Your daily jolt: GPB producer resigns over hiring of Chip Rogers
News that former state Sen. Chip Rogers has been given an executive position at Georgia Public Broadcasting with a hefty starting salary of $150,000 has prompted the resignation of a longtime executive producer at the network.
Click here to read the resignation letter from Ashlie Wilson Pendley to GPB President and CEO Teya Ryan, sent to us this morning by Bryan Long of Better Georgia. Here’s the meat:
I know that you have faced a variety of challenges and difficult decisions in the last four years since you assumed leadership of GPB. I’ve witnessed four rounds of layoffs. I’ve watched the outsourcing of the sales staff, the IT helpdesk and most recently, Master Control operations. I have loyally accepted stagnant wages for the last five years, even while the cost of my benefits has increased- even in the times when furloughed- because I believed GPB was an organization that was worth the sacrifice and the hard work.
In December, it became public that GPB was hiring former Senator Chip Rogers to spearhead a new job growth and community development effort. I was shocked and curious about the sudden decision. Having been involved with coverage of 15 legislative sessions with the Lawmakers program, I followed the situation with interest. But interest turned to disgust this weekend after the AJC published Senator Rogers’ salary of $150,000. More than any other Executive Producer, more than many of the Vice Presidents- and all in a time when budget cuts are deep and the rank-and-file have been told there is no money.
I think it is unconscionable to create a position and compensate any individual in this manner during these difficult times. I am quite certain that considerable political pressure was brought to bear to make this a reality. I am disappointed that you felt this was GPB’s best course of action. While I might understand it to some extent, I cannot condone it and I cannot continue to stand idly by.
***
Up in Washington, during a conversation Tuesday afternoon about the debt ceiling and the ongoing budget battles, my AJC colleague Daniel Malloy asked U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, an Athens Republican, if his role in Congress is to pull the House Republican leadership to the right – given that he is often voting against their wishes and pushing a more conservative course.
Broun said his cause is far bigger, and tied the conversation to President Barack Obama’s inauguration Monday.
“I think my role is to uphold support and defend our Constitution,” he said. “… The Constitution I uphold and defend is the one I carry in my pocket all the time, the U.S. Constitution. I don’t know what Constitution that other members of Congress uphold, but it’s not this one. I think the only Constitution that Barack Obama upholds is the Soviet constitution, not this one. He has no concept of this one, though he claimed to be a constitutional lawyer.”
The most recent constitution for the now-defunct United Soviet Socialist Republic was ratified in 1977. Malloy notes. They don’t sound much like Obama’s inaugural address, but here are a few lines from the preamble :
The Great October Socialist Revolution, made by the workers and peasants of Russia under the leadership of the Communist Party headed by Lenin, overthrew capitalist and landowner rule, broke the fetters of oppression, established the dictatorship of the proletariat, and created the Soviet state, a new type of state, the basic instrument for defending the gains of the revolution and for building socialism and communism. Humanity thereby began the epoch-making turn from capitalist to socialism.
***
11Alive continues to draw on an automated statewide poll conducted on its behalf by SurveyUSA — this time on new gun legislation. Here’s a link to the video. The stats can be found here. MOE is +/- 4.3 percentage points. To sum up:
– Georgians would favor an a ban on assault weapons and limits on magazine capacity: 56 percent approve, 38 percent oppose, 6 percent undecided;
– They favor background check on all gun purchases, even private ones: 75-20-5
– They oppose state legislation to allow concealed weapons to be carried without permit: 80-17-3;
– They oppose legislation to allow guns to be carried into churches: 64-26-10;
– And they would oppose any legislation to allow guns to be carried on college campuses: 65-29-7.
***
Speaking of guns. This message from the state Senate Press Office was waiting on Twitter this morning:
We apologize for inappropriate tweets. Our account has been compromised & we’re working hard to solve the problem #hacked
What was the inappropriate message? This endorsement of a state with very few gun laws:
If I’m ever forced to move to New England, Vermont is the only acceptable state.
Here’s the link the tweet included.
