11/19/09

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Gov. C.L. ``Butch'' Otter slammed the former
Idaho Transportation Department director who is suing the state on
whistleblower and gender discrimination claims, calling her
ineffective and saying he lost faith in her before she was fired.

Otter said Thursday he supported the Idaho Transportation
board's move to fire Pam Lowe in July.

This month, Lowe filed a lawsuit against Idaho, contending she
was terminated after refusing to bow to political pressure from
Otter's office not to reduce a highway contract with two of his big
political contributors.

The first female state highway director also says she was
discriminated against because she's a woman.

Otter says, ``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.''

Also Thursday, the agency appointed a new director, Brian Ness,
from the roads agency in Michigan. Ness starts in January.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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