Gov. Nixon reinstates Templeton as DNR Director, withdraws Bindbuetel appointment

Intro:	Governor Nixon is taking responsibility for miscommunication between his office and the Department of Natural Resources, but he is refusing to identify who exactly is at fault.
RunTime:	0:41
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: While Nixon stopped short of pinpointing when his staff alerted him to the dangerous levels of E. Coli in the Lake of the Ozarks, he did admit there were some problems within his office.

Actuality:	NIXRESP.WAV
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Description: Clearly, the communication could've been better, crisper and more accurate here. Regardless of whether any of that is my fault, it's my responsibility, I'm governor of the State Of Missouri.

In September, former DNR Deputy Director Joe Bindbuetel took the blame for the miscommunication, and the governor announced he's withdrawing Binbuetel's appointment to the Administrative Hearing Committee.

From the State Capitol, I'm Abby Grimmett, Newsradio 1120, KMOX.

Intro:	Just a few weeks after suspending Department of Natural Resources Director Mark Templeton, Governor Nixon is reinstating him.
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OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Governor Nixon said the Department of Natural Resources is fundamentally flawed, but he has decided to reinstate Mark Templeton as Director.

Nixon put Templeton on a two weeks unpaid suspension after he provided false information to the governor about E. Coli levels in the Lake of the Ozarks.

Actuality:	TEMPM.WAV
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Description: He has spoken at length about his own failings on this matter. He has paid a high price for this department's mistakes. In fact he has paid a higher price than any DNR employee has ever paid.

However, Republican Senator Brad Lager, who is part of the committee doing a separate DNR investigation, says Templeton is responsible for many of the problems stemming from the Department.

From the State Capitol, I'm Abby Grimmett, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	Governor Nixon made several announcements today regarding further investigations of E. Coli issues at the Lake of the Ozarks, including the reinstatement of Department of Natural Resources Director Mark Templeton.
RunTime:	0:39
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Governor Nixon said Templeton paid for the mistakes he made, and it is now time for him return as Director to clean up the DNR.

But Republican Senator Brad Lager, who is part of the committee doing a separate investigation of the DNR says the accountability doesn't stop there.

Actuality:	LAGAR.WAV
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Description: The simple fact is that in May, the public was violated and the public health was put at risk and that happened under the watchful eye of Mark Templeton.

Lager's referring to how Templeton withheld information from the Governor about high E. Coli levels in the Lake of the Ozarks.

From the State Capitol, Abby Grimmett, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	Governor Nixon claims the Department of Natural Resources is working with the Senate Committee that's investigating it, but one committee member disagrees.
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OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Governor Nixon said the Senate committee investigating the Department of Natural Resources has been successful thus far.

But Chairman Republican Senator Brad Lagar says the governor wouldn't know, as he has unsuccessfully tried to meet with Nixon on six separate occasions to discuss the committee's progress.

Actuality:	LAGAR2.WAV
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Description: If he believes the DNR has been working with our committee, he has been misinformed. If he believes they have been cordial in this process, he has been misinformed.

Lager says the DNR has been creating many roadblocks for the committee's investigation.

From the State Capitol, I'm Abby Grimmett, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	Following results of E. Coli investigations at the Lake of the Ozarks, Governor Nixon has withdrawn his appointment of former Natural Resources Department Deputy Director Joe Bindbuetel.
RunTime:	0:41
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Nixon's long trusted aide, and former Department of Natural Resources Deputy Director, Joe Binbuetel (Bin-boy-dull) is taking the fall for miscommunication between the DNR and Nixon Administration.

Actuality:	BINDBU.WAV
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Description: Joe Binbuetel, as I believe he himself realizes, made an error in judgment regarding a release of Lake of the Ozarks sampling results. Because of that error and the jeopardy in which it placed the publics trust, it is proper to withdraw his appointment to the Administrative Hearing Commission effective immediately.

However, Nixon announced he is reinstating Mark Templeton as DNR Director, after being placed on two weeks unpaid suspension because he provided false information to the governor.

From the State Capitol, I'm Abby Grimmett

Intro:	Governor Nixon says the Department of Natural Resources is fundamentally flawed in the way it handles water quality issues.
RunTime:	0:39
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Upon further investigation of E. Coli levels in the Lake of the Ozarks, Governor Nixon said the Department of Natural Resources has a history of not disclosing crucial information to the public.

Actuality:	LEVELS.WAV
Run Time:	00:15
Description: The review shows a history of failing to announce results showing high bacteria levels. Reaching back a number of years the department did not disclose results showing astronomical levels of bacteria being discharged into the Lake of the Ozarks. Some of these were horrific instances.

One instance in the review showed fecal coliform levels were 8,400 times the acceptable limit in June 2007.

Fecal Coliform bacteria is linked E. Coli.

From the State Capitol, I'm Abby Grimmett, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.