Social Services Director Resigns

Governor Holden late this afternoon issued a short statement saying he has accepted the resignation of Social Services Director Kathy Martin. The resignation comes on the heels of a reorganization of Martin’s department ordered by the governor after an investigation into the death of a foster child in southern Missouri. Holden last week had told the Missourinet he expected Martin to submit further ideas for reorganization for the department, beyond those he ordered. Holden has appointed Deputy Director Steve Renne as acting director and says he’s confident the “agenda of reform and improvement, already underway in the department, will continue to move forward.” A spokesman for the governor says the govenor did not ask for the resignation, though he wasn’t surprised by it.