Since the election, Nixon’s transition team had not contacted Childers even though they had talked to other department staff, Childers said. Childers’ time at the department was marked by public fights with Nixon, including over a proposal to tear down the Katy Trail railroad bridge that crosses the Missouri River and the cleanup of the Taum Sauk Reservoir in southeast Missouri after a dam burst. Critics of Childers, a Republican, accused him of being too friendly with business and agricultural interests. Childers said he was trying to work with businesses to stop the pollution before it happened. He said that he and Nixon are on the same page. “Actually the attorney general and I are in total agreement,” Childers said. “He can’t tolerate me, and I can’t tolerate him.”
Panama RPCV Doyle Childers, who as the Missouri's chief environmental officer often seemed to be boxing with Attorney General Jay Nixon with the gloves off, announced he was resigning
Missouri’s chief environmental officer resigning
By KAREN DILLON
The Kansas City Star
Doyle Childers, who as the state’s chief environmental officer often seemed to be boxing with Attorney General Jay Nixon with the gloves off, announced he was resigning Monday.
Childers told The Kansas City Star that he would be leaving his position as director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources by Jan. 12 when Nixon is sworn in as governor.
“It has really been a privilege to work and finish off the major part of my career with an agency that has long-term effects,” said Childers, who was appointed to the position by Gov. Matt Blunt, a Republican. “I can’t think of anything I would rather have done in the past four years.”
Nixon’s staff did not respond to a request for a statement. Nixon, a Democrat, will appoint Childers’ replacement.
Since the election, Nixon’s transition team had not contacted Childers even though they had talked to other department staff, Childers said.
Childers’ time at the department was marked by public fights with Nixon, including over a proposal to tear down the Katy Trail railroad bridge that crosses the Missouri River and the cleanup of the Taum Sauk Reservoir in southeast Missouri after a dam burst.
Critics of Childers, a Republican, accused him of being too friendly with business and agricultural interests.
Childers said he was trying to work with businesses to stop the pollution before it happened.
He said that he and Nixon are on the same page.
“Actually the attorney general and I are in total agreement,” Childers said. “He can’t tolerate me, and I can’t tolerate him.”
Childers, 64, spent 22 years in the Missouri General Assembly before becoming department director. He was born in Ironton, Mo., and was a teacher, farmer and businessman. He also served in the Peace Corps in Central America.
Childers took over the department at a time when a budget crunch had reduced the agency’s general operating funds from $26 million to $6.5 million and reduced staff by about 250 people. Childers was able to help increase general operating funds to $16 million.
He said he is proud of the ombudsman program he established, which allows more input from the public.
The future is unclear but Childers said whatever he does he hopes that he can “use some of that knowledge I’ve accumulated over the years.”
“I’m not ready to sit back in a rocker or anything,” he said.
To reach Karen Dillon, call 816-234-4430 or send e-mail to kdillon@kcstar.com.
