuomo considering the dissolution of the DEC Econ officer department?

Gill-T

Gill-T
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MCF

MCF

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For the first time in decades, the NYS State Senate is controlled by the Democrats.

 

The Governor, the Assembly and the Senate are all controlled by the same party.

 

Legislation in both houses are controlled by the majority caucuses.

 

There has been no substantial ethics legislation signed into law for decades, regardless of the controlling parties.

 

NYS has lost the most population in the past two years of any state in the union meaning that several more Congressional seats will be lost due to the 2020 census.  For example currently Tom Reed represents the Southern Tier of NY, a district which starts in Ithaca and goes to the Western state line beyond Jamestown and up to Lake Erie.   Can any representative be expected to reasonably represent a district that large covering that big of an area?

 

We have serious problems to deal with in this state and it is not coming from either party and hasn't in decades going back to Rockefeller.

 

The population of NY all needs to become informed about how our government works and should work    

rolmops

rolmops

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Posted
1 hour ago, MCF said:

For the first time in decades, the NYS State Senate is controlled by the Democrats.

 

The Governor, the Assembly and the Senate are all controlled by the same party.

 

Legislation in both houses are controlled by the majority caucuses.

 

There has been no substantial ethics legislation signed into law for decades, regardless of the controlling parties.

 

NYS has lost the most population in the past two years of any state in the union meaning that several more Congressional seats will be lost due to the 2020 census.  For example currently Tom Reed represents the Southern Tier of NY, a district which starts in Ithaca and goes to the Western state line beyond Jamestown and up to Lake Erie.   Can any representative be expected to reasonably represent a district that large covering that big of an area?

 

We have serious problems to deal with in this state and it is not coming from either party and hasn't in decades going back to Rockefeller.

 

The population of NY all needs to become informed about how our government works and should work    

That is all very interesting, but what does it have to do with the subject of this thread?

MCF

MCF

Posted
Posted

It outlines how the legislative process will work under one party control.  Whatever andrew wants he will get

rolmops

rolmops

Posted
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, MCF said:

It outlines how the legislative process will work under one party control.  Whatever andrew wants he will get

Maybe. In the previous administration there was a democratic majority in both the chambers ,but a small group of democrats caucused with the republicans. This can easily happen again.

Anyway, the democrats are very much on the side of protecting the environment and the natural resources of the state. The information that the DEC provided was crucial to the decision not to have fracking in NY and Cuomo listened to the DEC. It is my feeling that "Emperor" Cuomo may be trying to streamline the different branches of government , but he is not trying to destroy the DEC or take away from its authority. In NY state both republican conservatives and democratic liberals are on the same wavelength as far as  protection of our environment is concerned.

Edited by rolmops
Sk8man

Sk8man

Posted
Posted (edited)

rolmops makes a good point about the environment. My take on the political thing itself is that for years now the TWO PARTY system has not worked nor truly represented the best interests of the people. Dicotomized thinking (e.g. only black and white no "shades of grey") and exteme polarization has never effectively solved complex problems or provided good compromises. What is truly needed at both the Federal and State levels is a strong representative THIRD PARTY to force compromise and reduce polarization (and dysfunction). Sorry for side tracking the topic....it must have been that fourth cup of coffee.:smile:

Edited by Sk8man
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Gill-T

Gill-T

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I edited the original post. As I learn more about the proposed changes, apparently there is not so much a merger as there is complete removal of Econ officers with the immediate take over of all Econ officer duties by the Forestry Ranger division.  This is troubling. 

rolmops

rolmops

Posted
Posted
5 hours ago, Gill-T said:

I edited the original post. As I learn more about the proposed changes, apparently there is not so much a merger as there is complete removal of Econ officers with the immediate take over of all Econ officer duties by the Forestry Ranger division.  This is troubling. 

Could this mean that the rangers will get the same powers as the Econ officers? Or is it only that the administrative supervision will be under the rangers umbrella while the separation of duties remains the same? Or will the rangers also get trained as law enforcement officers?  If so, there will be more law enforcement on the ground. Where in this scheme are the Park Police? Will their authority increase?

Gill-T

Gill-T

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Not sure Rollie, but this whole proposal sounds so crazy that I can’t help but think this must be a sick game of chicken to try to serve notice to the DEC????  Absolutely nuts. 

Gator

Gator

Posted
Posted

This sounds like a decision made to bring Rangers on par with ECOs in terms of pay and job classification. And perhaps support/oversight/administrative burden? If  so, and they continue to maintain unique roles that reflect their respective historical responsibilities, then I don't seen much concern. Consolidation can save taxpayers $$ and reduce the size of government. Which is a pretty conservative thing to want...hence, a surprise from the current regime.

weave

weave

Posted
Posted

It could be as simple as creating one law enforcement arm to handle all outdoors/environmental enforcement, and leaving the DEC to regulation.