***
The final leg of a special election to fill the vacancy left by state Rep. Sean Jerguson of Cherokee County is heating up. Republicans Scott Turner and Brian Laurens are headed for a runoff. This morning, a video surfaced on Facebook in which Laurens is stopped by a Holly Springs police officer for running a stop sign. Laurens can be heard saying – while the cop was writing the ticket – that he had been on the phone with Mayor Tim Downing to have the citation overturned.
Apparently things got testy, and the officer summoned his supervisor. From a second video:
***
The Gwinnett Post this morning reports that Bob Barr, the former Georgia congressman and Libertarian candidate for president, will represent DragonCon co-founder Ed Kramer on child molestation charges that were first filed in 2000:
Kramer, accused of having sexual contact with three teenage boys, was re-booked into the Gwinnett County Detention Center on Saturday after being extradited from Connecticut, where he violated conditions of his bond. Barr was out of the country and was unavailable for comment, but an administrative assistant confirmed that he was now representing Kramer.
***
The Washington Post has awarded three Pinocchios to an anti-gun violence group that attacked U.S. Rep. John Barrow for displaying his firearms in a 2012 campaign ad.
***
Also on the fact-checking front, the AJC’s Politifact Georgia today takes a look at a claim that “wind powers nearly 13 million homes across the country.”
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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100 comments Add your comment
Carol
January 23rd, 2013
12:42 pm
Bravo to Ashlie! Anyone with common sense knows this job is a buyoff. Chip has something on someone or vice versa.
NOT SURPRISED
January 23rd, 2013
12:43 pm
The Chip Rogers hiring has the marks of gov deal (lower case). how can Georgia improve it’s rep with this going on? Business as usual and nothing will be done about it.
Toot-n-Bell
January 23rd, 2013
12:45 pm
Isn’t Rogers the same one who held a senate meeting to discuss Obama’s alleged use of brainwashing to garner votes? I would have thought he’d slink away quietly after that bit o’ news made the national headlines. Anywho, bravo to Ashley for standing up to Ryan and her well paid friends (all ex-CNNers) who now populate the staff and management of GPB. As a former GPB staff member, I know first hand that there is a frightened air which permeates the hallways there and everyone (Ryan’s friends excepted) is running scared. Ashley did a great job leading GT and Lawmakers and it is GPB’s great loss that she now leaves. Maybe it’s time for (1) the Governor to replace Ryan and (2) listeners to stop giving hard earned money to this sham organization.
Redneck Rick
January 23rd, 2013
12:45 pm
Nary a mention about Congressman Doug Collins (R – GA 9th) now serving on the House Foreign Affairs committee and will likely have the chance to grill Secretary of State Clinton on Benghazi at 2 eastern?
yellowdog
January 23rd, 2013
12:49 pm
broun off his meds again?
Carol
January 23rd, 2013
12:51 pm
Bravo to Ashlie. It takes a lot of courage and conviction to quit in this economic climate. Everyone who is honest knows that Chip Rogers job is a buy off. Either he has something on someone or vice versa. .
td
January 23rd, 2013
12:51 pm
Church of the painful Truth
January 23rd, 2013
12:25 pm
@TD–I guess you have not gone down to the Twin Towers;this is where most of the State offices are located.Hate to bust your bubble on the total operations of state government,but it is at a level where services and efficency has left the building. You can cut and cut state budgets to the bone but sooner than later the affect of the actions will cause a total loss of services and employees who care.
The state budget hit rock bottom 3 years ago and has been increasing every year since as revenues rise in the state. I do not buy your thesis.
pat shearer
January 23rd, 2013
12:53 pm
Unconscionable, the person responsible for Chip’s hiring should have to pay his salary out of their own. I won’t be contributing this year now that I’m aware of this example of largess.
DJ Sniper
January 23rd, 2013
12:54 pm
TD, the term socialist is not interchangable with liberal or progressive. I know your puppet masters on the right have convinced you of this, but it’s simply not true.
