News
| Chair fight leaves county Dems bruised, angry |
| Intraparty row pushes Cogdell into leadership |
| Published Wednesday, December 7, 2011 5:26 pm |
The election of Mecklenburg County Commissioner Harold Cogdell as board chair has upset Democrats who suggest he is a closet Republican. Putting aside partisan politics, they said his election also went against the democratic process.
Cogdell ousted Jennifer Roberts in a 5-4 vote mostly among party lines.
“There’s nothing that can replace wisdom, but I will say everything changes,” Cogdell said. “I do believe people have really gotten tired of finger-pointing, us against them politics.”
District 4 Commissioner Dumont Clarke said Roberts has been “an extraordinarily proven leader” who was first elected to the board in 2004, became chair in 2006, and now has widespread support from the community.
“I don’t take my electorate for granted, and I’m deeply in debt to this community,” Roberts said. “Most importantly, I’ve kept my promise to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County. I will continue to serve tirelessly and selflessly for every minute of my time on city council.”
Four Republicans voted for Cogdell, a Democrat, and four Democrats voted for Roberts, a Democrat. Cogdell voted for himself.
“I think it’s a shame that we have Republicans voting for a Democrat and Democrats voting against him. Harold Cogdell has committed political suicide,” said Willie Fleming, chair of the African American Caucus of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party. “He can’t have the interests of the Democratic Party and vote with the Republicans. As far as I’m concerned, it’s distasteful. I can’t trust the guy, and this is the second time this has happened so as far as the African American Caucus is concerned he won’t get any votes from us because we don’t think he’s a true Democrat.”
African American Caucus member Sylvester Fleming said the vote also went against the Democratic process because historically the position of chair has gone to the person who got the most votes in the general election – which was Roberts.
“I think it’s a sad day when the people’s vote is really not to speak up for the chair that they voted for,” he said. “It was a about a personal ambition, and not the ambition of what is best for all people. I think there’s going to be repercussions, and I think there’s going to be time to catch up now. Now, we have a learning curve and with 2012 coming we really don’t have the opportunity to take that time to learn a new position. I think that’s going to have some backward emotions before we are able to even go forward. And I think that’s going to be a real bad situation for the community as a whole and those that voted for (Cogdell).”
Attendee Corine Mack added: “If you’re a person of integrity wait your turn. Roberts worked diligently and compassionately to serve her community. We [community] trusted you [board], and now you’re saying that our voice doesn’t matter.”
Cogdell supporters said change is needed and that they thought he’d be able to put partisanship aside, and he would help get government spending under control.
“My biggest issue is that she consistently worked to expand the size of government more so than I think government deserves,” said Commissioner Neil Cooksey, a Republican who represents District 5.
Cooksey also refuted allegations that Cogdell engaged in “backroom dealings” to be chair.
“I can assure you that no promise has been made in exchange for my vote,” he said.
Republican Karen Bentley said she nominated Cogdell because she believes that he would do a good job of managing Mecklenburg’s debt, his vision for growth and willingness to go beyond party lines.
At one point in the meeting, Cogdell said he remains a Democrat, leading some in the audience to clear their throats abruptly in derision. Roberts said that she appreciated them being there and the enthusiasm, but reminded them to be courteous and civil.
George Dunlap, a Democrat who represents District 3, criticized Cogdell for sending a four-page letter to commissioners and media detailing what he would do if given the chance to lead as chair.
“In his letter, he talks about communication, transparency and accountability that sounds good in theory, but begs the question: Is that really what’s being practiced?” Dunlap asked. “(Cogdell) actually sat down and took time to talk to (Bentley) about his idea, but he didn’t have that same level of respect for his democratic colleagues.”
Dunlap announced that he would relinquish chairmanship of the Effective and Efficient Government Committee so there can be at least one appointment Cogdell can make, noting he already has enough to occupy his time.
Dunlap also went down a laundry list of Cogdell’s votes on the budget to show that he has voted against issues important to his district, including reducing the Social Services budget by $2 million.
“In these economic times, the Department of Social Services is the lifeline for a whole lot of residents of District 3 who find themselves unemployed, underemployed, homeless or having other issues,” Dunlap said.
Dunlap noted Cogdell supported decreasing funding to the Arts and Science Council by $300,000 and voted against the Employment Service Resource Center, a job employment center that helps homeless people find jobs as well as MedAssist, which helps provide medicine for those people who can’t afford it.
