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To All Concerned Sportsmen:
On Friday the 22nd, Duane Shroufe, Marty Macurak (New I & E Chief at G & F), Hays Gilstrap, Suzanne Gilstrap and myself met with Kathy Tulumello, Peter Madrid and Dave Lumia of the AZ Republic.
In Summary, the hour long meeting covered the things listed below.
Management (business) decisions have led to cutbacks at the Republic. Including staff and coverage of certain issues and events.
Need to send Dale Hajek to Scottsdale, because of his expertise and organizational skills, to help launch the new Scottsdale Republic. This created a huge loss in their ability to cover the Outdoor issues. Of the 20 or so people left on the Republic Sports Staff, none were qualified to take over because they did not have the background or knowledge to do a good job in that position.
They clearly recognize that the coverage has lagged.
They stated they are trying to remedy the situation and said they would do so. They have asked for a couple of weeks to get things turned around and that if WE didn't see an improvement in the coverage to go ahead and turn up the heat.
Duane, Marty and Hays offered the assistance of the Department and Commission to help them in numerous ways to improve and expand the Outdoors Page. A number of options we discussed and their is agreement to continue dialogue and develop a better working relationship.
I stated several concerns:
The Republic management has made some decisions that have left us without an Outdoors Page. Whatever the reasons we were the ones sacrificed with these cutbacks and changes. This is unacceptable to the hundreds of thousands of Sportsmen in this state that care about Wildlife and our Outdoor Heritage.
I did not go to the meeting with the idea that Dale Hajek had to be returned to the Outdoor Page. I left there knowing that he was the only option we have because there is simply nobody else to fill his shoes. (Remember this was strongly stated by the Republic representatives). If we want a good Outdoors Page that covers Hunting, Fishing, Wildlife, Game & Fish, Habitat, Conservation Organizations and their work etc., then we need an Outdoors Page Editor that cares and knows his stuff. I cannot believe a professional publication like the Republic would want anything else in it's coverage.
This issue to me is a very simple one. If we don't act as concerned sportsmen then we will not see an Outdoors Page with ZIP ever again at the Republic. We need to make sure the Republic Management understands the value we place on a quality Outdoors page that is editied by someone that cares and is knowledgeable of our issues.
That being stated: Kathy and her management team have asked for a couple of weeks to address this issue. I think we owe them time to make a sincere effort to remedy the lack of an Outdoors Page. However we are watching, reading and still very much concerned. I would ask all of you to be a little patient and give them an opportunity to address the problem. I will be back in touch with all of you, be ready.
Pete Cimellaro, President Wildlife Conservation Council
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