Crystaalus
January 23rd, 2013
1:00 pm
Regarding GPB- I find it very disturbing that GPB would make a move like this. While I do not know the details of the hire, we are made aware of some of those details through a high-ranking and committed staff member of GPB, and in her private address to upper management, I am compelled to trust her. What are you thinking GPB? I expected more from an organization that is supposed to serve the public. It would be great to hear your side of the story…
Crystaalus
January 23rd, 2013
1:00 pm
Regarding GPB- I find it very disturbing that GPB would make a move like this. While I do not know the details of the hire, we are made aware of some of those details through a high-ranking and committed staff member of GPB, and in her private address to upper management, I am compelled to trust her. What are you thinking GPB? I expected more from an organization that is supposed to serve the public. It would be great to hear your side of the story…
Crystal
January 23rd, 2013
1:06 pm
I am appalled at the GPB story. Without knowing the whole story, I am compelled to believe Pendley’s statement because it was in a private letter to the Execs at GPB. Through her long-lasting service, she has shown commitment and passion, and I understand her frustration. More value has to be placed on employee satisfaction. It’s an important part of service and industry growth. With such a financial crisis in Georgia, how can we afford to create a GPB position with such a high salary, after four rounds of lay-offs in four years? It would be great to be a fly on the wall in the GPB Exec offices today! I wonder what do they TRULY have to say for themselves. I’m sincerely interested in knowing…
Mmmm Hmmm
January 23rd, 2013
1:10 pm
The only experience in broadcasting that Chip Rogers has was as the voice of a seedy online betting company. He has NEVER worked in broadcasting. What a lie.
Church of the painful Truth
January 23rd, 2013
1:11 pm
td–If that is the case(increase in revenue);why did Gov.Deal ask State Agencies last week to cut another 510 MILLION from their budget request for next fiscal year??? Again the lack of sound management in our state government has and will cause problems to the general public in the coming years.The vast majority of citizens have no idea how day to day operations are run.The only time they(public) have concern is when it affect them in service or the pocketbook.Oh and by the way the appoint of Rogers has nothing to do with GPB or sound management.It was a total payback favor to Rogers and helps the LT. Gov keep his power in the Senate. Another words” kill to birds with one stone”.
honested
January 23rd, 2013
1:14 pm
If only the Governor had had the cojones to foist chip off onto one of the various ‘private’ companies that have enriched their shareholders at the public trough, then the outrage would not be so expansive.
However, to place an individual who is so clearly incompetent at public service into an organization with no other reason to exist BUT PUBLIC SERVICE is an abomination.
And for those misguided individuals who see a ‘liberal bias’ at GPB, what is your take on nature, history and education. Those items are the meat at GPB. Apparently ‘truth’ has a ‘liberal bias’. Too bad for those who want to re-define reality.
Don Cook
January 23rd, 2013
1:19 pm
Bob Barr has been the attorney of record on Kramer’s case for quite a while. Is this really news?
David Granger
January 23rd, 2013
1:21 pm
Yes, the Chip Rogers hire was pretty disgusting. But the higher-ups always look out for each other, no matter how poorly-suited someone is for a job. We learned that back when ACOG was gearing up for the Olympics. It always “just happened” that the “best person for the job” was some VIP’s wife or daughter or brother, etc.
td
January 23rd, 2013
1:28 pm
Church of the painful Truth
January 23rd, 2013
1:11 pm
td–If that is the case(increase in revenue);why did Gov.Deal ask State Agencies last week to cut another 510 MILLION from their budget request for next fiscal year???
Easy answer. Go and look at the increased cost in providing insurance to the poor. Medicaid is taking money out of all other state services, The state is having to pull money out of Education and all other programs because the moochers refuse to pay for their own insurance.
Arlito
January 23rd, 2013
1:28 pm
For those pledging to withhold contributions to GPB, Public Broadcasting Atlanta is NOT affiliated with GPB. That’s WABE 90.1 FM and PBA30-TV. And they don’t hold programs with controversial topics like Frontline till after the kiddies have gone to bed.
