South-central Minnesota will have a strong voice on the Lessard Council — the new group that will recommend how to spend about $90 million every year on fish and wildlife habitat, according to area lawmakers.

State Rep. Bob Gunther, a Fairmont Republican whose district includes parts of Watonwan and Faribault counties, is one of 12 members of the commission that will divvy up a portion of the new sales tax for the arts, water cleanup and the outdoors.

“I’m there to spend it as smartly as we can,” said Gunther. “I’m there to provide some geographic balance.”

Appointed by Democratic House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, the retired grocer said his history of being able to work with Democrats and seek compromise may have also got him the job.

“I think so,” he said. “Above all, the job of the speaker is to get ’er done. I think she focuses on that.”

Some members of outdoors groups complained that Kelliher, who was authorized to appoint two citizens and two lawmakers to the council, picked people without strong hunting and fishing credentials.

But Rep. Tony Cornish, a retired conservation officer whose legislative office is filled with hunting trophies, praised the choice of Gunther.

“I don’t know if it matters if you actually do it if you have a knowledge of it and live in an area that supports it,” Cornish, R-Vernon Center, said of hunting and fishing. “You don’t have to have somebody who goes to Cabela’s every day ... I think he’ll be a good advocate.”

Democratic state Rep. Kathy Brynaert of Mankato also liked Kelliher’s choice.

“I think he’ll be an excellent representative for our (region),” Brynaert said. “He’s been very involved in the whole movement that supported the constitutional amendment.”

Nearly a decade in the making, the proposed amendment to boost the sales tax three-eighths of 1 percent went on the ballot on Nov. 4 and won the support of a solid majority of voters. The tax is expected to generate about $270 million each year with the money split between clean water programs, parks and trails, the arts and habitat for fish and wildlife.

The Lessard Council will make recommendations on the estimated $90 million for fish and wildlife.

“I think we should spend it on things that have a lasting effect,” Gunther said.

And while Gunther isn’t a hunter, critics of Kelliher’s picks apparently are unaware of how much time he spends with a fishing rod in his hands.

“I love to fish,” Gunther said, “whether it’s Rapidan Dam or Lake Hanska or one of the 152 lakes of 10 acres or more in Martin County.”

The Council’s second meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.