Can Kay Ivey Fire Admiral Kent Davis? w/ Joey Clark

1819 News: The Podcast

1819 News: The Podcast has a unique episode for you this week!

A few things have been getting under CEO Bryan Dawson’s skin lately. Naturally, he sat down with Joey Clark on his radio show News and Views, which airs on Montgomery's News/Talk 93.1, to air some of those concerns.

We thought the “radio rant” was too good not to share! Bryan and Joey's conversation begins with the discussion of Alabama State Health Officer Scott Harris' new appointment as the president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. The public health organization has ties to George Soros and focuses on important topics like “health equity” and “dismantling white supremacy.” This brings out Harris' true colors – we all knew they were there – to the surface and reminds us that he should have been fired years ago.

If you recall, Alabama was told Harris couldn't be fired because he was appointed by a board of health professionals and therefore did not serve at the pleasure of the governor. This situation was such a problem that bills were filed in the last three legislative sessions to give the governor the authority to fire the state health officer. Last session one of those bills finally passed.

That stands in stark contrast to a recent move made by Governor Ivey to use her “supreme executive power of this state” to unilaterally fire a different state agency head who was also appointed by a board, Rear Admiral Kent Davis, the director of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs.

Either Ivey had the authority to fire Scott Harris and refused, or she doesn't have the authority to fire state agency heads like Rear Admiral Kent Davis who are appointed by a board, but she did it anyway.

Bryan and Joey's discussion turns from Ivey’s actions to the lack of leadership in the Alabama House, Senate, and Governor’s Office, which creates an environment where special interests reign supreme.

The conversation brought into clear focus the reality that since the Alabama Speaker of the House has been under the heavy influence of political consultant Steve Raby, the House priorities have been an increased gas tax, medical marijuana, and several major pushes for full blown gambling. The last push for gambling included Medicaid expansion.

It’s unbelievable that these are the priorities of the Republican supermajority of a state House in the most conservative state in the nation!

Finally, the “radio rant” ends with harsh criticism of local elected leaders such as mayors, county commissioners, and city councilmen who desperately seek reasons for why they can't do what is right and necessary, and that will allow them to pass the buck. Whether its Haitian immigrants being dumped into their cities or pornographic grooming literature in the children's section of their library, local leaders’ mantra is too often the same: "Ain't nuthin' I can do!" Obviously, you’ll want to give this episode a listen!

Special thanks to Bluewater Broadcasting, News/Talk 93.1, and Joey Clark for allowing us to use the interview.

Special Note: Video was pulled from Joey Clark's YouTube page. Additionally, make sure to tune into News/Talk 93.1 when you are in Montgomery or listen online at newstalk931.com/listen-live/!