Kris
January 23rd, 2013
1:30 pm
Governor Deal, (loosely term use) not known as a clever, Ethical or successful businessman.
And certainly for his lack of ability to make responsible decisions, as for chippy he needs to be FIRED on the spot .
Shady double dipping DEAL needs to be recalled or impeached for gross neglect of office.
God Bless America. God Bless President Barrack Obama.
By Shady 2014
Biden/Clinton (pick a Clinton 2016
Church of the painful Truth
January 23rd, 2013
1:42 pm
td— Good point on Medicaid.However,I still see a downturn in services and lack knowledgeable staff in State Government.But I also see it in other local government offices and private business. Maybe it is the sign of our times or I’m getting to old to understand what the hack is going on!!
Paul Broun: Obama Upholds Soviet Constitution, Not U.S. Constitution « Go to News!
January 23rd, 2013
1:49 pm
[...] Paul Broun (R-Ga.) told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Obama upholds the constitution of the Soviet Union: “The Constitution I uphold and [...]
honested
January 23rd, 2013
1:49 pm
td,
News Flash!
GA could just raise taxes to meet the service demands of the budget, like Civilized States.
Anyone surprised that the shell game of ignoring Medicaid costs will no longer be possible has not been paying attention!
Now to mention Congressman broun, everyone who has ever been to his office and received one of his ’stamp signed’ copies of the Constitution can attest to what a lame brained, terrifying, poor excuse for a Congressman he is.
His total lack of comprehension of the responsibility he has to Georgia Citizens has never been clearer.
GPBEmployee
January 23rd, 2013
1:50 pm
Ashlie Wilson is the bomb! I kinda knew her over there, and she was always someone to stand up for what she believed in.
People – Chip Rogers will be running GPB in 2 years or less. He’s the second highest paid person? Even more than their 2nd in command? It’s not hard to see whats going down…. Maybe Chip will fire all of Teyas cnn peopel.
Chip Rogers’ new job at GPB will cost almost $1M | Rural and Progressive
January 23rd, 2013
1:59 pm
[...] GPB Producer Ashlie Wilson Pendley has resigned following reports of Rogers’ $150K salary. Jim Galloway at the AJC covers the resignation. Share this:EmailPrintFacebookLinkedInRedditTwitterDiggGoogle [...]
Georgia , The "New Mississippi"
January 23rd, 2013
2:02 pm
These Georgia GOP Repukes never cease to amaze the nation.
curious
January 23rd, 2013
2:10 pm
td must not believe that either the State provides medicaid or the hospitals and local governments pick up the slack for indigent care.
Indigent care results when some just do not pay the bill or the person is truly indigent. A minimum wage salary isn’t going to provide much medical care these days.
Midwest Red
January 23rd, 2013
2:16 pm
I wouldn’t mind adopting the Soviet constitution.
Article 40. Citizens of the USSR have the right to work (that is, to guaranteed employment and pay in accordance wit the quantity and quality of their work, and not below the state-established minimum), including the right to choose their trade or profession, type of job and work in accordance with their inclinations, abilities, training and education, with due account of the needs of society.
Sounds good to me.
Weyman C. Wannamaker Jr.
January 23rd, 2013
2:20 pm
Gov. “It’s Good To Be The King” Deal has simply used a conduit long available in the corrupt history of this state by neutering a political liability with a showering of taxpayer money. As evidenced here this is a two-fold gain on paper for the Guv as many self-proclaimed conservatives view GPB as a liberal organization that is not worthy of taxpayer money. Be that as it may the voluntary donations will go down as eventually the tax dollars do as well.
That money shower by the way is much more than $150K plus benefits. Georgia’s part-time legislators earn full-time credits in the state employee pension plan and if Mr. Rogers spends only 2 years at GPB he will have amassed 12 years credit using $150K as the base salary as opposed to the legislative $17K. And of course we also have the cost of a special election since the deal was worked out after Mr. Rogers was reelected.
For the life of me I don’t see how anyone could consider themselves a fiscal conservative and endorse this deal. Regardless of politics there is right and wrong and I applaud Ms. Pendley on her stance and hope her exit is to another opportunity.