“I don’t believe that it serves in the best interest of District 3 to put our trust in a person that has voted time and time again against issues that are important to the residents of District 3,” Dunlap said.
Cogdell ousted Jennifer Roberts in a 5-4 vote mostly among party lines.
 |
| PHOTO/DANIEL COSTON |
| Mecklenburg County Commissioners Chair Harold Cogdell (right) listens to criticism of his record at Tuesday’s board meeting. Republicans and Cogdell joined ranks to oust Democrat Jennifer Roberts (center) as chair. |
“There’s nothing that can replace wisdom, but I will say everything changes,” Cogdell said. “I do believe people have really gotten tired of finger-pointing, us against them politics.”
District 4 Commissioner Dumont Clarke said Roberts has been “an extraordinarily proven leader” who was first elected to the board in 2004, became chair in 2006, and now has widespread support from the community.
“I don’t take my electorate for granted, and I’m deeply in debt to this community,” Roberts said. “Most importantly, I’ve kept my promise to serve all the citizens of Mecklenburg County. I will continue to serve tirelessly and selflessly for every minute of my time on city council.”
Four Republicans voted for Cogdell, a Democrat, and four Democrats voted for Roberts, a Democrat. Cogdell voted for himself.
“I think it’s a shame that we have Republicans voting for a Democrat and Democrats voting against him. Harold Cogdell has committed political suicide,” said Willie Fleming, chair of the African American Caucus of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party. “He can’t have the interests of the Democratic Party and vote with the Republicans. As far as I’m concerned, it’s distasteful. I can’t trust the guy, and this is the second time this has happened so as far as the African American Caucus is concerned he won’t get any votes from us because we don’t think he’s a true Democrat.”
African American Caucus member Sylvester Fleming said the vote also went against the Democratic process because historically the position of chair has gone to the person who got the most votes in the general election – which was Roberts.
| Charlotte Post reporter Sommer Brokaw interviewed people on Dec. 6 at the Charlotte Government Center after Mecklenburg county commissioners elected Harold Cogdell chair, ousting fellow Democrat Jennifer Roberts. |
Attendee Corine Mack added: “If you’re a person of integrity wait your turn. Roberts worked diligently and compassionately to serve her community. We [community] trusted you [board], and now you’re saying that our voice doesn’t matter.”
Cogdell supporters said change is needed and that they thought he’d be able to put partisanship aside, and he would help get government spending under control.
“My biggest issue is that she consistently worked to expand the size of government more so than I think government deserves,” said Commissioner Neil Cooksey, a Republican who represents District 5.
Cooksey also refuted allegations that Cogdell engaged in “backroom dealings” to be chair.
“I can assure you that no promise has been made in exchange for my vote,” he said.
Republican Karen Bentley said she nominated Cogdell because she believes that he would do a good job of managing Mecklenburg’s debt, his vision for growth and willingness to go beyond party lines.
At one point in the meeting, Cogdell said he remains a Democrat, leading some in the audience to clear their throats abruptly in derision. Roberts said that she appreciated them being there and the enthusiasm, but reminded them to be courteous and civil.
George Dunlap, a Democrat who represents District 3, criticized Cogdell for sending a four-page letter to commissioners and media detailing what he would do if given the chance to lead as chair.
“In his letter, he talks about communication, transparency and accountability that sounds good in theory, but begs the question: Is that really what’s being practiced?” Dunlap asked. “(Cogdell) actually sat down and took time to talk to (Bentley) about his idea, but he didn’t have that same level of respect for his democratic colleagues.”
Dunlap announced that he would relinquish chairmanship of the Effective and Efficient Government Committee so there can be at least one appointment Cogdell can make, noting he already has enough to occupy his time.
Dunlap also went down a laundry list of Cogdell’s votes on the budget to show that he has voted against issues important to his district, including reducing the Social Services budget by $2 million.
“In these economic times, the Department of Social Services is the lifeline for a whole lot of residents of District 3 who find themselves unemployed, underemployed, homeless or having other issues,” Dunlap said.
Dunlap noted Cogdell supported decreasing funding to the Arts and Science Council by $300,000 and voted against the Employment Service Resource Center, a job employment center that helps homeless people find jobs as well as MedAssist, which helps provide medicine for those people who can’t afford it.
“I don’t believe that it serves in the best interest of District 3 to put our trust in a person that has voted time and time again against issues that are important to the residents of District 3,” Dunlap said.
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