State transportation board fires Commissioner Evans
(Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution)
Governor laments decision
Some board members said they wanted her gone because new road projects had been choked. Others spoke of concern over the criticism that the department was ineffective. There were also budget issues and discontent over conflicting priorities within the department.
Pictured: Gena Evans, Picture by: Kimberly Smith / ksmith@ajc.com
But in reality, trouble had been fomenting almost since the day Evans was elected. Controversy tipped into rebellion last week after Gov. Sonny Perdue proposed a plan to gut the DOT board of most of its powers over the state’s $2 billion transportation budget. Evans, 40, who was Perdue’s candidate for commissioner, was perceived at times to be more attentive to the governor’s positions than the board’s.
“Obviously there’s been some criticism that apparently our leadership has been inadequate,” said board member Steve Farrow, who was previously a supporter of Evans but voted for the termination. “And when there’s criticism that your leadership’s been inadequate, I think you need to make a change in the leadership.”
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