EPA regional administrator Trey Glenn resigns to fight ‘unfounded charges’
In August of 2017, the former director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), Trey Glenn, was named the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 4 Administrator. On Monday, Glenn resigned from that post amid arrest in ongoing ethics investigation. “As you know, unfounded charges haves been levied against me that I must and will fight,” Glenn said in his resignation letter to EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Stepping down now, I hopes removes any distraction from you and all the great people who work at EPA as you carry out the Agency’s mission.” A grand jury indicted Glenn last week. On Thursday, he was arrested on criminal ethics for multiple violations of Alabama’s Ethics Act. He was booked into a Jefferson County jail in Birmingham before he was released on a $30,000 bond. Glenn’s history with Alabama As director of ADEM from 2005 – 2009, Glenn managed over 600 employees tasked with ensuring a safe, healthy, and productive environment to all Alabama residents. Prior to that he served as division director for the Alabama Office of Water Resources from 2001- 2005 where he was responsible for leading day-to-day operations on coordinating and managing Alabama’s water resources. Before to his post at the EPA, Glenn was working as an independent engineer consultant and business owner, focused on environmental issues. Then-EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt made the announcement of his appointment. “Trey Glenn will bring invaluable experience as regional administrator having spent over two decades working in the field of environmental and regulatory policy,” said Pruitt. “Mr. Glenn will help us carry out President Trump’s vision of creating a more streamlined and efficient EPA that focuses on the Agency’s core mission, while also providing more regulatory certainty to our nation’s businesses.” Alabama Governor Kay Ivey echoed Pruitt’s confidence in Glenn. “We are proud to have a person of Trey Glenn’s caliber leading such an important organization for our area. His experience as Director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management places him in a unique position to be prepared to work with these southern states,” said Ivey. “We are also especially glad to know someone with in-depth knowledge of Alabama will be overseeing our region. Our state looks forward to working closely with Trey and the EPA team to ensure the needs of the state are met and that we stay environmentally friendly.” Alabama’s Senior U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby said he believed Glenn was well-prepared for the new role. “As an accomplished environmental engineer from Alabama, Trey Glenn is well-prepared for this new role and challenge as the EPA Region 4 Administrator,” added Shelby. “Trey has a proven record of leveraging internal and external operations to advance clearly defined goals. Having served as the director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, he understands the value and importance of state authority and control. I am confident that Trey will provide respected leadership across the eight state region, while also promoting and protecting a strong and healthy environment.” Read Glenn’s full resignation below:
What they’re saying: Alabama politicians react to resignation of Jeff Sessions
Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned from his post Wednesday, at the request of President Donald Trump, less than 24 hours after voters went to the polls in the midterm elections. Politicians from across Alabama are reacting to the news: Sen. Richard Shelby: Thank you to my good friend, Jeff Sessions, for over 40 years of noble service to Alabama and our country. Jeff was a respected colleague of mine in the Senate for two decades and represented our nation with honor as the U.S. Attorney General. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne: I’ve known Jeff Sessions for almost four decades, and I applaud his dedicated service to Alabama and our country. I wish him and Mary nothing but the best. I’m confident President Trump will nominate an Attorney General who will continue to be strong on illegal immigration and work to enforce the rule of law in our country. 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby: I have always known Jeff Sessions to be a man of the highest integrity. I am grateful for his long career in service to the State of Alabama, and I appreciate his remarkable leadership as our country’s Attorney General. I wish him the very best in whatever endeavors follow. 