Thursday, December 10, 2009
Betty Lou Ward, center of "Bladdergate" controversy
In the world of partisan politics, even bathroom breaks are exploited in order to seize power. That’s what happened in North Carolina on Monday when Republicans on the Wake County Board of Commissioners took advantage of Democrat Betty Lou Ward’s brief visit to the ladies room to elect Republican Tony Gurley chairman.
The chairmanship was in the hands of Democrat Harold Webb, who was absent from the meeting because he’s recovering from a stroke. Webb’s absence left the commission deadlocked 3-3 between Republicans and Democrats, until Ward’s bathroom break. Upon returning and realizing what had happened, Ward looked at her GOP colleagues and remarked: “Wonderful. Thanks, guys.”
Partisan acrimony ensued the rest of the evening as commissioners deadlocked 3-3 on votes to elect a vice chairman, with Democrats favoring Ward and Republicans wanting Commissioner Paul Coble. The meeting stretched into the night until 2 am, when Commissioner Stan Norwalk requested a recess until the following morning so he could go home and get his insulin shot. The motion passed, 5-1, with newly elected chairman Gurley the only one in opposition.
The next day, the board managed to elect a vice chairman—Ward--when Webb was allowed to call in his vote over the phone.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Wake Commissioners Elect GOP Chairman (by Josh Schaffer, Raleigh News & Observer)
Webb Phones it In for Ward (by Thomas Goldsmith, Raleigh News & Observer)
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