MOBILE, Ala. ( WKRG ) — Veterans around the Gulf Coast say they’re backing the head of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs as Alabama Governor Kay Ivey tries to oust him.
This past week Ivey asked retired Rear Admiral Kent Davis to resign , alleging Davis mismanaged grant funding. Davis refused to step down, saying he did nothing wrong and continues to work for veterans. Now local vets are organizing a bus trip to Montgomery as the Veteran’s Affairs board meets this Tuesday.
Air Force Veteran Bill Lewis says he’s seen improvement in mental health services under the commissioner’s tenure.
“Everything about the mental health department. You have a problem. You just call them and they take care of it” said Lewis outside a Mobile Church. It’s a sentiment shared by Navy veteran and veteran advocate Pete Riehm.
“[Davis] has worked tirelessly and selflessly for the veterans. He has made a difference. His record of achievement is demonstrable. I mean, he’s put veteran service officers all around the state,” said Riehm. He says Governor Ivey is making a bad call.