Eye On Boise

Otter’s statement on Pam Lowe firing

Nov. 19, 2009 11:05 a.m. • 6 comments

Yesterday, in response to a request from the Lewiston Morning Tribune, which has been editorializing against Gov. Butch Otter’s silence on the firing of former Transportation Director Pam Lowe and her wrongful-termination lawsuit against the state, Otter issued the following statement:

“I support the decision of the board to remove the former director and go in another direction. The issue over the past legislative session became Pam and ITD, instead of fixing ailing roads and bridges and addressing the backlog of projects to keep Idaho’s roads safe. Over the course of three years Pam never once raised concerns about the contract with me. In the end, despite her claims, Pam was ineffective and lost the faith and confidence of the board, my office and many in the legislature. Our highways and bridges are critical to Idaho. Now more than ever, we need a leader at ITD who can work with the legislature and board to successfully address our infrastructure needs today and into the future.”

Six comments on this post so far. Add yours!

Sisyphus on November 19 at 2:49 p.m.
Wow. Why would he do that? Her claim is premised in part on political cronyism set against her solid employee reviews. Now the state’s chief politician says she was ineffective. Interesting.
Boise33 on November 19 at 3:35 p.m.
Yes, very interesting that Lowe’s performance reviews aren’t matching what the Governor says. Someone is lying. Wonder who? Pam Lowe, who had nothing to gain except saving the state money, or Otter - a guy trying to win favors and contracts for people backing his political campaign financially. Please, people of Boise, do us all a favor and vote Otter out of office when the time comes. Say no to crooked politicians handing out contracts in exchange for campaign donations. We’re better than that in this state!
Lisa on November 19 at 3:48 p.m.
And Butch has been effective as Governor?, …high unemployment, low education rankings (but his kids have advanced degrees). Butch is just like the old, grey haired, affraid of their shadow, good ol boys in Wahington DC..
fortboise on November 19 at 5:37 p.m.
Gee, if only she’d know she could talk to the Governor and get all that mess cleared up.

Very unimpressive statement from Butch.

Lowe claims that she was sabotaged by the good old boy network, and nothing in this statement speaks against that. I think we would have been just as well off if he’d kept mum.

Either way, the Court is going to sort things out (until the State agrees to settle, and stop the bleeding of our taxpayer dollars on a lost cause).
spokelooneh on November 19 at 9:26 p.m.
Didn’t even have the sense to feign a “creative termination” that might have withstood scrutiny. Arrogance.
homedog on November 20 at 6:31 a.m.
There goes our governor, commenting on a case pending litigation. That’s just great. Such leadership.

Who is the state attorney on this case and where the heck are they?