4th District U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt: Having served with Jeff Sessions in Congress, I can honestly say that he has always been someone who is of the utmost character and ability. I know he worked every day to uphold the law in all fairness to everyone. He has done great work enforcing our immigration laws, fighting gangs and opioid abuse and upholding religious liberties. Jeff, and his wife Mary, have been good friends with Caroline and me. We wish them the best in whatever is in store for them in the next chapter of their lives 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks: Jeff Sessions honorably and ably served as a United States Attorney, Alabama Attorney General, United States Senator, and U.S. Attorney General. Throughout his long career of public service, Jeff’s deep love of country was evident in his unwavering devotion to upholding America’s foundational principles as enshrined in our Constitution. He served with integrity and dignity. I’m proud to have worked alongside him as both a prosecutor in Alabama and member of Congress. I have been fortunate to know Jeff Sessions for a quarter of a century. As an elected official, Jeff Sessions never wavered in his fierce defense of the Rule of Law and America’s sovereign right to defend and secure its own borders. Jeff Sessions has made Alabama proud. I wish him the best as he embarks on his next journey. 6th District U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer: I have known Jeff Sessions for over three decades. When I met him, he was doing honorable service. In this Administration, his service was nothing less than honorable. I’m grateful for his service and friendship and wish him the best in the future. 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell: Today’s firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions is an alarming reminder of the need for checks and balances. Here in Congress, we have a responsibility to protect special counsel Robert Mueller and the investigation into Russia’s interference in our democracy. Our elections were attacked, and the American people deserve all of the facts on what happened. If Attorney General Sessions was fired as a first step towards interfering in the Mueller investigation, then President Trump must be held accountable. Attorney General Steve Marshall: During his time as U.S. Attorney General, Jeff Sessions has been the standard-bearer for upholding the rule of law and fighting every day to make America safer. He has been a vital partner to state attorneys general, and to me personally, in dealing with violent crime and in strengthening our efforts to combat America’s opioid crisis. While his style was to work quietly behind the scenes, he made a powerful positive difference in rebuilding the confidence of prosecutors and law enforcement personnel across the nation—not just as U.S. Attorney General, but also as U.S. Senator and Alabama Attorney General. My staff and I will greatly miss Jeff’s leadership at the Department of Justice and we wish him all the best. Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan: A man of integrity, Jeff Sessions has led the Department of Justice with dignity and a firm commitment to the rule of law. His reputation as a dedicated public servant precedes his many years of honorable service to our nation. From his time as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, Alabama Attorney General, U.S. Senator, to the 84th Attorney General of the United States, Alabamians have strongly supported Jeff Sessions. …A true Alabama statesman, Jeff Sessions has been a warrior for President Trump’s conservative agenda. From enforcing our nation’s immigration laws, fighting opioid abuse to strongly supporting members of our law enforcement, Jeff Sessions has consistently made Alabama proud. His service can be most accurately summed up in our state’s motto: ‘We dare defend our rights.’ Unwavering and resolute, our country needs more public servants like Jeff Sessions. We are blessed and are stronger because of his humble sacrifices through his lifetime of service to Alabama and America.
Read Jeff Sessions’ resignation letter to Donald Trump
Less than 24 hours after the midterm elections, President Donald Trump on Wednesday asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign. Sessions submitted his resignation letter to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. Read the letter below:
Birmingham City Councilor Jay Roberson resigns in support of wife
Birmingham City Council member and President Pro Tem Jay Roberson has resigned from his post effective Sept. 1. Roberson made the announcement at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Lawson State Community College. “Today I announce that I am stepping down from the Birmingham City Council. My wife Niva has accepted a position with the Alabaster City Schools,” Roberson told the crowd at Lawson State, explaining this was a dream job for his wife and that they will be moving to the neighboring town of Alabaster, Ala. where his son will attend Thompson High School. “Being elected three times to represent the people of District 7 was the honor of a lifetime for me,” Roberson said in a news release. “My wife’s wholehearted support allowed me to have this opportunity. Now is a time for me to support her professional aspirations and do what’s right for my family.” Roberson, who represented District 7 longer than any of his predecessors, describes his time on the City Council as a labor of love. “I love the district, and I’m gratified to be leaving it even better than I found it,” he said. Some of Roberson’s noteworthy accomplishments include: Introducing 100 days of nonviolence Serving as a leading collaborator in bringing Red Mountain Park to District 7 Supporting Lawson State with an Academic Success Center Eliminating blighted areas Attempts to reach Roberson have been unsuccessful.
