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DEL.ICIO.USOn the dinner theater circuit: Of DOT policy and romance
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Helen, Ga. — It was only appropriate that, one day after playing in Atlanta, Georgia’s most riveting political soap opera moved to the dinner theater circuit on Friday night.
The locale was the Black Bear Dinner Theater, and the occasion was the 9th Congressional District Republican Banquet. These were the people who fought tooth and nail in January to keep Mike Evans on the powerful, 13-member state transportation board, where he served as chairman.
Evans resigned on Thursday, because of a budding romance with the employee he supervised, Department of Transportation Commissioner Gena Abraham — the woman Gov. Sonny Perdue had designated to oversee reform of the massively dysfunctional, billion-dollar agency.
This evening, the north Georgia mountains became the setting for Evans’ apology — and a romantic declaration of a sort. The room was packed when the couple walked in together. Evans in a blazer and his outstanding gray-to-black wavy hair, squiring Abraham in a print dress and high heels.
U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss and state School Superintendent Kathy Cox filled the time between the main course and desert. But it was the DOT lovebirds who provided the conversation. Evans’ father, who lives in Helen, was in the balcony watching.
Evans took the microphone to address the crowd. You can listen to his entire, five-minute speech here.
Was there levity? Yeah, there was some humor. Said Evans:
“[Abraham has] done a lot of great things at DOT, and one of the things she’s done is have the web site revamped. You can go there to GDOTmatchmaker.com, if you’re looking for a date.”
But the former DOT board chairman began on a necessarily serious note.
For in the audience was state Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ranger), one of five House members punished for voting to return Evans to his DOT seat in January, against the wishes of Speaker Glenn Richardson.
Yet this is what makes this romantic tryst serious public business: Evans cast the tie-breaking vote that put Abraham in office, and set in motion the remaking of the DOT.
Mathematically, Abraham’s support on the DOT board now must be considered precarious. Only hours before, at the state Capitol, Gov. Sonny Perdue and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle expressed their support for Abraham, and said they would be contacting DOT board members to argue her case.
This is how Evans approached the topic:
“I owe you an apology. I’ve done that to some of you. And y’all spent a lot of effort getting me re-elected two or three months ago, and me not filling out — finishing out my term, I know is disappointing to some. And I apologize.
“I want to tell you a little bit about what’s going on. No doubt you’ve seen it on TV. And I’ve assured Tom [Graves] and other folks this: Had I known on the day I was re-elected, that I would develop more than a professional relationship with a certain person, I would not have run for re-election…
“The policy at DOT is you can’t date folks in the same chain of command. So one of us had to go. And as most of you know, I resigned my board seat and my chairmanship yesterday. And as I told somebody earlier today, one of us had to go, and I said, ‘Correct me if I’m wrong, I said it’s about a million times more important that she stay over me…’
Evans then introduced his date, who oversees more federal and state money than you or I will ever see in a hundred lifetimes.
She stood, and the crowd politely applauded. Abraham was named DOT commissioner last year — months, according to Evans, before the pair began their relationship.
Continued Evans:
“I said it when I voted for her, in 15 years of public service, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I believe that she’s the best thing that’s come through the doors at DOT. And I believe she’s the last best hope of changing that department.
“And you need to demand that that department change. Through your legislators and through your DOT board member….Because she’s trying to change something that’s been wrong for a long time. There’s a lot of power, and a lot of money in that department, and the industry that it represents. And sometimes those people don’t change very easily.”
When Evans finished, a dozen people in the audience stood. The rest applauded politely, but not enthusiastically. Also in the front row was state Rep. Carl Rogers (R-Gainesville), who earlier in the day had called for both Evans and Abraham to resign their posts. Rogers is considering a run to replace Evans on the DOT board.
Throughout all of this, the most silent figure in this involuntary opera has been Abraham. But with the governor, lieutenant governor, and transportation enthusiasts calling for her continued employment, the question was obvious.
Will you quit?
This is what Abraham said Friday night: “I’m not working tonight. But I will say this. I’m going in Monday. I’m going back to work, just as I have for the last five months.”
And, Abraham said, she intends to sound out the DOT board to figure out how much support she in fact has. They’ll be gathering Monday, too.
