Mike Evans of Cumming has served on the powerful board for five years. Commissioner Gena Abraham, the hand-picked choice of Gov. Sonny Perdue to lead the troubled agency, has been at the helm for five months.

“It’s a sad day,” said David Doss, a former Floyd County commissioner who represents the 11th Congressional District on the state board. He also previously served as chairman of the transportation board. “It’s a loss to the board, but under the circumstances, it was the best thing to do,” Doss added.

Evans said the relationship blossomed over the last month or so, and that he approached the board’s vice chairman to decide how to

Gena Abraham

handle the matter. The board discussed the situation for almost two hours Thursday morning before Evans announced his resignation.

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and House Speaker Glenn Richardson are expected to convene a meeting of the state legislators to choose a replacement from Evans’ Ninth Congressional District.

Evans narrowly won reappointment in February after casting the deciding vote to put Abraham at the helm instead of Richardson’s choice of state Rep. Vance Smith, R-Pine Mountain.

Rep. John Meadows, R-Calhoun, who supported Evans in his re-election bid, said he expects to see the DOT board vote to fire Abraham.

“Love is a funny thing, and the good news is that (Evans and Abraham) are both single,” Meadows said. “The bad news is that the DOT will probably end up losing two good people over this.”

Abraham was one of the people “who helped uncover all the garbage going on at the DOT,” he said.

In retaliation for supporting Evans, Richardson stripped Meadows and Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ranger, of their leadership positions. Meadows lost his positions as vice chairman of the Natural Resources & Environment Committee and as secretary of the Insurance Committee.

Graves lost his position as a House “Hawk” and was kicked out of his prime-space Capitol office.

The board took no action regarding Abraham on Thursday, and Doss said it “is not appropriate to discuss that, yet.” A special called meeting is set for 11 a.m. Monday.

Evans’ sudden departure adds to the tumult at the department, which has a $2 billion annual budget.

Last week Perdue announced he had authorized an outside audit of the DOT after a preliminary study found that the state has promised about $1 billion more in transportation contracts than it can afford.

Evans and Abraham had outlined the fiscal problems last week in a joint news conference. He said Thursday that their relationship grew “over the last month or so” as the two worked together.

“I have grown to admire and respect her more and more every day,” he said.

Doss described Evans as a good friend who stood with him to implement changes in the GDOT starting when Doss chaired the board in 2004 — but said department operations will not be affected by the resignation.

“We have 5,700 dedicated employees who are going to continue to get out and do a good job for this state,” he said. “We’re going to get up tomorrow and continue to tackle the monumental challenges we face.”

Staff Writer Diane Wagner contributed to this report.

MIKE EVANS’ STATEMENT TO THE STATE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

From the Georgia DOT

The following statement was made at Thursday’s meeting of the State Transportation Board by Chairman Mike Evans in announcing his resignation: “In the past five months, I have worked closely with Commissioner Abraham to work towards change within the Department. Over the course of those five months, I have grown to admire her and respect her more and more every day. Her sense of integrity and work ethic is well known throughout state government and I can see why.

“Over the last month or so we have grown to care for each other more than on a professional level, she became my friend. As our friendship developed, we realized that there was the possibility of something more than friendship. At this point we met with the Vice-Chairman, Garland Pinholster, to discuss and determine the best direction and concluded that it was best to also inform the Board, which was done in Executive Session yesterday.

“DOT Policy does not permit relationships other than professional or friendship within the direct chain of command. As Chairman of this Board, I strongly believe that I should be the model for respect and adherence to policy that I wish to see in all GDOT employees, especially with the challenges that we face. In doing so, I must therefore tender my resignation today as Chairman and a member of the Georgia Department of Transportation Board.

“I have served as a member of this Board for five years and it has been my honor and privilege to do so as a representative for District 9.

“My heart is heavy today because I know that in tendering my resignation, I am also disappointing a great number of people who have supported me throughout the years, in particular, during my re-election to the Board this year. There are those who suffered great losses in support of me. I will be eternally grateful for their support. I will spend the rest of my days trying to restore their trust and in gaining their forgiveness for having stepped down at this point in my term.

“I want to thank my colleagues on the Board who have been a support to me as well. As I leave my seat and return to my daily routine, I will still remain an advocate for systemic reform for Transportation in Georgia. It is still a worthwhile and noble cause that I will always believe in.

“To the employees of the department, I have said how great they are and what dedicated public servants they are. I hope the board and senior staff will honor their service by doing everything they can to give them the department they deserve.

“To the board, I hope you will continue the momentum and change that I have been pushing for the last five years, and that has accelerated over the last five months.

“To the cities, counties and individuals whose dedicated support helped me win re-election I apologize for my untimely departure and will never forget their loyal support.

“As always, I am honored to serve the people of the 9th District and the state of Georgia.