By Dave Thompson
Bismarck, ND – The North Dakota Racing Commission has fired the state racing director.
But the majority of commissioners who voted to dismiss Dean Meyer aren't saying why.
Meyer is at the end of his six-month probationary period. And on a three to two vote, commissioners decided to dismiss him. Meyer says he doesn't know why he was fired. And Commission chairman Jim Boehm wouldn't give a reason.
"It's my right -- and under North Dakota law, I don't have to," said Boehm. "And I don't think it's fair to the employee in his future endeavors to mention the reasons."
But Meyer says that's a sign of disrespect.
"I mean, I treat cows better than that," said Meyer, who also ranches in western North Dakota. "They usually know they're dry, or old, or got no teeth or something."
Some horse breeders who attended the Commission meeting were upset. Selfridge State Representative Rod Froelich says the breeders weren't happy with former director Paul Bowlinger.
"I would receive nothing but phone calls, saying we have problems, from the horse people," Froelich told the Commission. "Since Mr. Meyer got the position, I have had people calling me and saying, 'we don't have a problem.' Now in the last three-four days, the phone's been ringing off the hook, with people saying, "what the hell is the problem?'"
The commission actually voted against a motion last week to keep Meyer on -- but had to take a formal vote to terminate his employment.