A veteran Georgia Public Broadcasting employee has resigned, citing the hiring of former powerful state lawmaker Chip Rogers.
Rogers resigned his state Senate seat last month and is now working as an executive producer at GPB with a six-figure salary.
"I have been presented with a great opportunity with the governor and Georgia Public Broadcasting to take a leadership role in that organization," Rogers said in December.
Rogers became executive producer for GPB's community jobs program.
After learning that the former Senate Majority leader will be paid $150,000 annually, GPB senior producer Ashlie Wilson Pendley has resigned.
A copy of her resignation letter refers to GPB cutbacks, saying, in part, "I think it is unconscionable to create a position and compensate any individual in this manner during these difficult times"
The letter also says, "This was the wrong decision for GPB. It has the appearance of the political manipulation of the public airwaves. This stinks of cronyism."
Bryan Long of the advocacy group Better Georgia released the letter.
"She, in her well-worded resignation letter, just expressed what a lot of people are feeling," said Long.
His group has been critical of Gov. Nathan Deal and other Republicans.
"This job, which, you know, Chip Rogers has been given without any competition, he didn't compete for it, it wasn't advertised -- it's wrong," said Long.
FOX 5 left phone messages but did not get a response from the newly-resigned producer.
The Governor's Office and GPB declined comment as well, except for a GPB official who said Pendley had made "amazing contributions."
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:24 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:24:30 GMT
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Rising flood waters trapped horses inside a Sandy Springs stable on Sunday afternoon. Rescue teams were called to Summit Equestrian Solutions on River Run around 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:10 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:10:38 GMT
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters.
On a day filled with nasty storms and heavy rains, there is a bright spot. A Suwanee police officer is being credited with saving the life of a baby bunny that was swept away by flood waters during Sunday's downpour.
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:00 PM EDT2013-05-19 18:00:39 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of soggy graduates and guests at Morehouse College's spring commencement ceremony on Sunday, telling graduates to take the power of their example-- as black men graduating from college-- and use it to improve people's lives.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:53 PM EDT2013-05-19 17:53:40 GMT
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday.
President Barack Obama addressed graduates at Morehouse College's commencement ceremony in Atlanta on Sunday, marking the first time a sitting president has made a commencement address in Georgia since 1938. See photos from his visit to Atlanta here!
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:09 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:09:05 GMT
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
They say you can't win if you don't play, and thousands of people are. The jackpot for Saturday night's Powerball drawing is an estimated $600 million, giving many a bad case of lottery fever.
205 N. Michigan Avenue Ground Floor Chicago, IL 60601 Station Operator: (312) 565-5532 Newsroom: (312)565-5533
