McCalley resigns as aging agency director

DES MOINES – There's been a shakeup today at the Iowa Department on Aging.

John McCalley has resigned as director of the state agency and Gov. Chet Culver has named former state Rep. Ro Foege, 71, to act as interim department director effective immediately.

McCalley had come under fire in recent weeks when questions were raised concerning the independence of the state's Long Term-Care Ombudsman, Jeanne Yordi, and charges that the Culver administration tried to muzzle the designated advocate for Iowa's elderly.

Culver issued an executive order last week that he said would ensure the independence of the staff and moved the ombudsman office out of the Department on Aging. Culver's order separated the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman  from the Department on Aging and implemented a search for someone to replace the retiring ombudsman Jeanne Yordi.

In noting McCalley's sudden resignation Monday, Culver said making a change at this time would serve the needs of the agency and the persons who depend on its services.

“Clearly, I'm disappointed with certain reports that have come out of the Department on Aging, and this change will help give the agency a fresh start,” the governor said in a statement.

Culver, a first-term Democrat, had come under fire from critics -- including former Republican Gov. Terry Branstad -- for populating “key state agencies with leaders less interested in serving Iowans and more interested in keeping Iowans in the dark about the activities of (Culver's) administration.”

Branstad, who is seeking the GOP nomination to run against Culver, and others have charged Culver has tried to thwart Yordi's advocacy on behalf of seniors.

The criticism was based in part on e-mails from McCalley to Yordi's staff saying “the governor's office” had to approve any efforts by the ombudsmen to advocate for, or against, state and federal legislation dealing with the elderly.

To ensure a seamless transition between Yordi's June 16 departure and the appointment of a replacement, Culver had appointed Foege, a Mount Vernon Democrat, to be interim Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

But, Culver announced Monday that Foege was his choice to lead the agency on an interim basis.

Foege, a social worker, is a former House member with experience on many committees, including human resources, education, appropriations, and administration and rules. He previously served as chairman of the Health and Human Services Appropriations subcommittee.

Foege grew up in a family who advocated for senior citizens. His father was the director of Bartels Home in Waverly and regional director for the Good Samaritan Society.

“Ro is a great communicator whose passions for issues facing Iowa's senior citizens run deep,” Culver said.

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