More fallout from E. coli-gate: DNR employee loses job
JEFFERSON CITY — An employee of the Department of Natural Resources who was responsible for closing public beaches in Missouri when bacteria tests were high has been fired for his role in the E. coli controversy at Lake of the Ozarks.
The Kansas City Star has the story.
Jim Yancey was on vacation when he received high E. coli results that should have led to the closure of Public Beach No. 1. But the beach wasn’t closed. The E. coli controversy started when another former DNR employee withheld a report showing high E. coli levels throughout the lake just before Memorial Day weekend. Since then, Gov. Jay Nixon has fired a top aide and ordered an investigation into pollution at the lake.
A Senate committee is also investigating.
For more background on the story read previous coverage here and here.
The info on the water having ecoli has been talked about for over 2 years from friends of mine that own property down at the lake. It has been a well known fact/rumor and why now is this such a big story. friends of mine have said “don’t get in the water.” for so long, I just figured no one really cared. Who is getting more $ for bringin this to light now?
Oh great, now we have a government employee on the loose in private industry.
…while cardetti, mazur, and templeton keep their jobs…2 months before xmas! where is the media on this???
http://mopns.com/2009/10/23/another-one-bites-the-dust-jay-fires-another-e-coli-conspirator/
This sounds like a lawsuit in the making. You fire a long-time good employee, the guy who is on vacation when a report comes in, but don’t fire the people who lied about the beach being closed to the governor? And then you lie about when?
At this point, there are more lies than truth coming out of Jefferson City. Wait. Isn’t that standard operating procedure?
I think I’ve found the source of the E. coli.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE IDEA THAT THE TOP MAN[NIXON] IS THE ONE THAT SHOULD BE PUNISHED. A GUY TAKES A VACATION AND HE IS FIRED??? I HOPE HE HAS AN ATTORNEY!!! NIXON YOU ARE THE ONE AT FAULT AND YOU CAN PLAY DUCK AND COVER ALL YOU WANT!!WE THE VOTING PUBLIC KNOW THE TRUTH,, YOU LIE!!! YOU LIED ABOUT THIS, YOU TRIED TO BUY MY ELECTED OFFICIAL VOTES!!! LIED ABOUT THAT!!! SO DO THE RGHT THING AND RESIGN BEFORE WE REPLACE YOU!!!
Since when do lazy, state worker vacations take precedence over alerting the public to possible danger? E-coli is not only dangerous when ingested, but can also fester in open cuts or sores, and cause infection. While the guy who was fired might be a nice guy to those who know him, the fact is that he didn’t do his job and passed his lax attitude down to this staff. When employees make big mistakes like this that embarrass the person at the top - they should get fired. It’s about time we have a governor with the guts to make managers accountable when they mess up. There are a few other state agencies that need to start cleaning out their mucked up management. Good employees suffer when management is asleep at the wheel.
Geewiz your comments are out of line. You have no proof of this guy being lazy. Your comments are slanderous. Before you speak you need to know the facts about this guy. He was entitled to a vacation just as much as a private sector employee.
The real problem is the continued building and septic tanks too near the waterline. Years ago we used to vacation at the Lake of the Ozarks every summer. Now, it has become overused, too many homes and resorts and big boats. Try one of the other lakes in Missouri where they prohibit building a structure right on the waterline. Any Corps of Engineers lake has a “take line” beyond which is government property and protected. What a shame, used to be a nice lake, now it is a cesspool! Why anyone would want to live there is beyond me.
When asked for comment, the DNR employee said, “What a bunch of crap.” Literally.
Geewhiz. I know this employee and he is far from lazy. Most all state park workers are there because they believe our natural resources are worth protecting and they find satisfaction in serving their fellow residents. They do not make a lot a money, do not have great retirement benefits( but it helps a little) and could make a lot more money in the private sector. Yes, he screwed up. But to fire him?! He is being made the sacrificial lamb in this complete mess. The next time you want to attack someone or a group of people, just remember, it could be your job next. Read all the stories, gather some facts and comment intelligently.