Kane fires director of tourism office

KANAB (AP) — The director of Kane County's tourism office has been fired.

Ted Hallisey, also known as Cowboy Ted, has been in a protracted dispute with county commissioners.

He was fired after repeatedly ignoring requests to meet with them to discuss his job performance.

Commissioner Mark Habbeshaw says Hallisey had serious problems and was adversarial.

Hallisey has maintained he's been the victim of a "witch hunt." He also says he may have been targeted because he's running as a Democrat against Rep. Mike Noel, a Republican.

County commissioners and Noel say that allegation is ludicrous and say Hallisey was fired for his job performance.

Hallisey says he plans to sue over his firing.