Pa. parks director says he was forced out by Corbett administration

John Norbeck, head of the state's award-winning park system, said the Corbett administration forced his resignation last week because of "philosophical differences," including his opposition to commercial timbering, mining and Marcellus Shale gas drilling in the parks.
His departure comes on the heels of recent criticism of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources by Paulette Viola, a longtime Citizens Advisory Committee member, about its lack of transparency on resource extraction issues and amid reports of widespread morale problems.

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Mr. Norbeck said he wasn't told why the administration wanted him out. The closest anyone came, he said, was when Adam Gingrich, an executive assistant to DCNR Secretary Richard J. Allan, said the "administration has decided to go in a different direction."

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/pa-parks-director-says-he-was-forced-out-by-corbett-administration-656785/#ixzz28nqvnL5W


Does this strike anyone else as ominous? Is Corbett paving the way for mining and drilling in the State Parks by firing high profile opposing voices? I know Corbett is arrogant, but is he really that stupid?