GREENE COUNTY
A special called meeting of the Greene County Board of Commissioners last week had both Democrats and Republicans from the county and from the current Board of Elections and Registration (BOER) at the podium.
The county is asserting that adjustments need to be made with the BOER to remain effective in the coming years. Those speaking disagreed and seemed to suggest “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
The county is considering an amendment to the local legislation of the BOER. Little detail and explanations were shared with those at the meeting and left many with questions regarding the consideration of possible appointees to the board solely by the commissioners.
“As any change needs to go through local legislation, it will be imperative that the county begin considering and discussing any proposed changes,” County Manager Byron Lombard said.
The BOER operates as a three-member board with the commissioners responsible for appointing the chairperson, who is currently Ted Baker. The executive committees of both the Republican and Democratic parties in Greene County nominate and elect their representatives, presently Democrat Kathryn Harris and Republican Bob Lofgren.
Lombard shared with Lake Oconee News some key points as to why the county is weighing a possible vote:
• The proposed changes are meant to address a system that is “inherently flawed.”
• There have been considerable issues in the last few election years with opposing political party appointees on the board that encumbers staff. No specific issues were shared as of publication.
• There are thousands of possible candidates in the county that are not heavily aligned with either of the two parties and should have an opportunity to be nominated and elected.
• Removal reprimand by county officials can not be made presently for problematic and distributive appointees. It creates an environment that is not productive and does not foster a “team” approach.
• The present board of commissioners are elected officials in the county and make appointees to various boards and committees. The local appointees to both parties are small groups that may not represent the county as a whole. The process used to solicit interested candidates such as completing an application and providing relevant information for all other boards and committees should then be used to make BOER appointments. Harris suggested the commissioners should instead pass a resolution to commend the efforts of the acting elections supervisor, Kathleen Myers.
“Kathleen has done a tremendous job this year,” Harris said. “The board works very well together, and we are concerned with protecting the rights of all voters. I would like to think there is no need for a change.”
The Morgan County BOC recently changed its appointment process to the BOER, making the elected commissioners responsible for appointing all members to the BOER. This effectively took out any political party's role in new appointments.
Lombard said that the Greene County Commissioners will convene to discuss any proposed changes and will determine whether to act and vote on a change at an upcoming meeting.