Today's election of a new chairman for the Wake County board of commissioners makes last week's election of a new school board chairman boring by comparison.
After being deadlocked for more than an hour, the Republicans took advantage of a potty break by Betty Lou Ward to elect Tony Gurley as the new chairman. The Republicans hailed the election while the Democrats cried foul.
Democrats hold a 4-3 edge among the commissioners. But outgoing chairman Harold Webb has missed several meetings, including today's affair, because of a stroke.
Without Webb, the board was deadlocked 3-3 after an hour of voting. If the vote had stayed that way, Webb would have stayed on as chair until the issue was resolved.
But things changed today when Ward stepped out of the room to use the restroom without apparently requesting a recess. In her absence, the Republicans moved for a vote that saw Gurley win by a 4-2 margin.
UPDATE
The vote that elected Gurley came after dozens of procedural votes in which the Republican refused to move past the election to other matters or to hold a recess.
Changed to reflect that Gurley's election was a 4-2 because Ward's absence was considered a vote for him.
You can watch the meeting live online as they hold yet another vote on picking Ward of Paul Coble to be vice chair by clicking on this page.
A midnight motion to recess the meeting until 10 a.m. Wednesday failed on a 3-3 vote with Democrats voting yes and Republicans voting no.
It's approaching 1 a.m. and Norwalk has given out his cell phone number for people to talk with him during the 2 1/2 minutes between votes. Former Commissioner Phil Jeffreys was the first caller. Then Norwalk got a call from WTVD and proceeded to give an in meeting interview.
The commissioners voted 5-1 at 2:15 a.m. to adjourn the meeting until 10 a.m Wednesday after Norwalk cited health issues because he hadn't had his insulin shot.
Gurley, who initially suggested getting insulin delivered from an all-night pharmacy, was the lone no vote. He said he voted no because Norwalk did not agree to skip Wednesday's meeting in case Webb attends.
Click here for Tuesday's updated online story.
Comments
Do you think Bets is asking
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 15:32 — rr77rr99Do you think Bets is asking Santa for some Depends this Christmas? She's not EVER going to the bathroom ever again! LOL
"After being deadlocked for
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 14:00 — user12345"After being deadlocked for more than an hour, the Republicans took advantage of a potty break by Betty Lou Ward to elect Tony Gurley as the new chairman"
.....and that is why women are not suited for politics
Actually
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 15:25 — TrailerParkGirlif my husband is an example that is not the case. Betty Loo just had bad timing.
When dealing with an
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 10:38 — changewcpssWhen dealing with an unreasonable situation, you occasionally need to resort to out of the box thinking. Congrats Tony!
I can't wait for our first joint meeting
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 03:17 — JTedescoAnd you guys thought our meeting was long and loaded with drama. From the 1st to the 7th - what a week it's been.
Compared to this subterfuge,
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 08:40 — red_balloonCompared to this subterfuge, the new school board members conducted themselves honorably. Keep the momentum going into the 12/15 meeting and beyond.
CC behavior
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 07:53 — supportwcpssMr. Tedesco,
I assume you will admonish the CC for their underhanded behavior in electing a new chair. I assume your group would never take that approach.
I also hope you listened to all the speakers at the meeting last week.
I want to be there!
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 07:48 — louiselee44When is the next joint meeting? Better pack a lunch...and supper...and...well, who knows?! :^)
And a blanket
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 12:03 — SDR256:P
For those of you who missed
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 23:33 — CaryCurmudgeonFor those of you who missed it, Stan Norwalk used some of the time between votes to read your blog comments. Dadof3, he really liked yours.
Still going...
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 22:28 — louiselee44Is anyone else watching this? I'm cracking up! They keep voting every 2-3 minutes on the vice chair. Of course it comes out 3 to 3 every time, so they go back to square one.
Any bets on how long they'll hold out? (Keung, what time did they start on item #2 - election of vice-chair?)
Holy Cow
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 22:52 — TrailerParkGirlNow to pass the time they are talking about the article on Ron and discussing how they can watch the 11 news.
Funny stuff. Who will give
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 22:49 — woodstockFunny stuff. Who will give in so Coble can take the vice chair seat?
Trivial Pursuit
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 22:47 — shank56Betty Lou is playing "do you know" with everyone.
Did you hear Norwalk read an internet posting talking about the despicable act the Republicans pulled along with a reference to them being "scum" and filth. That set Gurly off a bit.
I gotta turn in...
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 22:57 — louiselee44I heard Gurley chastising Stan about his inappropriate (I thought he said "obscene") language in a meeting that is being viewed by the public. I didn't hear what Stan was saying though. Is that what you're referring to?
