Jerry Ferrell is the first Black member of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission. (Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources photo)
FRANKFORT — The first Black member of a board overseeing Kentucky’s wildlife management agency apparently lost his seat under a GOP-backed law that a Senate leader said was justified by political Facebook posts.
The Republican-controlled Kentucky Senate did not confirm the reappointment of Jerry Ferrell to the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission when it adjourned Friday. Under previous state law, Ferrell would have been allowed to serve on the commission until the end of the year. But under Senate Bill 245, a new law passed over the veto of Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear that only impacts Ferrell this year, he is required to vacate his position with the legislature’s adjournment.
Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, had said SB 245 was spurred in reaction to political Facebook posts purportedly shared by Ferrell that Stivers considered to be inappropriate for a sitting member of a state board. Stivers specifically mentioned a Facebook post purportedly shared by Ferrell that showed a majority of U.S. Supreme Court justices in “KKK hoodies”.
Ferrell previously told the Lantern he believed SB 245 was targeting him for social media posts he’s shared with his political views, commentary he believed is separate from and not relevant to his work on the Fish and Wildlife Commission. Ferrell was also concerned his removal was a part of a larger “culture” against diversity.
Stivers had denied Ferrell’s removal had anything to do with race, saying he didn’t know Ferrell’s race when the issue of the Facebook posts was brought to him. Ferrell told the Lantern on Friday he was skeptical that Stivers wasn’t aware he is Black.
Ferrell, a veteran, said he was angry about the situation, arguing he didn’t believe “people really understand what it means to be Black in this country.” Ferrell said he was considering his options on how to challenge the removal.
“He wants me out of there. He got his wish,” Ferrell said. “My family has been in service all their life, and that’s what caused me to serve and still serve.”
The commission is made up of nine unpaid members who oversee the KDFWR’s budget consisting of tens of millions of dollars in hunting and fishing license fees, boat registration fees, and federal grants. State law directs the commission to keep a “watchful eye” over the department.
Ferrell’s removal would leave one vacancy on the commission. The Senate on Thursday and Friday confirmed three other Beshear appointments — Joshua Cummins, Jimmy Smith and Fred Shortridge — to the commission.
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