COLUMBUS, Ga. — State Rep. Vance Smith says he’ll try for the Department of Transportation commissioner’s job again.
The Pine Mountain Republican was beaten out for the post on a 7-6 vote by Gena Abraham Evans in October 2007.
The State Transportation Board voted 9-3 in February to fire Ms. Evans, whose controversial tenure included a romantic relationship with board chairman and then-9th District member Mike Evans, leading to their marriage.
The 13-person Transportation Board oversees and directs the Department of Transportation, and members are elected by state lawmakers from the corresponding congressional district.
The General Assembly passed a bill that takes some power and influence away from the DOT board and shifts it to the General Assembly and the governor’s office. Rep. Smith is chairman of the House Transportation Committee.
Mr. Evans resigned from the board in April 2008, after the relationship with Ms. Abraham became public. It was less than three months after North Georgia lawmakers helped elect him to a second term as board chairman. The act displeased House Speaker Glenn Richardson, who supported Rep. Smith for the chairmanship, and he meted out punishment.
Rep. Martin Scott, R-Rossville, and Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ranger, were among four lawmakers who lost leadership positions for voting to re-elect Mr. Evans.
In May, 2008, North Georgia legislators selected Steve Farrow, a Dalton attorney and former state senator, for the 9th District seat.
Or login with:
New Account