STOP COMMERCIAL MENHADEN NETTING

Boy, did we get our butts whipped. We went into the hearing not knowing what to expect other than we felt like this would be an excellent test of our political system. On one side is the public and the excellent job everyone has done to communicate with elected officials throughout the state seeking their support for the bill. On the other side was Omega Proteins/Beaufort Fisheries and their team of lobbyist lead by ex Secretary of State Ruffius Edminston. Rep Stiller presented our case very effectively, I added a little more, and then Jerry Shields[lobbyist for commercial fishing] spoke followed by Jules Wheatley, owner of Beaufort Fisheries. The committee asked several questions of Wheatley regarding our putting him out of buisness. One member asked how many menhaden does he try to net out of a school. His response was "all of them". The committee voted and we were defeated 14 to 8.

My analysis is the deal was done before we ever walked into the hearing. The lobbyist had effectively done their jobs and we didn't stand a chance. So the answer to the question I raised at the start of this is answered. Our political system apparently is not about elected officials responding to their constituents but is about back room dealing with paid lobbyist, favors, relationships/ect. Sure we're disappointed but the defeat was so complete it is appraent following the Legislative path is obviously not the answer. Give us a couple of days to gather our thoughts and develop a strategy and we'll be back. We're bruised, beat up, bloody, but we're still standing, and we're not about to quit. This has been an extroadinary learning experience and what we need to do is not necessarily work harder, but work smarter. Let's hang together and we'll come up with a new plan. Thanks to everyone for your excellent support and all the effort you all put into this.

Rube, Brant, Barrett McMullan 
[tomorrow I'm going fishing!]

SAVE OUR POGIES; where we're at - 09/06/2005

Save Our Pogies- More Work Needed Now! - 07/14/2005

Save Our Pogies; More Work Needed Now! - 07/14/2005

Save Our Pogies; More Work Needed Now! - 07/14/2005

Save Our Pogies; More Work Needed Now! - 07/14/2005

We're still kicking - 05/19/2005

Where we're at, where we go - 05/14/2005

Hearing results - 05/10/2005

Tomorrow is the day! - 05/09/2005

Emergency update from Rep Stiller - 05/05/2005

Red Alert Update - 05/04/2005

SOP letters to Legislatures - 05/04/2005

Dept of Agriculture - 05/04/2005

SOP meeting date time set - 05/03/2005

Meeting date changed - 04/28/2005

Meeting day/time set - 04/27/2005

Time to Step Up! - 04/27/2005

We need your help! - 04/27/2005

SOP Update - 04/26/2005

SAVE OUR POGIES..GAME ON! - 04/25/2005

Update - 04/21/2005

SAve Our Pogies bill introduced today - 03/29/2005

CCA comes to Brunswick County - 03/28/2005

Key to Success - 03/22/2005

SOP update - 03/14/2005

Email your State Representatives and Senators- EAS - 03/13/2005

Donations are appreciated - 03/11/2005

GAME ON! - 03/01/2005

We need your help - 02/17/2005

Great Progress is Being Made - 02/11/2005

Save Our Pogies goes live - 02/04/2005

sALTWATER sPORTSMAN sEMINAR INVITES SAVE OUR POGIE - 01/28/2005

SAVE OUR POGIES update - 01/20/2005

SAVE OUR POGIES contributions - 01/20/2005

Action Needed! - 01/15/2005

SAVE OUR POGIES bank account - 01/14/2005

CCA Needs Your Help To Involved - 01/13/2005

Save Our Pogys-- The Mission Begins - 01/11/2005

Election done, time to get moving on pogy issue - 11/05/2004

The Most Important Fish in the Sea - 09/17/2004

Contact Your State Representative - 09/06/2004

Pogy update - 08/24/2004

Pogy update 8/21/04 - 08/21/2004

Pogy update 8/16/04 - 08/16/2004

pogy udate - 08/16/2004

Pogy issues - 08/02/2004

Pogy concerns - 07/27/2004