Commissioner Pete Conroy reads email urging return of survey to staff, asks for AG guidance

Commissioner Pete Conroy read an email he circulated to board members urging that the survey process be returned to Alabama Public Television's professional administrative staff and that the board follow the 2024 plan using the University of Alabama, Samford and Troy. Conroy said public trust would be best restored by using previously identified university partners and that any Attorney General findings about the relationship of the commission and foundation should be understood before further action.

Conroy told the board that, in light of the controversy, "there is a compelling reason to follow this excellent process that was originally established." He also said he was disappointed the board voted to move ahead. The email reading and Conroy's statement were used by opponents to argue the board should delay executing the contract until the AG's guidance and further staff involvement were resolved.