The Department of Veterans Affairs has fired the director of the central Alabama VA. The department announced on Oct.6 that it was beginning the process of terminating James Talton as director of the Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System. It announced Friday that he had been officially removed after allegations of neglect of duty were substantiated. U.S. Representative Martha Roby of Montgomery says those who presided over misconduct and negligence in the Central Alabama VA must be held accountable. She says she doesn't expect Talton to be the last one fired.
Ebola Scare
Montgomery City leaders have been reviewing last week's Ebola scare and how emergency personnel responded to the event. Last Friday, a woman complained of being sick while at a Montgomery eye physician on Zelda Road. There was confusion over whether her son had just returned from Nigeria, so she was transported to Baptist hospital by ambulance using an isolation unit. Mayor Todd Strange says the episode revealed a need for more specialized equipment. The incident turned out to be a false alarm, but Mayor Strange and first responders say they are grateful for the opportunity to practice the protocols for such an event.
Amendment Four
Alabama voters will decide Nov. 4th whether to give new protections to public schools against unfunded mandates enacted by the Legislature. Amendment Four requires that at least two-thirds of the Legislature must pass a law that causes city and county boards of education to collectively spend more than $50,000 in local funds if the state is not going to pay for the increased expense. Currently, that must be done by a majority vote. The executive director of the Alabama Association of School Boards, Sally Howell, says the two-thirds margin is a protection that Alabama voters gave to cities and counties with a constitutional amendment in 1999, and it is time school systems got the same protection. The Business Council of Alabama and the Alabama Farmers Federation are supporting Amendment Four.
Transgender Discrimination
A federal investigation found Army officials discriminated against a transgender employee who underwent a sex change while working at an Alabama installation. The Office of Special Counsel says Tamar Lusardi of Huntsville suffered gender identity discrimination as she transitioned from male to female in 2010. Lusardi was working as a civilian software quality assurance specialist at the Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center at the time. The review says the Army restricted Lusardi from using the women's restroom among other incidents. The Office of Special Counsel says the Army has agreed to train workers to prevent future discrimination.