In last week's column I covered some of the faults and weaknesses that are ingrained in our state's top level positions due to the political "payback" appointments that occur each time a new administration takes power. Rather than the most qualified person being appointed to head up the various agencies and departments, it usually means the ones who've been the most helpful and supportive in getting the gubernatorial candidate elected that get the nod, and their qualifications for the position often matter far less.

When Eliot Spitzer was stumping for the governorship, his record as State Attorney General was quite impressive, and that record, along with his promises to improve economic conditions upstate, was largely what got him the votes north of the Lower Hudson. He also indicated his displeasure over the way the Department of Environmental Conservation had been run under the Pataki administration, which helped him get the outdoor enthusiasts' votes. What a difference a couple of months make. Spitzer's appointment of Pete Grannis as Commissioner of DEC smacks of political payback and unfortunately would place a person with ties to animal rights and anti hunting and trapping organizations in the driver's seat of DEC.