Governors, Wildlife Management chief meet to discuss caribou

BELSHIAD, Wellington--Three western governors and the head of the Wildlife Management Agency (WMA) met Tuesday to discuss strategies for how their states will manage the threatened woodland caribou.

Govs. San Bartholomew (N-Biereland), Pierre Carten (N-Wellington), Lynn DeMont (N-E. Deschire) and WMA Director Kay Warden met in the southwest Wellington city of Belshiad to strategize about management of the caribou, which are found in the mountains of Biereland, western Wellington, and northwestern East Deschire.

The caribou are currently listed as a "threatened species," according to the WMA. Threatened status means the species is nearing endangerment status.

Warden discussed the Menuhaeo administration's plans for protecting caribou, which include designating more than 5,000,000 acres as protected habitat zones, as well as prohibiting human settlement, camping, cars, snow mobiles and all terrain vehicles in certain areas.

"We do not want to see the same problem in western Grassadellia that we've seen in the western United States and western Canada, and that is a situation where the caribou are in endangered status because of human presence and activity," Warden said.

But the governors, who all agree conservation is a priority, are also concerned the administration's plans are too far-reaching.

"We all want to protect the caribou, but I'm particularly concerned that the proposals from the administration may hurt tourism in the Upscotch Mountains region of western Wellington and northeastern Biereland, and tourism is a key industry in the local economy of that region," Pierre Carten said.

Governor Bartholomew of Biereland also voiced his opposition to the administration's plans.

"Designating wilderness area for the caribou is fine, but some of the zones that are being proposed are in populated areas, and that is really going to hinder economic development as well as recreation in many areas. I think we should have a focus on less developed and populated areas," Bartholomew said.

Governor DeMont of East Deschire added tourism and the timber industry may be hurt in the northwestern part of his state.

"The communities in the pan handle region of East Deschire are really very dependent on the timber industries, the mining industries, and tourism. And some of these zones are problematic for us," DeMont said.

Warden stated the administration is not aiming to negatively impact the local economies.

"That's not our goal. We want to foster protection for this beautiful species, while also allowing the local economies and the local people in these areas to continue about their daily lives," said Warden.

The governors did agree to expand conservation and protection zones in less populated areas, however.

"I think we can find some common ground in areas where the population is less and the disruption of commerce is less of an issue," Carten said.

Warden later told the NPF she was "pleased we opened a dialogue" about the caribou, but said she would press for more in the coming months.

"The goal of the Menuhaeo administration and the Wildlife Management Agency is conservation, and we will do all that we can, practically-speaking, to ensure that that goal is met."

Remmington governor's race decided by 531 votes

REMMINGTON CITY, Remmington--New numbers certified by the Remmington Secretary of State's office show the December 2012 governor's contest was one of the closest gubernatorial races ever in national history, and the outcome came down to just 531 votes.

Numbers certified last week by outgoing Secretary of State Pierce Paeley show Conservative Gov. Jen Stevens-Taylor received 786,530 votes, while Remmington City Mayor Graham Alton (N) received 785,999 votes.

Alton formally conceded the race last week, after a state judge ruled that no more recounts were needed. The final count showed Stevens-Taylor hanging on to a 50.02% to 49.98% lead.

The governor, who was running for his second term, led throughout the entire vote counting process, though the final outcome of the race was unknown for weeks while litigation ensued.

Alton told the media last week in a press conference he is not bitter about the outcome, and he believes Stevens-Taylor won "fair and square."

"I don't believe there was any wrongdoing or fraudulent activity going on. I just think this was an extremely close race, and it really does go to show that every vote counts," Alton said.

The one-term mayor declined to say if he will run for governor again in four years, but did announce he will seek re-election as Mayor of Remmington City again in 2013.

"Right now, I will turn my attention away from this very exhausting governor's race we just went through, and instead focus my attention on being a mayor that represents all Remmington City citizens," Alton said.

The final numbers show Alton and his running mate, MP Bryce Goodall of Devry, received large support in the left-leaning city of Annington, as well as Winston, Dry Springs, and Redmand. Alton only received about 50% of the vote in his native Benham County, the state's most populous, while Jen Stevens-Taylor and running mate Heather Scantino enjoyed strong support in Ambodie, Baeymont, and the rural counties.

Alton also called the governor last week to concede the race.

"I told him that I will work with him and support him, in spite of our disagreements."

Senators to Hollywood: Less violence in movies

MAVOCKE--A bipartisan group of senators is calling on Hollywood to lessen the amount of hard-hitting violence in films.

In a letter to Chris Dodd, chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, six senators--three Nationalists and three Conservatives--called on the major film production companies to decrease the use of graphic violence and gore in films.

The letter was penned in light of recent mass shootings in the US and across the world.

The Grassadellian senators claim violence in the media is a significant cause of violence in the real world.

