Director of air quality division resigns

Saturday, Aug. 5, 2000 | 7:45 a.m.

Michael Naylor's resignation Friday as director of the health district's air quality division is effective immediately, although he will remain on staff as a consultant until June 2001. A new air quality agency will take over the next month.

Naylor said his resignation has nothing to do with the investigation. But he acknowledged it is partly because of the months of criticism his division has received. He's been with the health district almost 25 years.

The health district launched its investigation following allegations that officials with the air quality district were allowing companies to violate federal air quality regulations. The air quality division issues permits to industrial facilities and companies.

"There's no wrongdoing involved, but somebody (besides the health district), needs to make that determination," Naylor said.

The Clark County District Attorney's office will investigate the allegations.

The assistant director of air quality, Michael Sword, will be the acting director until the new agency is formed.

The new agency, the Southern Nevada Air Quality Management Authority, will be a combination of the health district's air quality division and the county's comprehensive planning air quality division.

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