GEMA Head’s Fate In Further Question After Deal Drops Defense

“We don’t just simply say you go take the blame with you. I don’t believe that’s the way to operate,” said Deal Thursday, two days after the metro area was brought to a near standstill by 2 inches of snow.

Deal maintained his defense of English as recent as Monday.

“Charley English has served our state very well for a long period of time. He openly acknowledges he made a mistake in this instance. I think that most of us in our lives have made mistakes, probably not as obvious as maybe this one was,” Deal said. “But he is conducting himself as I would have expected him to conduct himself after this announcement.”

But Tuesday, the governor was asked if he still supports English after emails between English, GEMA staff and the governor’s office show English had a flip attitude about the storm despite growing concern from government and agency officials.

“Well, I don’t think in fairness to anybody I should discuss what are personnel matters with the media at this point in time, so I hope you’ll respect my opinion on that,” Deal said. 

Deal wouldn’t say anything further on English’s fate as head of GEMA.

English has been under fire over his handling of Tuesday’s snowstorm, namely for not opening the GEMA operation center until hours into the storm and after highways were already gridlocked.

English has admitted he made a “terrible error in judgment” over not recommending the governor act sooner.

Asked if Deal stood by his earlier defenses of the embattled agency head, Deal was noncommittal.

“We are reviewing the situation,” the governor said. “We’ve done internal reviews, and we will continue those internal reviews, but it’s not appropriate to discuss personnel matters with [the media].”

Deal has ordered a full review of the state’s handling of last week’s storm.

When asked about Deal’s most recent comments about English, a GEMA spokesperson said the agency is focusing on fixing the state’s response to future storms.