Impending Retirement

[Lucky13]

Forgive me if someone else has posted this elsewhere on the board, and I missed it.  Steve LaPan , head of the Great Lakes Section of NYSDEC Fisheries and a familiar face to anyone who has attended State of the Lake meetings,  has announced his retirement.  When we heard of this, there had been no decision on his replacement.  Whether you agreed with all of his analysis and actions or not, I think all have to admit that there have been few folks in the DEC with as much dedication to his job as Steve has shown, and we are lucky that he was so committed to both informing the public through things like the SOL meetings, and gathering information from the public to factor into the decision making.   Lets hope and pray that his successor carries as big a skill set and concern as Steve!

[Kayakhank]

I am on the other side of the lake, so dont know Steve,  but I always feel people that try even if they dont get it right all the time are better than the arm chaIr quarterbacks who do nothing but gripe and complain.     Congrats and well deserved retirement.

 

 

[Gill-T]

More time to chase those Adirondack Bucks. Congrats Steve!

[jimski2]

The need for DEC officials is having an answer  man for all the situations he confronted. Steve was the most talented as a leader.

[HB2]

With the last year of out lay of cash and lack of incoming tax dollars , the next man up is going to have a huge mess on his plate he is going to have to deal with. Fighting for funding will be a tough go . 

 

Good luck in his retirement . He did a great job IMO. We have some of the best fishing in the world literally out my back door . Let's hope the next guy can figure out how,to continue it . 

 

And I plan on joining him , or at least some what in the retirement pool Jan 1 . . 

[Yankee Troller]

I always liked Steve, and I tried to view things from his side of the fence when a lot of anglers had nothing good to say about his science/perspective. I tended to agree with most of his science, and I think he had a lot of tough decisions on our fishery. That being said don't get me going on last years Steelhead regulation for the Lake anglers. Enjoy retirement Steve!

[RudiRose]

I can understand your concerns about a new employee. But, of course, it isn't easy to let go of people with whom you have worked side by side for many years. I have people in my team who are no less dedicated to their work, but I must one day retire and give way to young specialists. Fortunately, now you can no longer work until old age to receive a pension; it is enough to find the pension advisers, as many of my comrades advised me. I have been using the services https://www.hensoncrisp.com/retirement-pensions/ for several years and am very pleased with our cooperation. I can't wait to retire and be able to do my favorite things without thinking about finances.

Edited June 13, 2021 by RudiRose

[Kevin J Legg]

I’ve known Steve for many years and years ago I actually did some graduate work on SLR Muskies at Potsdam State that he continued. Very nice guy and dedicated to our fishery. He was always quick to respond to any questions I had. I wish him a long, happy, well deserved retirement.


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[jimski2]

The DEC always found an “Answer man” who could keep the public informed with their decisions and also put the “radicals” in their place.


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