Social media is all aflutter this weekend after the abrupt dismissal of the newly hired, yet already popular, head of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism on Friday afternoon.
A press release issued by the governor’s office on June 2 provided no clues as to why Mike Mills was let go less than six months after assuming the position.
Rex Nelson, a columnist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and a prominent critic of Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, seems completely unfazed by what he described as an outburst in a Facebook post.
Mills had purchased a home in Little Rock in December, and those who know him say there was no indication that he had plans to leave anytime soon.
Mills has not immediately responded to a request for comment, but we came across this emotional exchange on Nelson’s social media post today between Mills and Jimmy Bryant, director of the Division of Arkansas Heritage.
Shea Lewis, State Parks Director, will assume the cabinet-level position temporarily.
Some speculate that the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism may soon be under the strong and conservative leadership of the First Gentleman, Bryan Sanders. Sanders currently chairs the Natural State Advisory Council, a new initiative created by the governor in January to promote outdoor recreation and the outdoor economy. After all, politics is a family business.
Austin Bailey is the editor of the Arkansas Occasions and enjoys writing about authorities, politics plus education. Throw me your juiciest gossip, make sure you.
