State representatives react to Bentley plea, resignation
Monday, Gov. Robert Bentley resigned from office. Local state representatives were invited by the “Franklin County Times” to share their thoughts on the situation. Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow and Sen. Larry Stutts responded. Their statements follow:
Stutts: “I believe when one is in a position of leadership, they are entrusted with an additional level of responsibility. In any decision three questions must be asked. Is it legal? Is it moral? Is it ethical? If the answer to all of these questions is not yes, then that special level of trust and responsibility has been violated.
“I have confidence that Gov. Ivey will answer yes to these questions in everything that she does. I look forward to working with her for the remainder of her term in office.”
Morrow: “During my first term in the legislature, this exact same thing happened. Gov. Guy Hunt was removed from office, and Gov. Jim Folsom replaced him. As a matter of fact, this is third governor I’ve served under, out of six, that either went to prison or pleaded guilty or was found guilty of a criminal offense. I certainly don’t celebrate over anybody who has careers like these three individuals did ending up like they have. Gov. Hunt was a good man. He was caught up in the politics in Montgomery, and he suffered the consequences. Same with Don Siegelman, and now Robert Bentley.
“Let me say this about Robert Bentley. When he came to office, he was a friend of mine. I knew him and Dianne very well. We went on trips together. He was a good person. When Rebekah Mason came in his life, she completely changed Robert Bentley. Her evil agenda took over his mind. He has lost his family, he has lost his friends, he has lost his reputation, he has lost his health, and now he’s lost his job. That’s very sad. I’m sad for Robert Bentley. I’m sad he allowed his life to spiral down to this point.
“What he’s experiencing is simply the cost of bad choices he’s made in his life. If you make bad choices, then bad consequences will follow, and that’s what he’s now experiencing.
“It’s a sad day in Alabama. I just hope our new governor – Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey has now been sworn in – I just hope we can move forward and somehow begin addressing the very serious problems our state is facing. I pledge to work with Gov. Ivey to that end.”
