Southwest Commissioner Named

Idaho Gov. Jim Risch has picked a lifelong Payette County man to serve on the Fish and Game Commission. Robert C. Barowsky replaces John Watts on the Commission. Barowsky is a Democrat; Watts a Republican. Idaho law requires that no more than four of the seven commissioners can be from any one political party. Commissioners Alex Irby, Cameron Wheeler and Wayne Wright are identified by the governor's office as Republicans. Risch already has appointed a Republican, Randall Budge, to serve as commissioner in the Southeast Region. Budge replaced Marcus Gibbs, who had served his maximum two four-year terms. Commissioners Gary Power and Tony McDermott are Independents. Barowsky served as Payette County sheriff for 24 years of a 35-year career in law enforcement. He was also a Fruitland city councilman and leader in several civic organizations. He retired as sheriff in 2005, having served as president of the Idaho Sheriffs Association in 1997. Barowsky ran for the Idaho Senate in 2004 as a Democrat. He will withdraw from his current campaign for the same office in District 9 because state law does not allow Fish and Game commissioners to hold other elective or appointed offices. "Having been born and raised in Idaho, I have a great respect and love for all of Idaho's natural resources. I have hunted and fished for several decades and I have a strong commitment to maintain for every resident the wonderful opportunities that I had to enjoy all aspects of Idaho's outdoor activities," Barowsky said. Risch noted Barowsky's many years of law enforcement service. "He was a well-respected sheriff and has numerous contacts with law enforcement officials throughout the state that will foster a greater relationship in protecting our state's wildlife resources," Risch said. The governor praised Watts for his service on the Commission: "John was an excellent advocate for sporting groups during his tenure on the Commission. Our wildlife resources and the people who enjoyed them were well served by his four years of service."