DNR Official Calls Memo Controversy A Misunderstanding

An official with the Department of Natural Resources says the controversy around that memo that apparently warned of firings for DNR employees helping state lawmakers deal with the budget crisis all stems from a misunderstanding. Gary Heimericks, Director of Administrative Support for the Department, was the DNR official who spoke to employees at the meeting at which word of the warning surfaced. He says there was discussion of the budget, but no mention of anyone being dismissed for helping lawmakers in their efforts to cut the budget. He adds there was talk of budget cuts leading to job cuts. He believes one of the employees attending the meeting took notes that misconstrued that point to mean there would be firings.