We outlined at some length last week our concerns about local Republican Party chairman Kathy Page’s plans to hold the meeting of her party’s executive committee in secret, without allowing other Republicans, the public, or press in to hear or observe.
About two dozen members of the executive committee did meet, and ultimately decided, by acclamation, to appoint Haw River mayor Kelly Allen as the newest county commissioner.
The meeting lasted less than 20 minutes; no one else was nominated, and the meeting ended quickly with little fanfare.
The remaining four commissioners – who are, coincidentally, all Republicans – are mandated by state law to appoint the designee of the executive committee to become their fifth colleague on the board of commissioners. And they appear set to do so on Monday, December 2.
Unfortunately, in our judgment, however, Allen will start her new role with a cloud hanging over her – and it’s not one of her own making.
Rather, the secretive manner in which her nomination was handled – unlike the open meeting methodology used for previous Republican county commissioner replacements over the past decade – will inevitably leave her with a somewhat tarnished reputation as she begins her service.
As best we can tell, Allen has done a commendable job in her previous role as mayor of her small town, and as a town council member before that, and we have high hopes for her commissioner service.
Part of our puzzlement about the secretive process is that it was so unnecessary and nothing was gained by it – except to start Allen’s tenure with a cloud of secrecy over her selection.
And why did so few Republican executive committee members even care to attend?
In 2014, 2016, and 2021, there were between 39 and 44 committee members present – 44 in 2014 and 39 in both 2016 and 2021 – and four candidates vying for the appointment in each of those years.
In this past Saturday’s contest, which was closed to the public and press, Allen was the only nominee. Another contender who wanted to be considered, Henry Vines, did not attract even one person who would put the former Democrat’s name in nomination. (And therein may be part of the reluctance; that, plus Vines’ continuing enthusiasm for countywide zoning, which isn’t very popular with most folks, especially not Republicans.)
Still, we don’t think it’s a very encouraging sign for the party when there are so few Republicans who even wish to be considered for an appointment.
The one silver lining in the debacle on Saturday is that at least the county attorney prevented commissioners from violating the Open Meetings Law.
We’re told he suggested to his board members that no more than two current commissioners attend the meeting, lest three or more could trigger a quorum – an eventuality this newspaper had warned about – and thereby potentially turning the Republican conclave into an “official meeting” of the board of commissioners.
We’ve had some reader and other express irritation at our insistence that Republicans should be open and transparent in the selection process.
In that regard – and many others – we’re an equal opportunity proponent for openness, whether by Democrats, Republicans, or neither.
