McDermott selected to represent Panhandle
Anthony R. (Tony) McDermott of Sagle has been appointed by Governor Dirk Kempthorne to represent the Panhandle on the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, replacing Nancy Hadley of Sandpoint.
Tony McDermott, 62, is a semi-retired real estate broker who moved to Idaho in 2000. He has a master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University and served in the military for 28 years, Kempthorne’s office reported.
He is scheduled to debut as one of seven commission members when the panel meets on Nov. 18, but his appointment must be confirmed by the state senate when the Idaho Legislature convenes.
McDermott is a lifetime member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the National Rifle Association and the North American Hunting Club.
He is also a member of Idaho Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, a relatively new Idaho group that has a goal of putting it’s members on the commission.
“Their intent is to get politically involved in fish and wildlife issues, something other groups like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation avoid,” said McDermott.
“They have an ambitious agenda, but I’m too new to the group to talk much about it,” he said, noting that he’s been a member for less than two years.
“Personally, I don’t have a particular agenda. I intend to represent as best I can the people of the Panhandle in respect to wildlife resources. It looks like the job will be challenging, interesting and rewarding.”
McDermott said restoring the kokanee population in Lake Pend Oreille was one of his main concerns. However, he said last week that he had no particular issue with the efforts the Idaho Fish and Game Department has made in trying to revive the fishery.
“They’ve worked with sportsmen and they seem to be doing all they can,” he said.
“North Idaho’s big-game herds are probably as good as they’ve ever been, but Lake Pend Oreille is a major concern we have to keep dealing with.”
He said he’s up to the challenge of exploring the possibilities.
“Funding of the agency isn’t a major issue with me,” he said. “There’s never enough money to get things done, but that’s the way it is with any organization. You have to move on from that.”