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."
Friday, May 24 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:06:52 GMT
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
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An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
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Friday, May 24 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:32:57 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
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In-depth reporting by the Druid Hills High School student newspaper on DeKalb's accreditation controversy landed the head of SACS as the school's commencement speaker on Friday.
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Friday, May 24 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:50:02 GMT
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
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