Former-mayor Wayne Rose resigns from Northport City Council
Less than two months after he took the oath of office, former Northport Mayor Wayne Rose has resigned his appointed position as a representative on the City Council. The Tuscaloosa News reports Rose was sworn in on May 7 and attended the following council meeting May 21. He was absent from both meetings in June and from their meeting Monday, when council President Jay Logan announced Rose’s resignation. Logan says Rose told the council that he had to prioritize spending time with his family and running the lumberyard he owns in Northport. The seat was last up for election in fall 2016, when Dennis Hambright defeated incumbent councilwoman Judy Hayes in a runoff. Hambright was sworn in that December, but died suddenly in May 2017. The council appointed Lee Boozer, a retired educator and football coach, to replace Hambright, and he served from July 2017 until this February, when he resigned, citing health concerns. Rose had previously served two non-consecutive terms on the City Council before he was elected mayor in 1988, where he served until 2000. When District 5 Councilman Jeff Hogg nominated Rose for the appointment, he said it would bring stability to District 1 and give the people a familiar face as their representative. Logan and Hogg both thanked Rose for his past and present service to Northport. Hogg told the residents of District 1, who are once again left without a representative on the City Council, that the other four councilmen and Mayor Donna Aaron would work hard to assist them as long as the seat remains vacant, but that they would fill the vacancy as soon as they could. State law allows the City Council 60 days after a seat is vacated to appoint a replacement councilman. If they do not make their own appointment in that timeframe, the decision will be passed to Gov. Kay Ivey, who has 30 days to make a decision. If the office remains vacant for more than 90 days, Probate Judge Hardy McCollum would call a special election to fill the seat. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
Former Ala. staffer, Trump Deputy Chief of Staff Rick Dearborn to step down
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Rick Dearborn, a former Alabama staffer, will step down early 2018 to pursue a career in the private sector, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly announced Thursday. Dearborn, who served as chief of staff for former U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, joined President Donald Trump‘s White House in January. There, he oversaw political operations, public outreach and legislative affairs and has been an integral part of Trump’s effort to manage relations on Capitol Hill. Well respected among Republican leadership and their aides, he also had previous executive branch experience, having served as Assistant Secretary of Energy for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. The Wall Street Journal reports, “Rick loyally served the president for two and a half years and brought tremendous energy to the White House staff,” Kelly said in a statement Thursday. “He’s a super guy and it breaks my heart to see him leave, but I look forward to his continued personal friendship and support for the president’s agenda.” Dearborn told Fox News that his departure is “bittersweet,” but he reportedly told White House officials he saw the final passage of the Republican tax reform bill as a finale for his time in the Administration. He will stay in the position for the first month or two of the next year.
Wetumpka mayor rescinds resignation after Kay Ivey rescinds state appointment
On Monday night, Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis announced his resignation in front of a large crowd during a Wetumpka City Council Meeting. Less than 24 hours later, he rescinded his resignation. Willis’ initial decision to resign was due his appointment to serve as Executive Director to Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering made by Gov. Kay Ivey. But according to WFSA, Ivey rescinded her appointment on Tuesday “stating Willis failed to disclose a legal matter while being considering” for the position. “Anyone seeking to serve in the Ivey Administration must be transparent,“ Ivey’s told WFSA in a written statement. “During the appointment process, Mayor Willis failed to disclose an important, and significant, legal matter which has now come to my attention.” Willis in turn rescinded his resignation as Wetumpka mayor. The City of Wetumpka released a statement Tuesday evening addressing the situation. “After further consideration, Mayor Willis is withdrawing the informal conditional resignation that was previously announced,” the statement read. “Mayor Willis has reconsidered and does not intend to submit a formal resignation. As per the handbook for Mayors and Councilmembers… a contingent resignation (or one effective on a given date) can be withdrawn at any time prior to the effective date or its acceptance by the council, whichever comes first. Neither such contingencies have occurred.” Wilis was elected to his third term as mayor in November 2016. He had applied to Executive Director of the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering having worked 50 years in the cosmetology and barbering industry.
Roy Moore’s campaign communications director, John Rogers, resigns
John Rogers, the communications director for Alabama GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore, resigned from his position on the campaign Wednesday. Campaign chairman Bill Armistead confirmed the news. “As we all know, campaigns make changes throughout the duration of the campaign, as do those working in the campaign,” Armistead said in a statement. “John made the decision to leave the campaign last Friday – any representations to the contrary are false – and we wish him well.” Armistead also said that effective immediately, Hannah Ford, who serves as Deputy Campaign Manager, would be the media contact for the final three weeks of the campaign. Rogers’ decision to leave, just weeks before the Dec. 12 special election, comes as Moore continues to draw criticism in the wake of The Washington Post’s explosive report on Thursday Nov. 9 with the accounts of four women who claim Moore sexually pursued them when he was in his 30s and they were in their teens. Moore vehemently denies the accusations.
