NO!!!!! HOLD THE PRESS!!!! –

This is a story that my man Steve King might want to write about…talk about the undead! I hope we’ve got our supply of metaphorical wooden stakes when it comes time to deal with this horror legislation here in Oregon.

Check this (from the Utah Water Guardians web site, today) …

BTW, read the bottom-most post first. The Guardians thought they had the victory, then in the uppermost post, the undead legislation came back. Gives me the shivers. (The dates and “Comments closed” are from the Guardians’ site.)

March 4, 2009 in Uncategorized | Comments closed

HB 187 is BACK!!!

In an unfortunate and dramatic turn of events, Representative Ferry pulled HB 187 out for a “motion to reconsider”, the motion was GRANTED. Representative Draxler made the motion, and now HB 187 has come back to life. An amendment(s) is going to be made to the Bill in order to sway votes, which we find interesting as Rep. Ferry stated yesterday, “This amendment is totally unacceptable”.

HB 187 is now “circled” (on hold) and back on the calendar. The Bill can be back on the floor as early as tomorrow morning, March 5, 2009.

We need people at the Capitol Building tomorrow morning @9 am. (Thursday 3/5/09 and if need be on Friday 3/6/09) If you can make it, come join us.

We need you to CALL and EMAIL your Representative RIGHT NOW!! Tell them to Vote NO on HB 187!

It’s down to the wire; we need your support to kill this bill. This cannot and will not happen without your voice!

This coincides with the standing belief that the overall PROCESS of this Bill is flawed!! This last ditch effort is unwarranted and honestly, very disrespectful to the public; we should not stand for this type of behavior. Let them know where you stand (in a respectful way) and tell them that this is unacceptable.

Here is the second substitute HB 187  –>  http://le.utah.gov/~2009/bills/hbillint/hb0187s02.htm

HOT OFF THE PRESS - HB 187 is defeated!!

Breaking news — The House of Representatives voted the Bill down today 34 – 41!!!!

The public did the unthinkable, sunk HB 187! A big thanks to everyone who wrote their Representatives, called, lobbied, informed, spoke out, went with out sleep, work, food and fishing to fight for something we believe in. Today the people spoke, and today the people were heard!

We are proud of each of you, residents and non-residents alike. Everyone played a big roll in this victory. We all came together with a unified voice…. fantastic work everyone! Wow, unbelievable.

Link to final vote – http://le.utah.gov/~2009/status/hbillsta/hb0187s2.004h.txt

We have (2) more request.

1.      Please write your Representative(s) and let them know how they did. We sent thousands of emails and they answered hundreds of our calls, we need to extend our hand and say thank you! They worked hard for us; let them know you appreciate it.

If you’re rep voted “yes,” it’s perfectly fair to ask them for an explanation, particularly if they went against something they said previously. It’s Ok to call them on it so long as it’s done respectfully. It’s also good to point out anglers CAN and WILL work with landowners to find a permanent solution. We just need to be part of the process from the start. No more of this back-door, secret, “my way or the highway” stuff.

2.      Please use our precious resource with respect, humility and pride. Pick up that trash, repair that broken fence, mend the relationships with landowners and respect private property. We will be looked at very closely this year, let make sure we show them we are Guardians of the water and Stewards of the land.

Thanks again everyone, it wasn’t easy and we appreciate your honest efforts. Well played.

See you on the water,

Bryan Gregson