Certainly we have an ethic, from the director's office on down, of being responsive to the public. It's part of our mission.

My first response --- shock and awe. It's like, Where did this come from?

It is important for us to hear from the public as we go about shaping this year's salmon fisheries.

Is it a catastrophe at this point? From all the information I have, the answer is no.

There are two sides to every story. It's up to the state attorney's office as to whether to precede with any criminal charges.

What it is is a political campaign. It's not the use of public office or a vote for financial gain. If it were unethical, then each time an incumbent solicits funds for his own re-election, it would be unethical.