Spider Webs

The Jefferson County Commission held their first voting meeting since election placed eight new Commissioners at the table. Naturally, the question of the evening was who would lead the group through their initiation year and the answer came as a surprise to some. I must admit that those of us who count votes had already placed our bets, figuratively, on who would hold the gavel and I was not surprised. Perhaps I should qualify that, I was not surprised that Jim Carmichael was elected to the position of Chairman. However, I was surprised when I found out that Carmichael had thrown his hat in the ring. As a Commissioner, Carmichael was certainly not one of the most polarizing on the Commission. In fact, over his freshman four years in office, his move was toward moderate, often being a swing vote. On the Budget Committee, he supported a budget that the DOE considered, if not favorable, at least livable. It was his district that felt the impact of the proposed Megasite and Carmichael was open regarding his opinion on the issue. He stated that he was totally left out of the loop and felt that his district was blind sighted, being very vocal regarding his disappointment in the handling of information. Though he went on record in his support of transparency and his vote reflected his position, he was largely quiet, only occasionally calling for a cease to the team voting concept that reigned during the previous Commission.

I would have expected some of the more outspoken members of the Commission to seek the Chairmanship and, in fact, a few made a run at the numbers. But, none could carry the vote. Carmichael was elected in an 11-10 split and it was firm, with members falling clearly on the side of Carmichael or his competition. If the road to 11 votes was rocky, in the end all that matter was 11 Yeas and a new Chairman was seated.

I expected a neutral, non nonsense Chairman out of Carmichael. He clearly disliked the team concept and I think that he will work to keep the gavel neutral and bickering to a minimum. Will he be perfect? Probably not. After all he is new to the Chairmanship but he has served as the chair of several committees and has always been organized and to the point. He will be relying heavily on Commissioner Scarlett, who was elected Parliamentarian, for rules of order. It is unfortunate that both Carmichael and Herndon (Court Clerk) are both new but I anticipate that both will be organized and prepared.

Is everybody happy with the new Chairman? Clearly not, as there were 10 votes for someone else. It is my hope that the Commission gives moderation a try before taking a verbal run at Carmichael. Will there be some confusion? Of course there will be. There always has been, with multiple amendments and questions regarding procedure. I do not expect perfection. I expect, as a resident of Jefferson County, an honest effort at balance. I expect transparency. I expect professionalism when dealing with each other and the public. A new day has dawned on the Jefferson County Commission and it will be as good as they, the Commissioners, will let it be. Welcome Chairman Carmichael. May your resolve be strong, your patience unending and your gavel grow spider webs.