Will Abbott Nominated To Lead DES

By Josh Rogers on Thursday, August 15, 2002.

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Governor Jeanne Shaheen has nominated Will Abbott of Holderness to be the next commissioner of the department of environmental services. While the executive council says it will carefully consider Abbott?s record before rendering judgment?..His chances of being confirmed look good?.And not just because of his long track record as an environmentalist?.He?s also well-known to the GOP controlled council as a loyal republican.

Governor Jeanne Shaheen says Will Abbott has the experience and temperament needed to oversee a state agency that?s lacked a full-fledged commissioner since Robert Varney left the department last year. And the Governor applauded Abbott?s willingness to give up his job as executive director of the Squam Lakes Science Center to become the state?s top environmental official.

'I was delighted that he was willing to be nominated and was excited about the potential for being confirmed?.and think he will do a great job.'

Shaheen?s enthusiasm is shared by members of the environmental community. Jane Difley of the society for the protection of NH forests.

'Will Abbott has been conservation stalwart. He worked on the land conservation and investment program. He?s been at the science center at Holderness for a number of years and taught all kinds of people about the environment. He?s just been a great friend of conservation and a wonderful friend to all of us in the conservation community.'

The executive council, which will likely take up the Abbott?s? nomination next month, is understandably more circumspect?..All councilors say they plan on interviewing Abbott and affected parties before making their decision?..But after today?s / yesterday?s council meeting at Harrisville?s Granite mill building?.The comments of many on the five member body had a similar ring.

'I?ve known will for a quite a while?.'

'Well I know will?.I?ve known him for a long time.'

'I?ve known will abbot ever since he came into view when he
he came to work for George Bush number 41.'

The councilors also seemed to share a positive take on Abbot?s political skills?.

'He could do the job'

District three Councilor Ruth Griffin

'I have an extreme high regard for him?.His demeanor is very quiet and quote ?appears to be laid back? but he has a strong constitution.'

Griffin?s esteem is shared by her colleague from District one, Ray Burton. He says Abbott is a consensus builder.

'There?s no question that Will Abbott and his personality?.and his character brings a calming influence to some hot situation and his ability step back and calm down and bring a project forward to completion that doesn?t meet everybody?s one hundred percent satisfaction but does get done.'

And getting this appointment done is clearly a priority for the Shaheen administration, which saw the confirmation of its previous candidate ? acting commissioner Dana Bisbee -- blocked because of partisan differences. Even so, the Governor took pains to stress that politics did not affect her selection of Abbott?

'I have tried not to make party affiliation a litmus test in my appointments?.As you know I?ve appointed democrats republicans and independents to positions??.'

But given the circumstances, tt least one Councilor, Ruth Griffin, found that hard to believe.

'I said to the governor, how did you pull that one out of the bag?.'

The executive council is expected to take up the nomination of Will Abbott at its next meeting.