Nevada governor fires wildlife director

Outgoing Gov. Jim Gibbons fired the director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife Monday when he arrived at the governor's office to meet with the transition team for Gibbons' successor, Brian Sandoval. Ken Mayer told The Associated Press he was given a letter by Robin Reedy, Gibbons' chief of staff, ending his employment immediately and thanking him for his service. "I was surprised," said Mayer, who as appointed by Gibbons in 2007. "I thought I had a good relationship with Governor Gibbons, and that he appreciated the work I've done for the state of Nevada." Reedy declined further comment. "The director works at the pleasure of the governor and we will not comment further on personnel related matters," she said in an e-mail to the AP. Gibbons' appointments to the nine-member state Wildlife Commission have been criticized by sportsmen and conservation groups for their emphasis on predator control, such as killing coyotes and mountain lions, to restore Nevada deer herds. Sandoval soundly defeated Gibbons in the June GOP primary, making him the first incumbent governor in state history to lose a nominating election...more