"We are calling on the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), and the MPAA's international counterparts, to advocate for and foster the use of less violence in future films, as we believe violence in movies and other media is a main factor in gun violence and terrorism," the letter read.

The six senators who authored the letter included Carol DelLorean (N-Ansleigha), John Warner-Patterson (N-Wilkonshire), Portia McLendon (N-E. Deschire), Cathy De Beers (C-Monomi), Shannon McCann (C-Kalnier) and Robert Maclan (C-Armana).

Earlier this week, Dodd told American media his organization would discuss voluntary measures to help curb gun violence, but would "vehemently" oppose mandatory restrictions imposed by the government.

"We want to explore what we can do to provide parents and others with the information for them to make choices on what they want to see and what they want their children to see,” Dodd said. “That's a legitimate space for us to be in. It's all voluntary. What we don't want to get involved with is content regulation. We're vehemently opposed to that. We have a free and open society that celebrates the First Amendment."

But in a joint interview on the GBC, Sens. Carol DelLorean and Shannon McCann told host Peter Guthrie that the industry must work to stem violence in media.

"There are many causes of gun violence, but one of the main contributors to this sharp increase in violence can be attributed to the media. We have all these movies with guns and horrific gory scenes, and you've got teenagers and even children under the age of 13 attending these movies in the cinemas and watching them on TV at home. What kind of message is that sending our kids? That violence is not only a reasonable option, but it is popular. It's idolized in our media. This is unacceptable," DelLorean said.

McCann voiced her concern about impressionable minds watching violence in the media.

"It's tough for adults to watch the kind of violence that comes out of Hollywood. And then you've got young people, that are very impressionable, watching this stuff, filling their minds with this kind of gore and graphic images. And there are a lot of troubled kids out there that watch these sorts of movies, and that violence can trigger violence in their own world," McCann said.

The letter from the six senators to the MPAA also asked for representatives from the group, including chairman Dodd, to come to Grassadellia and testify before the Senate.

"We would very much appreciate to hear your point of view in Senate hearings, as we feel your organization is an important voice in the discussion over gun violence and the media," the letter said.

The Motion Picture Association of America has yet to respond to the letter.

Lindstrom to lead CGA for 2014 cycle

GRASSADELLIA CITY--The nation's eight Conservative governors met over the weekend in Grassadellia City.

They bade farewell to outgoing Gov. Sid Hoffa (C-Damoign), and also voted on Hoffa's successor as chair of the Conservative Governors' Association (CGA), which is responsible for recruiting and fundraising for Conservative gubernatorial candidates.

Ansleigha Gov. Dale Lindstrom ended up winning the position, taking five votes. Carova Gov. Sam Byelle received two votes, and Monomi Gov. John Densy only received one vote.

Keeping with tradition, the voting process was conducted in secret. But Lindstrom won five votes in the first round, which ruled out a second round of voting.

After the votes were counted, Lindstrom told his colleagues he appreciated their support and would work hard to re-gain governors seats in the 2014 elections.

"It's going to be a challenge, no doubt about that. But I am up for the challenge, and I think we can make up some ground that we lost in 2012," Lindstrom said.

Hoffa, who is stepping down as governor due to Damoign's one-term limit, also praised Lindstrom as a capable successor.

"I think Dale is a very capable, intelligent, and shrewd politician and strategist. If anyone can gain back some seats in our favor, I think it's Dale Lindstrom," Hoffa said.

Gabler will remain Governor General

CHARINGTON, Marchenay--Governor Christine Gabler (N-Marchenay) will serve a second term as Governor General.

The 2012 class of Nationalist governors gathered at the Marchenay state capital in Charington to vote on their new leader. Gabler was seeking a second term, and only centrist Wellington Gov. Pierre Carten opposed her for the position.

The votes are cast anonymously, so we don't know for sure who voted for whom. But, Gabler did win the in the first round, taking 11 votes to Carten's four.

Gabler thanked Carten for running against her and said his entrance into the race for Governor General prompted "dialogue" among the NAT governors' conference. She also vowed to continue to represent the Grassadellian people at the national level.

"For the past two years, I have fought for Grassadellians, representing their views and the views of our governors to the president, the vice president, and to the Congress. The 2012 elections saw a clear mandate from the Grassadellian people, in favor of NAT governors, and I will continue to take our views to Mavocke, and I will continue to fight for Grassadellian families to the best of my ability," Gabler said.

Carten said he did not challenge Gabler because he doesn't respect her leadership abilities, but because he simply wanted the position.

"I respect Governor Gabler. I think she has served well for the past two years. I just thought this would be a good position for me, and I thought I'd throw my hat in the ring," Carten told the Starksmin Chronicle.

"I also think it's good to have competition when it comes to leadership. I think that's healthy," Carten added.

Gabler has struck a more partisan tone as Governor General than her predecessor, POG Gov. Donna Almone (C), something Almone has criticized her for in the past.

Since she took over as Governor General, Gabler has made consumer rights, the economy, and labor her signature issues.