And as for her date getting up in front of north Georgia — the Republican portion, anyway — Abraham said: “I told him I’m really proud of you doing that. That was a courageous thing to do.”
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Comments
By DMac
April 19, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this
I don’t know if Evans and/or Abraham is (are) corrupt, but the Georgia Republican party is. The misplaced priorites and the continued pressure for privitization of our roads are a product of the Republican party. They want to enrich their corporate friends while simultaneously shifting the tax burden from the well-off to the middle and lower economic classes.
By festus
April 19, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this
Only until last Wednesday was he called out about his improper relationship. He actually thought he was getting away with it. They’ve been shacking up for months.
By Voter
April 19, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
They’re both finished. I dont need to hear another word from either one. Do You?
By miss kitty
April 19, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
You are crazy! Mike is a loyal man that just happened to work closely with a woman, like 15 hours a day, and became close to her. They aren’t married just developed a relationship because of the many hours they have spent with each other. Mike done the repectable thing and as far as them shacking up—-he has children and repects them and wouldn’t do this. Get a life and quit spreading rumors! Miss Kitty
By Garringer
April 19, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
DMac sounds like a real fool. Probably an Obama voter…Dumb as they get.
DMac likes the current system of corruption and enriching his corporate friends with taxpayer dollars. DMac’s buddies have looted the system, just likes what happens in all socialist systems. The politically powerful enrich themselves.
It’s time to change the current system and put some free market accountability into it. Up with capitalism, down with (Dmac’s) socialism.
By Gertrude McCain
April 19, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
Garringer,
mommy put you through school, daddy wipes your butt, you couldn’t stand on your own if a fair game existed, your silver spoon is your life line, why don’t you go get bent on your mommies credit card you anti-american cream-puff.
By JOHN ARB
April 20, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
I heard Evans speech in Helen Ga nether parties were married at the time and did nothing wrong or immoral but were in conflict with DOT policy which Mr. Evans did the right thing and gave up his chairmanship.
That more then I can say for some elected officials have done.
By Fair and Balanced
April 21, 2008 7:09 AM | Link to this
DMac,
How dare you. How could you. Why did you. You told the truth! Now, you’ll get these little idiots such as Garringer coming out from under their rocks.
By the way, I agree with you, DMac. Good job.
By Politicsisagame
April 21, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
DMac doesn’t seem to realize that is is only the last 6 years the GOP has had any power. The corruption in DOT goes back long before that.
By disbelief
April 21, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe the board kept Gena Abraham, Boy I bet Evans & Abraham & Perdue are laughing at us taxpayers. I sure hope those poor people that got fired for the same thing pushes lawsuits. This is not fair. And evans making a joke about GDOTmatchmaker.com to find a date? That’s not funny. That is totally disgusting.
By judgement
April 21, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
They may be above the law down here but I can guarantee you when they close their eyes in death they will not be above HIS law. I can’t believe that Gena can sleep at night knowing that she broke the policy of the DOT and rubbing the ones she fired faces in it. It’s sad.
By Former Employee of Ms. Abraham
April 22, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
First, Mr. Evans sad joke was not funny and was in terrible taste! It basically spit in the face of every employee at the DOT and frankly in the face of every professional woman in Georgia. I am actually in disbelief at his lack of taste and decorum. This is not about a Romeo and Juliet story! It is about two people who knowingly broke the rules for months and only came out when caught by his former girlfriend. Hey! Mike and Gena, if you two were trying so hard to be the “model” for DOT Employees why didn’t you wait about your little love tryst to Myrtle Beach at your dad’s condo? Why not go after he resigned on Thurs. Yeah, you went. Sorry!! One of your top staff at DOT found you that Thursday night via cell phone and you told him you were in Myrtle Beach. Did you really think he wouldn’t tell others?? Even Mr. COO wants to talk sometimes. People at GBA and GSIFC have known for some time you are the not the moral, ethical and reform minded character you portray yourself to be. We have known for sometime and you know what, you reap what you sow. You are and will continue do so. Oh, Governor!!! hello!!! You need to know people are questioning your unbelievably bad judgement in supporting Gena in the face of these revelations. No, don’t think your link is morality based but rather those little contracts she signed over here. Can you hear it coming down the tracks???????