"I have said before and I will now repeat that it is unethical for a legislator to use his or her office to interfere with an ongoing regulatory proceeding. It is also unproductive because when a legislator does that, he or she makes it less likely that the position they favor will succeed. Most regulators will bend over backwards to avoid the appearance of yielding improperly to political pressure. Most Missourians do not want to live in a state where regulators obey the orders of politicians rather than the dictates of state law."
Those are the words Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, used in a recent letter to the Neosho Daily News to explain his decision to stay out of the controversy over Moark's plan to expand its Neosho operation. Nodler did not attend meetings so as to avoid any appearance of impropriety if you accept his explanation.
Apparently, the situation with the Jasper County East Landfill must be different. My understanding is that the effort to open up the landfill is an ongoing regulatory process, but this time Nodler is meeting with Citizens for Environmental Safety, the group which is opposing the landfill plan. If it is unethical for a state senator to use his or her office to interfere with an ongoing regulatory proceeding, then is the senator now doing something he said was unethical only a few days ago?
Or has he simply met with the citizens group because he represents them in the state senate and he believes it is part of his job to listen to his constituents? If so, more power to him.
But that certainly does bring up a question. Couldn't the senator have provided the same courtesy to the citizens who oppose the Moark expansion? He did not have to agree with everything the group wanted, or anything the group wanted for that matter. All he had to do was listen.
Of course, 2006 is an election year.
11 comments:
I wonder if Nodler will speak out against Governor Blunt, who has interfered with the legislative process in his ordered shutdown of RES in Carthage?
You all have to realize that getting reelected is a big deal to Gary because he really is not qualified to hold any real job. If he ended up on the street he would probably have to take a minimum wage job such as an usher in a local theatre or some such.
Mr. Turner,
My meeting with residents in Jasper County was exactly like the meeting that I held with Newton County residents. The only difference is that the Jasper County residents made no request that I in any way try to interfere with an ongoing regulatory proceeding. Their initial request was that I consider whether on or not to amend my CAFO bill to include landfill issues. Representative Steve Hunter and Jasper County Commissioner Jim Honey also attended the meeting. We explained that any future change in law would not affect an existing permit. We have made arrangements for the group to meet with the ombudsman for DNR to discuss their concerns. This ombudsman position did not exist when I met with the Newton County group. I also made it clear to the Jasper County group that I would in no way attempt to improperly influence DNR on ongoing regulatory matter. I have exactly the same high ethical standards that I have always had and have applied them here.
Senator Gary Nodler
Nodler must have played trumpet in the band, because he sure knows how to toot his own horn. That "same high ethical standards" comment cracks me up.
Well Gary, if you won't get involved then what good are you to us?
You know Mr. Nodler, maybe you ought to take that usher job at the theater like someone else suggested on here. But you can't seem to behave yourself there either.
So is the above post real or is it a hoax?
Either way, its fascinating.
Nodler---you are on your way out!!!
gary, dear gary,
i can see by the other comments that you read this blog. so, here is something to read.
you just don't get it! you are still trying to be the big politician but you are not listening to the people that elected you. where will you be when we have to vote again for someone to represent us. i hope that you have made enough friends out there to keep you from the cold of the real world. don't give up, you might still do someting right yet!
randy--just a suggestion, but has anyone noticed the connection between delay to blunt to nodler via royb(rely on your beliefs)
Can a connection be made? In my opinion; yes.
Would love an article on this as well as other individuals that can be tied to delay. Just a thought.
Somehow I don't think all that Third District money is going to save our fearless Senator come election time.
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