Re: “In a departure for WA governors, Ferguson avoids news conferences” (Feb. 7, Local News):
When I read this, I realized this was the second time in a week that our newly-elected governor has struggled with transparency.
He also rescinded the appointments of two of the nine commissioners of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife without explanation last week. This action has already delayed much of the work that was on the agenda for the upcoming commission meeting. In addition, it risks much of the work that many wildlife groups have done over the past three years in seeking science-based objective governance for WDFW.
Given the current national political climate, Gov. Ferguson needs to be more transparent, not less. As someone who regularly testifies at the monthly public WDFW commission meetings, I can assert confidently that showing up and speaking about issues that one feels are important is a crucial part of a functioning democracy.
Eric Lagally, Issaquah