State Superintendent Michael Sentance submits his resignation, effective immediately
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s Office has confirmed that State Superintendent Michael Sentance submitted his resignation to her office Wednesday morning. “Today, I received the resignation of State Superintendent of Education Michael Sentance. I do not take this situation lightly, and as President of the State Board of Education, I will ask the Board to accept his resignation,” said Ivey who serves as President of the Board of Education. “Over the past two years, Alabama has experienced far too many changes in state government. As with previous changes in leadership positions, we will use the pending resignation of the state superintendent as an opportunity to move forward and begin a new chapter in public education.” “I have spoken with Mr. Sentance, thanked him for his commitment to public service and education, and wished him well,” Ivey concluded. Sentance was named to the position last August. With less than a full year under his belt as the State Superintendent, he found himself on the firing line in July as the Alabama Board of Education began to question his performance. Sentance, who oversaw nearly 900 employees at the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE), was given a performance review by the state Board of Education in July, where in received low marks. In the months that followed, Sentance has found himself at the center of a debate as to whether or not he should be removed from his position. Many expected his firing to be eminent at an upcoming regular board meeting scheduled for Thursday. Sentance’s resignation is effective immediately. “I am humbled and appreciative of the opportunity to serve as state superintendent in Alabama,” Sentance said following his resignation. “There are many good things happening in public education in this state. My hope is that Alabama makes educating all children the state’s highest priority, allowing the state to make significant educational gains and truly becoming the jewel of the south that it has the ability to become.” The Alabama Policy Institute (API) calls Sentance’s resignation a major setback for education. “At API, we are saddened to hear that Michael Sentance was forced to resign as Alabama State Superintendent of Education. We see this as a massive setback for education in Alabama,” API said in a statement. “This is not about Sentance. This is about many individuals in our state who like their starting position on a last-place team. As a state, we have to change this mentality. If we do not, we will never improve, and we will have nobody to blame but ourselves.” Succession plans have yet to be determined.
Watch Robert Bentley’s entire resignation speech
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley announced his resignation Monday following allegations allegations he abused his powers to cover up an extramarital affair with a former top aide. Bentley’s resignation, effective immediately, came the same day impeachment hearings against the former governor began. Watch Bentley’s entire resignation speech below:
Robert Bentley resigns amid growing scandal
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has resigned following allegations he used state resources to cover up an affair he was having with one of his former aides. On Monday afternoon, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Bentley had been booked on two misdemeanor charges —one for failing to file a major contribution report and another for knowingly using campaign contributions for personal use. He plead guilty to both charges, each carried a $300 bond, and has been sentenced to 12 months of unsupervised probation. When asked at the Montgomery County Courthouse if he was guilty, Bentley responded, “Yes, sir.” Over the past few days, Bentley had been called on to resign by multiple state Party leaders, including Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh and the state Republican Party Steering Committee. Bentley is the fourth Alabama governor to step down or be forced out of office. Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey will be sworn in as Alabama’s second female governor and its first female Republican governor at 6 p.m. CT. This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates. Watch Bentley’s entire resignation speech below:
Robert Bentley says he won’t resign
During a Friday morning press conference, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley announced he has no plans of resigning. “I do not plan to resign,” said Bentley from the steps of the state capitol in Montgomery. “I have done nothing illegal. If the people want to know if I misused state resources, the answer is simply no, I have not.” On Wednesday, the Alabama Ethics Commission found probable cause the governor had violated both ethics law and campaign finance law. Bentley, 73, has long maintained his innocence. However, last spring he admitted making inappropriate remarks to his senior political adviser, Rebekah Caldwell Mason, who has since resigned. The admission came after former Alabama Law Enforcement Secretary Spencer Collier, a day after being fired by Bentley, accused the governor of having an affair with Mason and of interfering with law enforcement investigations. Bentley has denied both accusations. Following the news, twenty-three representatives signed articles of impeachment, accusing Bentley of willful neglect of duty and corruption in office. The impeachment investigation followed. On Friday, the Alabama House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to receive a report detailing the findings of the nearly year-long investigation. “Those who are taking pleasure in humiliating me, in shaming me and shaming my family, shaming my friends, well I really don’t understand why they want to do that,” Bentley said Friday morning. “It may be out of vengeance, it may be out of jealousy, it may be out of anger, it may be out of personal political benefit. I don’t know. But I would ask them to please stop.” The House of Representatives is scheduled to begin impeachment hearings on Monday.
