Todd,
Is it true that Hoffman's sole credentials are that he was head of the Chamber of Commerce of Cody, Wyo? And that he served Cheney in some way?
Or is there something more that he has done that would qualify him for the position that he holds? Can you let me know, please? In my mind I keep thinking of all the natural resource folks appointed in this Admin. who have no background in natural resources except as advocates, lobbyists, or former employees for the industries that extract them.

"While Mr. Hoffman may believe the Park Service is a bastion for radicals, millions upon millions of Americans who respect it more than any other in government, recognize that, in this day and age, it takes a strident devotion to core principles to avoid the erosion of a sacred institution under constant threat from commercial exploitation."

And I think that is it in a nutshell. This is a great series, revealing an extremism that seems to be at the root of many problems in our cuntry right now.

Thanks,

Hal

Hal and other readers,
Interesting that you should ask. I had been meaning to post the Interior Department's press release from almost four years ago announcing Paul Hoffman's appointment.
Despite the quote from Interior Secretary Gale Norton about Mr. Hoffman allegedly being a skilled consensus builder and having a long and impressive record as a conservationist, readers can judge for themselves whether both of those labels apply in an enduring way. As the chamber of commerce director in Cody, he was known for ridiculing preservation efforts in the Greater Yellowstone region unless they had obvious benefits for tourism in Cody. One could safely argue that there's never been a better time than now to show his true colors in building consensus and promoting conservation of the National Park Service.

Interior Department press release, below:


Office of the Secretary Contact: Mark Pfeifle
For Immediate Release: 202-208-6416
January 4, 2002

Secretary Norton Appoints Paul Hoffman as
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks

(WASHINGTON) – Interior Secretary Gale Norton today appointed Paul Hoffman, a life-long outdoorsman, a skilled consensus-builder and the executive director of the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce in Cody, Wyoming, to be deputy assistant secretary of the Interior for fish and wildlife and parks. In this position, Hoffman will help oversee two Interior agencies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service

“Paul Hoffman has a long and impressive record as a Wyoming community leader and conservationist,� Norton said. “He is an avid outdoorsman who has worked to improve the conservation and the recreational benefits of parks and other natural areas in Wyoming.�

Hoffman joined the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce in 1990 after working as state director for then-U.S. Representative Dick Cheney from 1985 to 1989. During that time, he helped initiate the bipartisan effort to designate Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River as Wyoming’s first wild and scenic river.

In 1984, Hoffman co-founded the Park County Resouce Council, now known as the Northwest Wyoming Resouce Council, a grassroots group dedicated to protecting the environment of Northwest Wyoming, including Yellowstone National Park.

Hoffman lives in Cody with his wife, Lisa Ann, a daughter, Desiree, and a son, Fritz. He recieved a bachelor degree in economics and biology at the University of California at San Diego, Revelle College. He is an avid hunter, angler, horseman and skier.

Craig Manson, a California Superior Court judge and former general counsel of the California Department of Fish and Game, has been nominated to be assistant secretary of fish and wildlife and parks and is awaiting Senate confirmation. Hoffman will not require Senate confirmation.

– DOI –

G.Hartzog is a great man and knows what he is talking about.... I hosted his visits to two of the parks I worked in. When he came to the USVI with his wife and J. Shouse... who gave the NPS The Wolftrap Farm center for perfoming arts... George asked me to personally drive him around the island as he didn't trust Ms. Shouse to drive their rental car on the "wrong side of the road". Great memories of great people that only an old ranger can recall!