Well, we have a new chairman, and it's Commissioner Ford. This year's voting process was not nearly as exciting as in year's past but I suppose it's a good thing when the commission doesn't become a circus but it's less exciting...there is good and bad with everything, I guess.
The commission has had somewhat of a gentlemen's agreement for the last several years that they would alternate between having a democrat chairman and then a republican chairman but in politics, keeping your word is about as rare as a politician that tells the truth...it happens, at least I have heard that it happens. Last term, James Harvey, a democrat, held the position. Before that Mike Ritz, a Republican, if you like your Republicans always voting like a democrat but campaigning like a conservative republican when you need votes, well, that was the commission's idea of a Republican fulfilling the their gentlemens agreement which is why all of the democrats voted for him for chairman while all of the republicans voted against him. Awwww, good times... good times. Reminds me of the time Mick Wright, me, and several others had the great idea to recall that pretend republican because he was ...well....a pretend republican. And then we find out Congress wasn't the only guys passing laws that exempted them from the laws they pass. Try recalling a commissioner...if you like working with parameters of about 10 months. The rules definitely protect the incumbents...but I am getting sidetracked here...back to work...
Citizens spoke in favor of supporting Ford and Roland and even one citizen spoke in favor of George Chism who was not in the running. Basar had no one speaking in support of him...I can't imagine why...
So, Commissioner Basar, Roland, Bailey, and Ford all wanted the chairman position. Roland has been on the commissioner longer than Basar and one would have thought he would support a fellow republican, but you would be wrong. Basar and Roland both spoke on their behalf on why the commissioners should support them. Basar had the typical political talking points speech using words like teamwork, partnership, agreeing to disgagree, diversity, and shared interests...and by typical I mean booooooring (nothing personal Basar I just call it like I see it) and Terry's speech was colorful in a way that only Terry can be (that's a compliment) but he did mention the fact that he was always at every meeting and never left early because he is fully devoted to commission duties. A shot at Basar who is not always there and sometimes leaves early? Perhaps...He also mentioned he doesn't walk out on votes and he always votes yes or no and does not abstain. A shot at Basar for being wishy washy? Perhaps...
Anyways, it came time for the voting and Basar voted for Basar along with George Chism, a new commissioner. Why the new commissioner didn't support Terry Roland? Who knows, but I think I will ask him. Two votes for Basar...Needless to say he didn't make it to the final round. In the final round, Shafer, Reeves, Roland, Chism, Billingsly, and yes...Basar all voted for Ford. Fortunately for Shelby County, Ford had the final winning vote for himself. Otherwise, we would have had Bailey for chairman and that would have been a whole other story.
Terry Roland was voted Chairman Pro Tempore. There were three rounds of voting and only Roland and Reeves were in the running. Reeves only received one vote so the next two rounds all went for Roland. Basar passed and didn't vote for Roland for the 1st two round and very quietly voted for him on the last round. It seemed a tough pill for him to swallow. Perhaps Basar might learn about the whole teamwork thing that he mentioned in his speech, I do not think it means what he thinks it means...
I left after these issues were decided so I will have to update you later on the other two issues I wrote about earlier regarding the hundreds of thousands of dollars (taxpayer funds) that are being spent on improvements for bike trails and the Project MOST for preventing inmate recidivism.
As always, your dedicated and unpaid public servant, reporting from somewhere inside Shelby County...by the way, the citizen count was up to at least 10. Progress is being made...Hope to see there next time!
The commission has had somewhat of a gentlemen's agreement for the last several years that they would alternate between having a democrat chairman and then a republican chairman but in politics, keeping your word is about as rare as a politician that tells the truth...it happens, at least I have heard that it happens. Last term, James Harvey, a democrat, held the position. Before that Mike Ritz, a Republican, if you like your Republicans always voting like a democrat but campaigning like a conservative republican when you need votes, well, that was the commission's idea of a Republican fulfilling the their gentlemens agreement which is why all of the democrats voted for him for chairman while all of the republicans voted against him. Awwww, good times... good times. Reminds me of the time Mick Wright, me, and several others had the great idea to recall that pretend republican because he was ...well....a pretend republican. And then we find out Congress wasn't the only guys passing laws that exempted them from the laws they pass. Try recalling a commissioner...if you like working with parameters of about 10 months. The rules definitely protect the incumbents...but I am getting sidetracked here...back to work...
Citizens spoke in favor of supporting Ford and Roland and even one citizen spoke in favor of George Chism who was not in the running. Basar had no one speaking in support of him...I can't imagine why...
So, Commissioner Basar, Roland, Bailey, and Ford all wanted the chairman position. Roland has been on the commissioner longer than Basar and one would have thought he would support a fellow republican, but you would be wrong. Basar and Roland both spoke on their behalf on why the commissioners should support them. Basar had the typical political talking points speech using words like teamwork, partnership, agreeing to disgagree, diversity, and shared interests...and by typical I mean booooooring (nothing personal Basar I just call it like I see it) and Terry's speech was colorful in a way that only Terry can be (that's a compliment) but he did mention the fact that he was always at every meeting and never left early because he is fully devoted to commission duties. A shot at Basar who is not always there and sometimes leaves early? Perhaps...He also mentioned he doesn't walk out on votes and he always votes yes or no and does not abstain. A shot at Basar for being wishy washy? Perhaps...
Anyways, it came time for the voting and Basar voted for Basar along with George Chism, a new commissioner. Why the new commissioner didn't support Terry Roland? Who knows, but I think I will ask him. Two votes for Basar...Needless to say he didn't make it to the final round. In the final round, Shafer, Reeves, Roland, Chism, Billingsly, and yes...Basar all voted for Ford. Fortunately for Shelby County, Ford had the final winning vote for himself. Otherwise, we would have had Bailey for chairman and that would have been a whole other story.
Terry Roland was voted Chairman Pro Tempore. There were three rounds of voting and only Roland and Reeves were in the running. Reeves only received one vote so the next two rounds all went for Roland. Basar passed and didn't vote for Roland for the 1st two round and very quietly voted for him on the last round. It seemed a tough pill for him to swallow. Perhaps Basar might learn about the whole teamwork thing that he mentioned in his speech, I do not think it means what he thinks it means...
I left after these issues were decided so I will have to update you later on the other two issues I wrote about earlier regarding the hundreds of thousands of dollars (taxpayer funds) that are being spent on improvements for bike trails and the Project MOST for preventing inmate recidivism.
As always, your dedicated and unpaid public servant, reporting from somewhere inside Shelby County...by the way, the citizen count was up to at least 10. Progress is being made...Hope to see there next time!
RSS Feed