It looks like someone’s still bitter that his hobby farm burned down!
Apparently bored with the feuds he’s launched against Native American tribes, the Oklahoma Legislature, the Attorney General’s office, veterans' groups, state medical associations, and terrified Brazilian eyebrow waxers, Kevin Stitt is now pouring more fuel on the three-alarm fire he recently ignited against the Oklahoma Forestry Department.
Just a week after firing the State Forester for not having supernatural abilities to tame wildfires and personally shield the Governor’s property, Stitt waddled up to a podium and casually suggested eliminating the entire department.
Via KOCO:
Gov. Kevin Stitt removed the Oklahoma State Forester from his position after devastating wildfires, and now he says he wants to cut the forestry service… He even tossed around the idea of taking down the forestry service completely.
“Why do I even have a department of forestry? Let’s just get rid of the whole thing. That’d save $75 million for the taxpayers, or let’s take $50 million of that and give it to our local firefighters,” Stitt said.
Yep, that’s right.
In a geographically diverse state like Oklahoma — where the forests of the east meet the plains of the west, and where high winds from the Rockies combine with chronic drought to create a perfect recipe for wildfires — Stitt wants to eliminate the department that manages… wildfires.
That’s like Ryan Walters saying we should get rid of school janitors to make school's cleaner, which... crap... I probably just gave him an idea. Sorry!
In all seriousness, Stitt does raise a fair question.
Aside from coordinating emergency wildfire response, helping rural landowners prevent future disasters, managing over 12 million acres of forestland, supporting the state’s timber industry, and partnering with local fire departments in underfunded communities… what has the Forestry Department ever done for us?
They’re basically the Roman Empire in Life of Brian.
At next week’s press conference, don’t be surprised if Stitt announces the State Forester must be burned… for turning him into a newt!
Is anyone else concerned that we live in a state where the governor looks, acts, and has the mental acuity of a Monty Python character played by John Cleese? We really get what we deserve around here, don’t we?
Naturally, Stitt’s decision to call for the elimination of a government agency that has a large presence in rural Oklahoma — and works directly with local volunteer fire departments, landowners, farmers, and small-town officials — has ignited the expected level of outrage.
In fact, the backlash burned so hot that Oklahoma lawmakers had to throw an impromptu “We Love Our Foresters” rally at the Capitol just to cool things down.
Via a Barb “TLO Super Fan” Hoberock article in Oklahoma Voice:
Legislative leaders on Thursday panned Gov. Kevin Stitt’s proposal to eliminate the state Forestry Service after the Republican criticized its response to wildfires last month…
“It sounds like a really bad idea to me,” said Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, a longtime volunteer fire firefighter.
Paxton said the Legislature created the Forestry Service, adding that it is a useful tool for the state…
House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, said elimination of forestry services is “unacceptable.”
Hilbert said he and other lawmakers are hearing from firefighters in their districts “who are frankly furious about what has happened and the insult not only to the Department of Forestry but also to the fire service in general.”
Yep, that’s right. Move over, teachers, physicians, and veterans — Stitt’s found a new group to perturb and alienate: firefighters.
In fact, some of them are literally calling for his impeachment.
Via KFOR:
Fire dept. calls for Stitt’s impeachment and lawmakers condemn Stitt’s statement
On Thursday, the Olive Fire Department posted a link to a Change.org petition calling for the impeachment of Governor Stitt.
“Unfortunately, the governor continues his rhetoric, and we cannot stand by as he threatens the safety of the citizens and firefighters of this great state. So now comes the time for his removal,” the department wrote on Facebook.
Yikes. I don’t think Oklahoma firefighters have been this mad at someone since Connie Chung questioned their competence back in 1995. Kudos to the Governor for topping that high-water mark… I guess.
Anyway, it takes a special kind of political genius to unite tribal leaders, public school teachers, the medical community, and now rural firefighters, all against you. I’m curious to see what essential Oklahoma agency – we’re looking at you, Water Resources Board – Stitt will go after next.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
