Conclusion
In this case, it is apparent that Secretary Meyer was influenced by Rep. Gard to overturn the DNR staff decision regarding the Harry House shoreland case. Rep. John Gard was in direct contact with DNR attorneys, the DOJ, and Secretary Meyer. Whether it be by phone conversations, emails, letters or in person visits, there is no questioning the amount of political influence involved in the dismissal of this case.
Rep. John Gard is a prominent member of the Legislature's
Republican majority and of the Legislature's Finance Committee, and a strong
ally of Governor Thompson, who now controls DNR. Because of cases
such as this one, it is obvious that those with political influence receive
special treatment from Thompson's DNR.
No direct connection was evident between the
builder's contributions to Rep. Gard and his contact on behalf of the Harry's;
however, Rep. Gard did receive $2,709 from the Wisconsin Builders Association
between Jan. 1, 1995 to Feb. 19, 1998.(7)
Since 1993 the DNR has referred 85 similar cases
for DOJ enforcement. Out of all these cases, this Harry House site
was one of the few, if not the only one, that Secretary George Meyer actually
visited. In fact, one DNR source was quoted saying, "in all my
time here [working at DNR] I haven't heard of a case where he [Meyer] went
and visited a site,other than this one."
Recommendations
The following sections of this report discuss key details:
Back
to Front of this DNR Report
Political
Involvement
Why
Protect Shorelands and Shoreland Facts
Methods
and References