Another comment
January 23rd, 2013
2:20 pm
I can’t wait for Sally Yates or the FDIC to file Bank Fraud charges against Chip and his Congessman partner for their roach motel loan. . They have been knocking them off a fewer at a time. The FBI told me that they were prosecuting everyone reconsidered for a banks failure, either banker or person accepting the bad loan.
Mike Bell 790
January 23rd, 2013
2:23 pm
People of Cherokee County, do not validate Brian Laurens’ delusions of grandeur.
R U Kidding Me?
January 23rd, 2013
2:24 pm
TD:
Anyone who keeps up with this blog realizes that you have ZERO credibility. When the facts don’t support your claims, you scream “liberal” or “socialist”. Anyone who would defend Chip Rogers has no moral or ethical backbone. If this state is so bad, if this country is so bad, if all of your constitutional rights are being violated or seized by the government, why don’t you get the hell out and move to some 3rd world utopia where you can be the King of your own kingdom? Delta is ready when you are. Go see how corrupt 3rd world countries really are. And see how many homeless, hungry, disease ridden people wish there was such a thing as Medicade. The strength of a society can be measured by how well it takes care of those who are truly in need. Be sure to send a postcard from Equador, or Costa Rica
Kris
January 23rd, 2013
2:43 pm
Remember that 3 million dollar loan that Rogers and Graves took out on the no tell motel in Calhoun. That waS NOT the repaid.
They should garnish 100% of Rogers (now that chipper has a blood money job, THANKS TO HIS CORNIE CROOKED DEAL. When rogers takes over will he hire Natie boy?
God Bless America. God Bless President Barrack Obama.
By Shady 2014
Biden/Clinton (pick a Clinton 2016
clem
January 23rd, 2013
2:55 pm
if weyman wanamaker correct on converting legislative service to full time employee service is correct, then that needs to be fixed. part time, half-arse work, should not be credited with full time service. tea party folks need to jump on that one. even td should be opposed. talk about moochers.
dww44
January 23rd, 2013
3:20 pm
Reading these comments helps me understand how someone as reactionary as Paul Broun gets elected in the first place. Paul Brouns when you’ve an electorate that has long forgotten why, if they ever knew, the Founding Fathers didn’t want religion and politics to mix it up when it came to actual governance. How wise they were.
And those who are going to make GPB pay for this are barking up the wrong tree. As annoying as the incessant pledge drives are, as well as the increasingly weak programming, one only has to look to the legislature and the governor. This is what happens when we have a one party state. We are all the poorer for that.
GOP Rep: ‘The Only Constitution That Barack Obama Upholds Is The Soviet Constitution’ | The Black Informant
January 23rd, 2013
4:01 pm
[...] Constitution, despite his previously being a constitutional law professor, Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Rather, he said, the president upholds the constitution of our old [...]
DJ Sniper
January 23rd, 2013
4:57 pm
I just read the article about Paul Broun and his comment about the Soviet constitution. I guess somebody forgot to inform this fool that the last Soviet constitution was ratified in 1977 and disappeared when the Soviet Union crumbled.
GOP: “Facts? We don’t need no stinking facts!”
Bubba
January 23rd, 2013
5:54 pm
A fat cop drunk on trivial power and a fat candidate drunk on ambition – a match made in hell.
Rep. Paul Broun says Obama upholds the Soviet constitution Dark Politricks
January 23rd, 2013
6:08 pm
[...] think my role is to uphold support and defend our Constitution,” Broun told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday [...]
Not Another Dime
January 23rd, 2013
6:43 pm
TSplost – failure and rightly so
A Governor that left D.C. as one of the most corrupt.
Lottery Board Member resignation.
An unwanted dome being built against the citizens will.
GPB isn’t getting another dime from me, quit sending the pleas.
RECALL DEAL. or just pray like the probation “counselors” in Hall County.
