Sunday, December 9, 2012

Sun-Herald finds more dirt at DMR, good ole boy dirt.

The Sun-Herald's Karen Nelson uncovered more shenanigans in the scandal at the Department of Marine Resources. Ms. Lee reports DMR spent over $1 million of money meant for artificial reefs to lease boats from foundations, including one operated by the Executive Director of DMR:

"The state Department of Marine Resources, headed by Bill Walker, has since 2007 spent more than $1.46 million in public money on two recreational fishing boats leased from a foundation Walker also manages, state records show.

The Mississippi Marine Resources Foundation's incorporation papers say it was set up to support the DMR's mission to protect and enhance the marine resources of Mississippi. The foundation and the DMR have the same mailing address....

In an interview last week, Walker told the Sun Herald the DMR leased the boats from the foundation for use in the Artificial Reef Program, "to take people out on the water, educate them about our marine resources, try to explain to them why it's important that those things are protected and conserved."

The hundreds of thousands of dollars spent to upgrade and maintain the boats came mostly from Artificial Reef Program funding.

When asked if the two boats are necessary, Walker said, "I don't know what you mean by necessary. We certainly use them for good."

Asked if they are used for entertaining, he said: "We take people who can be helpful to our department. We do take people out and entertain them on our vessels. And when we do, we do work...." Rest of article

Read the rest of the story. Ms. Lee did some damn good work. There is MUCH more to read. Much more.

Statement of incorporation for Mississippi Marine Resources Foundation

Posted by Kingfish at 8:26 AM

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I believe it is now time for Governor Bryant to replace state Department of Marine Resources Executive Director Bill Walker with someone else. Walker was appointed at the beginning of Haley's Regime over 8 years ago, and apparently as soon as he took over the DMR begin to set-up foundations and engage in real estate transactions and self and family enrichment practices like he was operating some kind of family business. Soon, the boot will come down on him and his son from the federal and state authorities and it will smash a lot of folks. The stench is growing by the day, it is time for Governor Bryant to restore taxpayer and public confidence in this important state agency and remove it's tainted leader.

December 9, 2012 at 10:04 AM
Anonymous said...

The capitalist oil elites 'donate' the scrap for the fisheries and cut a check to the foundation which operates to educate and promote their interests as a good corporate citizen of the State of Mississippi. On the capitalist-socialist political continuum Walker and the state are hailed as capitalist friends and the regular folk fish off the pier for the bottom feeders.

December 9, 2012 at 10:18 AM
Anonymous said...

If only we had some sort of, I dunno, "commission" or something, that would investigate unethical behavior.

December 9, 2012 at 6:07 PM
Anonymous said...

A list of who actually went fishing on the sportfishing boats will explain a lot. Or at least explain who is seeking favoritism, BP contracts blessed by the DMR, Restore Act Contracts, engineering firms, etc. Also, who is this David Harris character that has his hands in the CIAP/Coast Heritage Trust land transactions, the sportfishing boats, foundations, donations, etc?

December 11, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Anonymous said...

Actually, Bill Walker was first appointed to his position by Ronnie Musgrove, not Haley Barbour. When it hits the fan concerning the BP money, nearly every elected official in south Mississippi will be named.

December 11, 2012 at 10:41 AM
Anonymous said...

David Harris was the owner of the boat storage facility and restaurant that was constantly fighting with home owners trying to shut it down. Then the white knight (DMR or some govt. agency) with taxpayers money came in and bought it for $4.2 mil. I believe it was on the tax rolls for $2.3 MIL. Someone needs to stop this and pay.

December 11, 2012 at 11:54 AM

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If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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