Print this story |
E-mail story |
This story has 8 comments | Add your own |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
Popwell resigns as registrar chairman
Published Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Bill Popwell has resigned as chairman of the Chilton County Board of Registrars, at the request of Gov. Bob Riley's office.
Popwell said he received a letter from one of the governor's legal advisors informing him that his resignation would be effective May 30.
"I don't know why, and I haven't talked to Governor Riley," said Popwell, 83, who has served as board chairman for about five and a half years.
Popwell contacted the legal advisor's office and said he couldn't resign on May 30 for two reasons -- he was in the process of posting address changes in a precinct and needed to complete that precinct, and he had planned to visit Washington, D.C. from May 29 through June 2.
"I offered to resign on June 15," he said. "They re-sent the letter, and I signed it and sent it back."
Popwell indicated he would have preferred the governor speak with him directly rather than sending a letter via an advisor. He said Riley knows him on a first-name basis, as "Bill."
"If he doesn't want me to fulfill this office, I don't want his appointment," Popwell added.
Allen Caton, a Chilton County commissioner and member of the state executive committee for the Republican Party, received a letter from the appointment secretary of Riley's office asking him to send recommendations for the job. Caton complied.
"I hate losing Mr. Popwell," Caton said in a phone interview. "He has done an excellent job in the Board of Registrars office."
The governor will reappoint a chairman but is not expected to do so until at least July because he is currently out of the country on an industrial recruiting trip.
Popwell, who had heart surgery in December 2008, said he was doing well.
"I'm proud of my health, and it did not interfere with me doing me job," he said.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?
Comments
Posted by carol (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 4:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why do you say that................just asking
Posted by shenley (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's tacky of Riley to do that without talking to Mr. Popwell personally. He should have talked to him and have given him a reason for asking for his resignation. I sure won't shed any tears when Riley's term is up.
Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm interested in knowing why he might be indicted, as well, KW.
I’m not a fan…but I am a state employee so I have to keep some of my opinions and suspicions to myself. You’ve got my curiosity going here! ☺
Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's very interesting. I'm gonna do a little research and poking around......
Thanks, KW!
Posted by rmims404 (Roger Mims) on June 24, 2009 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This goober we call our "govna" sporting a slicked down just for men hairdoo and a southern drawl has stepped on my last nerve. He needs to have a little backbone and speak to someone face to face. Only a coward let's his "legal advisor" deliver the bad news in a letter. Just my opinion folks.
Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on June 24, 2009 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sorry to see Mr. Popwell treated so shabbily. He is one of the most dedicated public servants (and best all-around persons) we have ever been privileged to know.
Posted by shenley (anonymous) on June 25, 2009 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If I were Mr. Popwell, I would not resign without some explanation as to why.
Posted by KatherineReece (anonymous) on June 25, 2009 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If someone asks you to resign ... is it still resigning? Riley didn't handle this well at all and I'd love to know the reason he suddenly thought Mr. Popwell wasn't doing his job well.
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)