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McBroom explains vote on NRC appointment

Senate rejects former Grand Rapids mayor

LANSING — The Michigan Senate exercised its constitutional authority to reject the appointment of former Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell to the state’s Natural Resources Commission on Thursday, said state Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan.

“The commission is one of the most powerful and impactful government bodies in this state, especially for the Upper Peninsula, where use of the natural resources affects so many parts of our daily lives,” said McBroom, who voted with the majority to reject the appointment.

McBroom said he has received hundreds of calls, emails, visits and letters from constituents, expressing anger and frustration over Heartwell’s appointment, especially given his stance and actions on guns.

“His appointment was seen by many Second Amendment advocates, hunters, anglers and outdoorsmen and women as a threat to their rights and unfit to represent their positions,” he said.

“Given the NRC, a citizen’s commission, regulates the taking of game and fish, designates game species, establishes the hunting seasons and advises other DNR policies — decisions that directly impact thousands — it is important that we have commissioners whom the people can trust. I am hopeful that future appointments will be independent, critical thinkers about our state’s natural resources policies and will not have a background that leads to such a huge level of mistrust,” McBroom said.

Republican Sen. Jon Bumstead, whose district includes Heartwood’s adopted home in Newaygo, testified last week in favor of the appointment.

“There’s a lot of misinformation being spread about George, including the idea he is anti-gun and anti-hunter. These claims could not be further from the truth,” Bumstead told the Senate’s Advice and Consent Committee.

Democratic Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr., of East Lansing, accused the Republican majority of rejecting Heartwell due to “politics” and said he would have been an independent voice on the panel.

The National Rifle Association had criticized Heartwell’s involvement in one of billionaire Mike Bloomberg’s gun control groups, and Michigan Open Carry had opposed his support as mayor for an unenforceable ordinance prohibiting guns at public meetings.

The Michigan Constitution grants the state Senate with the advice and consent role to either approve or disapprove gubernatorial appointments within 60 session days of the appointment.

Thursday’s move came two weeks after the Senate nixed Whitmer nominee Anna Mitterling for the Natural Resources Commission following Whitmer’s refusal to pull Heartwell’s nomination.

State Rep. Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain, applauded the Senate for rejecting the Heartwell appointment.

“George Heartwell is a noted gun-grabber who had no business getting near the Natural Resources Commission, let alone leading this important panel,” said LaFave.

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