ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today announced retired Rear Admiral Mark J. Belton as his appointee for the secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
“I am thrilled that a person like Mark Belton, a public servant of unique leadership ability and high character, will be joining our administration as the new DNR secretary,” said Governor Hogan. “There is no question he will be committed to making positive changes for the agency and will work with all stakeholders to preserve, protect, enhance, and restore Maryland’s natural resources for all our citizens.”
A 1983 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Mark Belton achieved the rank of rear admiral after serving on active duty in the U.S. Navy for more than seven years and in the U.S. Navy Reserve for over two decades. He served in Kosovo in 2001 and in Baghdad from 2009 to 2010. In Baghdad, he was the senior force representative to the Iraqi Ministries of Oil and Electricity at the U.S. Embassy.
Mr. Belton retired as rear admiral in late 2014. During his 31-year naval career, he received personal awards, including three Legions of Merit, five Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Commendation Medal, seven Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
From 2003 to 2005, he served as assistant secretary of DNR, where he directly oversaw the Natural Resources Police, finance & administration, human resources, licensing and registration, internal audits, and the office of fair practice.
Mr. Belton’s civilian career also includes a variety of state and local government leadership positions, including executive director of the Pride of Baltimore, Inc.; county administrator for Queen Anne’s County; and county administrator for Charles County.
Will he or won't he support the covert placement of secret hidden gps's on watermen's boats, like the previous tool?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteWill he or won't he support the covert placement of secret hidden gps's on watermen's boats, like the previous tool?
February 14, 2015 at 10:55 AM
I think it's a good idea.
Good choice. Sounds like he has the experience.
ReplyDeleteI hope he does. Watermen need to stop over fishing before it's too late.
ReplyDeleteI am an ex commercial fisherman,Ispent many years making my living from the bay and ocean.Maryland spends millions of taxpayer dollars to restock oyster bars and clean up the bay only to have watermen go out and deplete those oyster bars befor they have a chance to really get built back up real good.Maryland should start a license buy back program and enforcement that would result in lost licenses and boats.If the bay is to be protected then enforcement must be real strict but GPS systems covert or otherwise is not right.
ReplyDeleteStricter enforcement,loss of license and boat is the answer. mandatory GPS systems covert or otherwise is not right and probably unconstitutional.When an oyster bed is restocked at taxpayer expense it should be closed for about 10 years and when reopened only a very short period of time every few years.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteI am an ex commercial fisherman,Ispent many years making my living from the bay and ocean.Maryland spends millions of taxpayer dollars to restock oyster bars and clean up the bay only to have watermen go out and deplete those oyster bars befor they have a chance to really get built back up real good.Maryland should start a license buy back program and enforcement that would result in lost licenses and boats.If the bay is to be protected then enforcement must be real strict but GPS systems covert or otherwise is not right.
February 14, 2015 at 1:07 PM
Virginia has some type of lottery for commercial fisherman in the bay. They are always one step ahead of us.
Why do you say the GPS systems are wrong. Not sure I totally agree with it, but if you criminals would quit breaking the law over and over again then they wouldn't have to resort to those tactics. I don't agree with using radar on the highways for speeding either, but sometimes the government has to get involved.
POG
ReplyDelete