Gill-T

Gill-T

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Posted
15 minutes ago, rolmops said:

The jail where Martha Steward served her time. Rumor has it that they are going to add a presidential suite

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United mobile app

 

....and a spray tan booth. Might clash with orange jumpsuit thou. 

Gill-T

Gill-T

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Posted (edited)

This letter explains a little better.

 

Outgoing DEC Commissioner Causes Chaos Prior to Departure

January 4, 2019
Dear Sportsman’s Group,
New York’s Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) have been protecting the fish and wildlife of New York State since the first Game Protectors were appointed in 1880.  In more recent times, ECOs have taken on the responsibility of enforcing the environmental quality laws of New York.  These men and women are at the forefront of battling the effects of climate change in New York.  Protecting the environment goes hand in hand with a healthy population of wild animals and clean, open spaces.   
The ECO’s job duties includes long term police investigations, working in coordination with state and federal agencies while crossing state and international borders, and often result in felony arrests and remediation of the harm done to the environment. Their knowledge, specialized training, and dedication to protecting the environment make them uniquely qualified for this task.  In addition to these duties, ECOs are recognized across the state as Emergency Response specialists by outside agencies, often contacting them for manpower, specialized equipment, and the use of their highly trained Special Operation Groups.  
Outgoing Commissioner Basil Seggos of the Department of the Environmental Conservation has brokered a deal with Civil Service to reclassify New York State’s Forest Rangers as Environmental Conservation Police Officer (Forest Ranger).  While this is being sold as merely a name change, many of the traditional duties of the ECOs have been assigned to these newly titled Environmental Conservation Police Officer (Forest Rangers).  These duties would include investigating Hunter Related Shooting Incidents, enforcing Marine Resource violations, Salt Water Fish Identification, and Fresh Water Wetlands enforcement.  Currently, the ECOs proudly perform these duties and understand the serious nature of these investigations, the training required, and the time needed to complete them.  Time, that the Rangers themselves say they do not have.  
For years the Forest Rangers have been fighting Civil Service for a pay upgrade from SG14 to SG15.  They were ultimately denied this upgrade, lost two appeals, and had a lawsuit regarding the denial recently dismissed in court.  In a denial letter from 2016, Civil Service made it very clear that the Forest Ranger job duties have not changed enough to justify a pay raise.  Commissioner Seggos, looking to keep a promise to the Rangers that they would receive pay equality with the ECOs before he left Office, brokered this back-door deal.  Pay equality cannot be achieved merely by adding a few new duties.  Pay equality is achieved through equal training and equal work load. This deal to circumvent the Civil Service upgrade process will take effect on April 1, 2019, pending NYS Division of Budget approval.
Recently the Rangers have been campaigning to add more men and woman to their ranks as they feel they are not able to provide the level of service that the public demands with their current staffing levels.  This campaign of “40 more Rangers” and “#moreNYrangers” is being driven by the Forest Rangers themselves, and supported by the Adirondack Council, Adirondack Mountain Club and Adirondack Wild.  This campaign is an effort increase staffing in order to handle the traditional Ranger duties they are currently tasked with.  Adding new duties to their plate is contrary to this recent campaign.  As a matter of fact, this will force the Rangers to split their manpower between investigating police related matters (currently performed by the ECOs) and serving those who have come to rely on them for help.   The Environmental Conservation Police Officers support the traditional missions of the Forest Rangers- search and rescue, forest fire prevention, and state land management. Forest Rangers have served well the countless people who enjoy and use the millions of acres of state lands across New York.  
A duplication of duties, by two separate Divisions within the same Agency, is fiscally irresponsible and does not benefit the environment, residents of New York, or the millions of people who come here to enjoy all that this state has to offer.  This duplication is also in direct contrast to Governor Cuomo’s vision when he established the Spending and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Commission.  The unintended consequences of the actions taken by the out-going Commissioner will be felt long after he has left office.  
We are asking for your help in stopping this reclassification process as it is an injustice to hardworking taxpaying families across the state.  New York State Civil Service has addressed the Ranger pay issue. The out-going Commissioner’s attempt to circumvent the process is not only irresponsible, but unethical as well.  The Environmental Conservation Police Officers are, and will continue to be, the men and women on the front lines, protecting New York’s fish & wildlife as well as the environment we all have come to love and enjoy.  Let’s Keep it that way!
Please contact your elected State Assembly and Senate Officials, the DEC Commissioner’s Office, NYS Division of Budget, and Governor Cuomo’s Office in opposition to the proposed reclassification.  Help ensure that New York State’s ECOs continue to lead the way on all environmental crime investigations, and give them the critical attention they deserve!
George LaPoint
Director, NYS EnCon Police Officers Association
Police Benevolent Association of New York State


 

Edited by Gill-T
rolmops

rolmops

Posted
Posted

Thanks Gill.

This letter makes things a lot more understandable.

 

Gill-T

Gill-T

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What was your take away after that merger Jason?  Any noticeable change?

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