By Wally Kennedy

wkennedy@joplinglobe.com

This time next month, Doyle Childers, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for the past four years, will be looking for a job.

“I would definitely resign by the time Jay Nixon becomes governor. I would assume that Jan. 12 will be the date,’’ Childers said.

Saying Childers and governor-elect Nixon are not on the same page is an understatement. Their relationship over the past four years has been openly contentious.

Childers said last week he could not serve under someone he does not respect.

“He’s a good politician — an excellent politician — but I do not have a lot of respect for him as an individual,’’ Childers said.

Oren Shur, spokesman for Nixon, when asked to comment, declined to respond.

‘Shut out’

Childers’ departure has raised questions about who Nixon will choose to replace him. Shur said applicants are being reviewed, but that Nixon is not commenting.

Environmental groups and some Southwest Missouri residents say they want Nixon to appoint a director who will take a tougher stand against polluters, but so far they feel excluded from the process.

In an e-mail to Margaret Donnelly, a member of the Nixon transition team, Ken Midkiff, chairman of the Sierra Club’s Missouri Clean Water Campaign, wrote: “I have queried leaders of environmental organizations in this state and have learned that none of them has been contacted for input or advice on the selection for the DNR director.

“Industry, business and municipalities have been heavily involved with various natural resource commissions because they want to keep polluting and fouling our air and water. Environmental organizations ... have been routinely shunted to the side by the Blunt/Childers’ regime.

“We had hoped for better from the Nixon administration, but so far we feel shut out.’’

After the e-mail was sent, Midkiff said he was contacted by Charles Bersin, head of transition for Nixon.