Yes. The exchange
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 06:09 — shank56Yes. The exchange happened shortly after 10:00. However, the language I heard was not "obscene" , IMO- certainly nothing worse than any kid can hear on regular TV these days!
I'd have to doublecheck but
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 22:36 — KeungHui (author)I'd have to doublecheck but we're easily into hour four by now. They had agreed to finish the agenda before getting back to the vice chair.
Harold Webb Question
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 23:08 — g88ky07What happens with Harold's seat, or did I miss that, does it just sit idle, assuming he's not able to return? Or is there a provision for this type of thing that it be filled by someone else?
For now, the Democrats are
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 23:16 — KeungHui (author)For now, the Democrats are waiting for Webb to return. But at some point Webb may choose to resign the seat. With a 3-3 deadlock, you can expect the pressure for Webb to return or for someone to take that seat will increase.
Thank you sir
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 23:24 — g88ky07You're the man in the know.
Interesting question
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 20:41 — Bob_SconceSo, the tactic of waiting until somebody goes to the bathroom is really tacky. But, this was, by far, the most significant thing on their agenda. How long can the Commissioners go on with an absentee chairman?
I think they were just
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 21:10 — CaryCurmudgeonHere's one case where stall tactics did not pay off.
dozens of procedural votes
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 20:35 — AngelaWis that kinda like a "fill-o-bust-er"?
This is a riot
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 20:49 — g88ky07I needed a laugh tonight and this story took care of it. Now I'll squeeze one off! Ooops, I meant the charmin!
I guess it was a Potty-Line vote
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 20:28 — BlawgDawgI bet this one has 200 poots - I mean posts - by tomorrow morning.
Wake County politics.....in
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 18:17 — AngelaWWake County politics.....in the cr*pper.
(hope nobody reports me ;p )
Tax me Tony
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 17:48 — shank56Tony and Ron can now lead the charge to change and improve WCPSS. You want the drop out rate reduced and F&R scores improved? You want high level courses at every school ? (AP. AG, etc.)
The perfect storm leadership is now in place to stand before cameras and promise all parents and students that they will make it happen. No matter the cost. I can live with that.
Everything's going down the
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 17:45 — red_balloonEverything's going down the toilet in Wake county... education, democracy, ...
Well, I'm flush with
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 18:04 — CaryCurmudgeonWell, I'm flush with excitement. Brings a new meaning to the phrase "Yes we Can."
hahahahahahahahahahahahahah
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 18:13 — J8307200hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahah!!!
all's fair
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 17:41 — loriacIf the tables were turned, what would the others have done... the same thing I'm sure.
I think you are correct
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 22:25 — TrailerParkGirlI think you are correct that shoe on the other foot, it would have gone down in the same manner.
That point will be not be mentioned by the losing side when indignantly crying foul in the case of the crappy coup though. That's politics. Ready the cheese.
And
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 17:48 — supportwcpssyou would have been screaming at the top of your lungs. Call a foul and foul and don't have double standards.
...then again
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 18:09 — Dadof3Amateur hour and all that. That sword swings every direction.
You shouldn't be caught with your pants down just outside a CC meeting, I suppose...
LOL! that wouldn't be
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 18:21 — CaryCurmudgeonLOL! that wouldn't be constitutional!
What others are reporting
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 19:06 — Dadof3I hear the Indy asked Stan Norwalk about the matter and what he plans to wear to the next meeting. "Depends…"
Sorry; couldn't resist.
bwahahahaha!!
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 21:55 — petehsbwahahahaha!!
most likely
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 17:52 — loriacbut doesn't change my point
some cheese w/ that whine?
Wow
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 17:20 — supportwcpssYou can't get much more sleazy and underhanded then that. Oh,,never mind, they were within the 'law'. Ignore the spirit of the rules.
Can't wait to hear ya'll defend this process.
Using the rules to one's
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 19:54 — woodstockUsing the rules to one's advantage is not sleazy or underhanded; I prefer to think of is as astute. However, Betty Lou Ward has some answering to do to her constituents. It is her job to know the rules. If anyone needs to defend their actions, it is she.
Congrats Chairman Gurley!
she picked a bad time to go
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 20:38 — CaryCurmudgeonshe picked a bad time to go with the flow.
Not I
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 17:47 — Dadof3Were they in a tree fort when they did this?
ROFL!!!!
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 16:55 — AngelaW*gasp*....it's the potty conspiracy......
...
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 16:23 — SideburnsAlways pee before you leave. Lesson learned, I'm sure.
Congrats Mr. Gurley.