CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Just days after Governor Patrick Morrisey filled expired and unfilled appointments to the Natural Resources Commission, there is again a vacancy.
Weirton Attorney Michael Simon declined to accept the appointment from the Governor for the at-large position.
Simon’s office confirmed he had turned down the position in a phone call, but offered no reason why.
A statement from the Governor’s office offered a little more clarity.
“Michael Simon has resigned from the Natural Resources Commission over time constraints that would have limited his ability to fully participate in the responsibilities of the position.” said Gubernatorial Press liaison Ann Moore in response to an e-mail inquiry about Simon’s status.
The decision leaves the Commission with six members, four of whom were confirmed last weekend by the state Senate. Simon did not attend the recent Commission meeting, the first since the appointments were made.
The appointment of the most recent group drew sharp criticism from some sportsmen in West Virginia who vocalized their displeasure on social media and at the most recent Natural Resources Commission meeting. Some groups believed they should have been consulted and allowed to offer more input on the selection for the positions.
This year’s proposed changes to game and fish regulations, season dates, and bag limits were presented to the Commission. Those proposals will be shared with sportsmen this week at the annual Sportsmen’s Sectional Meetings and feedback will be sought. The big game proposals will be voted on at the Commission’s next meeting.
With Simon’s resignation, the At-Large position on the Commission will remain vacant until the Governor appoints a new member to the body.