DaleRussell's Blog

We did a story in February about DOT Board Chairman Mike Evans and what some called a sweetheart deal he got from the director of the EPD. 

Environmental Protection Director, Dr. Carol Couch, overruled her own staff, failed to follow her own EPD policy,  and gave Evans and his developer partners a certificate saying they could build a Wal Mart on top of what her staff called state protected waters.

A Chattahoochee Riverkeeper law suit put a stop to it. The Wal Mart was never built.

You didn’t read about it in the paper, because they never wrote about it.   Mmmmmm. DOT board chairman accused of getting political favors from EPD director is not a story at the Atlanta newspapers these days.

You can watch it here:

 

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detai
l?contentId=5883955&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=V
STY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1

 

Evans, a charming guy I’ve known and liked for years, said it was all just a bureaucratic battle.

 

But there was another angle to the story that was also interesting. The timing.  Dr. Couch – appointed by Sonny Perdue - issued the certificate during the time Perdue wanted Evan’s support for Perdue’s choice for DOT Commissioner: Gena Abraham.

 

Evans did what the Governor wanted.  He cast the deciding vote that got her the job last October.  

 

Now Evans and Abraham are back in the news.   He resigned suddenly today, claiming it is because of a budding romantic relationship with the same Gena Abraham.

We were the only TV crew to capture the moment.

 

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detai
l?contentId=6333128&version=9&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=T
STY&pageId=1.1.1

 

To say this resignation sent shock waves across the state is putting it mildly.

Six months after taking office as the state's first female DOT commissioner we learn Gena Abraham is involved with her boss.  (She answers to the Board of Directors)

 

My phone is ringing off the hook. 

 

 When did the relationship start?   What was the relationship when he voted for her as Commissioner?  Who brought this to the board?  Why?  Will this impact on agency morale? How will the Governor respond?  Will she keep her job?    

The scuttlebutt is the Governor wants to bury this story once and for all tomorrow.

 

I don’t blame him.  I’d want to bury it to, before all those questions are asked. 

 

The board called a special meeting for next Monday.  I have a feeling there are more fireworks to come before this story is dead and gone.