GOP Congressman: ‘The Only Constitution Barack Obama Upholds Is The Soviet Constitution’ | The New Civil Rights Movement
January 23rd, 2013
7:12 pm
[...] is the one I carry in my pocket all the time, the U.S. Constitution,” Rep. Broun told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I don’t know what Constitution that other members of Congress uphold, but it’s not this [...]
GOP Congressman: ‘The Only Constitution Barack Obama Upholds Is The Soviet Constitution’ « Radical Right Thugs: assassins of gay soul and spirit
January 23rd, 2013
7:16 pm
[...] is the one I carry in my pocket all the time, the U.S. Constitution,” Rep. Broun told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I don’t know what Constitution that other members of Congress uphold, but it’s not this [...]
American Aceldama ...blood on the plow | GOP Rep. Paul Broun Says Obama Upholds the Soviet Constitution, Doesn’t Specify Which One
January 24th, 2013
12:43 am
[...] Paul Broun (R-Ga.) said on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution‘sJim Galloway. “I think the only Constitution that Barack Obama upholds is the Soviet constitution, not [...]
Randolph Phillips
January 24th, 2013
12:54 am
I find it hard to believe an anti-firearm poll with those figures accurately reflects all Georgia. Inside the 285 perimeter maybe, but not Georgia.
I’m also happy to have a conservative producer at Georgia Public Broadcasting. Chip Rogers was a conservative Senator who fought illegal immigration for years in the State Senate, and i am gratgeful to him for doing so. I hope and expect him to be a good influence at GPB.
Candidate Brian Laurens would be well advised not to spend too much money in his campaign for the Ga. House after trying to get his traffic ticket quashed by the Mayor. I’m fairly convinced he will not win the race.
And finally, Congressman Paul Broun of Athens deserves applause for standing with our US Constitution, while President Obama appears to look for ways to ignore it and even use “community organizing” to amend the Constitution.
Southern Republican Gentleman Accuses Obama Of Upholding ‘The Soviet Constitution’ « The Daily Commune
January 24th, 2013
9:07 am
[...] AJC Share this:TwitterFacebookTumblrRedditStumbleUponLike this:LikeBe the first to like [...]
bblawblaw
January 24th, 2013
10:34 am
Really, this is a million dollar fiasco. $500K for the special election, $300K for the program funding that Rogers has been promised and $150K for his salary as a radio producer– a position Rogers has never previously held at any media company. I hope that people not only call for his and Teya Ryan’s resignations but that they look deeper into how and why something like this could happen. Why would Ryan hire a bozo like Rogers? Why did the Gov pressure her to do it? Could Ryan have been told that if she didn’t give him a producer job the Governor would give Rogers her job, make Rogers the president? And even so, that’s not a good enough reason. Ryan should have been as brave and Ms Pendley, if that’s the case and stood up against that kind of manipulation. Was there different exertion on GPB? Financial exertion? What percentage of the GPB budget is funded with tax dollars? Where is the line between pledge donations and tax dollars? How much control does the legislature have over the budget and therefore the content of the airwaves? But again, Ryan should have stood up against her politial foes and done the right thing– refused this appointment. Also, why did Deal want Rogers out of the Senate so badly? Both Deal and Rogers are political professionals. Surely they understood that an appointment like this ran the risk of public outrage? What purpose gave them enough reason to run that risk?
GPBEmployee
January 24th, 2013
12:33 pm
There is more…. soooooooo much more to this story that will come out in the next few days….. this is a story about corruption and political influence that goes right to the top.
vel
January 24th, 2013
2:02 pm
wow, nice to see that Rep. Broun has no problem in bearing false witness. Conservative Christians best get busy to get the blasphemer out.
GOP Congressman: Obama Only Upholds The Soviet Constitution
January 24th, 2013
2:10 pm
[...] and gentleman, Congressman Paul Broun: Up in Washington, during a conversation Tuesday afternoon about the debt ceiling and the [...]
Puerile Pedant
January 24th, 2013
2:54 pm
Cherokee County is fast becoming North Metro’s version of Clayton County.
Nice symmetry. Balance the left-wing crooks on the southside with the right-wing crooks on the north.