Two Republican lawmakers have asked the Speaker of the House to investigate possible retribution against two state employees by Governor Benson and department of environmental services commissioner Michael Nolin.
Ted Leach of Hancock and Carl Robertson of Exeter want the legislature to probe the circumstances surrounding the job transfers of Dori Wiggin and Carl Woodbury. The pair are longtime DES workers who have brought department enforcement actions against Governor Benson and a company that once employed Department Commissioner Michael Nolin. Representative Leach says the he has no proof that actual retribution took place, but says lawmakers ought to find out.
"I would hope the speaker would just appoint a good cross-section of members of the legislature -- a special committee - and start asking some questions, and talk to other members of the department and see what happens."
Leach's says several specific events prompt his call for an inquiry. These include Dori Wiggin twice citing Craig Benson for illegally removing sand from in front of his beach house. Shortly before her transfer, Wiggin also questioned wetlands mitigation issues at the Golf Course of New England -- a bankrupt golf club in which the Governor has personally invested 16 million dollars……Carl Woodbury, meanwhile, played a lead role in a 1987 enforcement action against Decom medical waste systems. Michael Nolin was then a company vice president and point of contact with DES.…..Ted Leach contends the recent personnel moves make little sense……and he blames Nolin for fostering an overly permissive regulatory climate.
"I've sensed and others in the legislature have senses that there a retiscence about taking bold stands right now…..they are sort of holding back."
DES commissioner Michael Nolin says Leach has never contacted him directly with his concerns……and takes exception to the criticisms. Nolin says they are unfounded and an attempt to discredit the Governor.
"We're trying to protect the taxpayers dollars here.We're trying to run a good business, and I think we are.There are just these two little issues which are very small when you compare it to the big picture.There will be more rotations there will be more employee enhancement taking place. We're waiting for personnel --personnel approves everyting we do -- nothing is arbitrary."
The department employees in question have so far had different reactions to their transfers. Dori Wiggin has hired an attorney and a filed a complaint with the state personnel board……..Carl Woodbury, whose new posting has yet to take effect, is less outspoken. He told the Nashua Telegraph he hasn’t talked to Michael Nolin since 1990. In an e-mail to Commissioner Nolin, provided by the department… Woodbury noted that Nolin resigned from decom in upon learning the company was violating regulations..……A contention Nolin echoes.
"I do things right. I'd rather be right than anything. And if they are not playing by the rules promulgated by this state I don't want any part of it. That was attitude then. That was my attitude now."
House speaker Gene Chandler has yet to announce his decision on the request for a special inquiry.The Governor's office, meanwhile, has declined comment.
