Topeka: Water director resigns for leadership team

Clark Duffy has stepped aside as acting director of the Kansas Water Office to allow Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to move ahead with a new leadership team for the office.

Duffy resigned Friday and will take a short leave of absence before he assumes a new role in state government, according to Nicole Corcoran-Basso, Sebelius’ spokeswoman.

Former water office director Joe Harkins will act as director until a national search is completed, Corcoran-Basso said. Harkins served as director of the water office under Govs. John Carlin and Mike Hayden.

Duffy, who served as assistant director for 14 years, was named acting director last year when Alan LeDoux resigned after being charged with sexually assaulting a Topeka woman. Sebelius reaffirmed Duffy as acting director in January.

Topeka: Acting health director named at KDHE

Dick Morrissey will serve as the acting director of health for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the agency announced Monday.

Morrissey, the director of the KDHE’s Office of Local and Rural Health, will replace Michael Moser, who will leave Friday for a position in Ohio.

Morrissey, deputy director of the Division of Health from 1989 to 1992, has 25 years of experience with health policy.

“His leadership and experience will help the agency continue working toward its goals, including further development of health policies and continued implementation of the state’s smallpox vaccination efforts,” KDHE Secretary Roderick Bremby said.

KDHE is conducting a nationwide search to find a permanent director.