11231999
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683
HARNETT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of Special Meeting
(Joint Session with Board of Elections)
November 23, 1999
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met in joint session with the Harnett
County Board of Elections on Tuesday, November 23, 1999, in the County
Administration Building, 102 East Front Street, Lillington, North Carolina.
Members present: Dan B. Andrews, Chairman
. Beatrice Bailey Hill, Vice Chairman
Joseph T. Bowden
Teddy J. Byrd
Walt Titchener
Staff present: Neil Emory, County Manager
Wm. A. (Tony) Wilder, Assistant County Manager
Dwight W. Snow, County Attorney
Kay S. Blanchard, Clerk to the Board
Paula Stewart, MIS Director
Wesley Gregory, MIS staff
Board of Elections
Members present: Bill Randall, Chairman
Vivian Bennett
Staff present: Mary Jernigan, Elections Supervisor
Chairman Andrews welcomed the group and Commissioner Byrd led the invocation.
Chairman Andrews and Chairman Randall called the respective Boards to order at
. 4:00 p.m..
Board members and others discussed apparent problems that have occurred in the
election process in recent elections. In addition to the Board members, individuals
participating in the discussion were:
Ruth Savage, veteran poll worker
Jennifer Hodges, former Elections employee
Mary Jernigan, Elections supervisor
Paula Stewart, MIS director
Wesley Gregory, MIS employee
Learry Warren, candidate for Mayor of Dunn in recent election
Carl Dean, Dunn City Manager
Austin Tew, Dunn Fire Chief
W.N. Porter, Town of Erwin Commissioner
Following the discussion, Chairman Andrews made the following statement:
The cornerstone of good government is a fair and efficient election process. When the
public's belief in this process is shaken, any public official involved should make
every effort to restore the voters' faith and trust. Today, in Harnett County, many
voters have lost their,faith and trust in our election process. Therefore, it is incumbent
. upon the Board of Commissioners and the Board of Elections to take the steps
necessary to restore each voter's belief in the process.
Chairman Andrews moved that the State Board of Elections be invited to our County
to conduct a complete review of our current operations; and upon conclusion of such
review, submit a final report to both Boards. Commissioner Bowden seconded the
motion and it passed by acclamation of both Boards.
There being no further business, the joint meeting of the Harnett County Board of
Commissioners and the Harnett County Board of Elections duly adjourned at 5:45
p.m.
~~_ ~. I2.l.CLTO ~a.-r. .i'an~f:;r/ to the Board
Dan B. An rews, Chairman