Recountings from the County - Ambush at the Belknap County Corral!
So, we have more Republicans voting for the Democrat than for the Republican?
Well, a little bit ago, I commented on an article about Belknap County turning Blue (here) given the election results. Nowlet's add a little more to the fire (a couple of weeks late, but I decided that I'd wait to get the official minutes from the meeting - received on 12/16/08 - just to make sure that I was remembering correctly) as what happened as the Belknap County Convention meeting when new officers were elected left me more than a little puzzled. Sure, the Citizen covered the event (12/9/08) as did the Sun (p 1, 12/9/08). And while the Citizen did note that all of the Democrats voted for her, I think that the title of the Sun article said gave rise to the actual truth of the matter: "With Help From All 6 Democrats, Millham is new Convention Chair"
Frankly, Steve Nedeau got ambushed at the meeting (and still seemed to still be a bit sore about it at the monthly GOP meeting a couple of days later - and I think with good reason). From the peanut gallery at the time, I could see that he was stunned at the outcome. Here's Steve Russell (Clerk at the time) note of the vote:
The problem I have is that at the beginning of the nomination processes, Beth Arsenault (D-Laconia) immediately put Alida Millham's (R-Gilford) into play and it was immediately seconded by Liz Merry (D-Sanborton). I happened to be looking at Alida at the moment of nomination. I had expected a bit of a change in her expression when Arsenault nominated her; not even a eyelid was batted and no change in expression (not so with Steve Nedeau).
My only conclusion was - hmmm, somebody just got torpedoed and it was all put into play well before the meeting. I can see perhaps why a change in the Chair might have been desired, but for all six Dems to vote for Alida and in such a way so as to show forethought?
Then for Clerk:
Only 6 Republicans voted for the Republican St. Cyr (who voted for Arsenault; she voted for him cancelling their two votes out).
Party unity? My thoughts after the meeting is that the Democrats must have been in high spirits after the voting - they engineered who they wanted, even being in the minority. Such a deal!
It shall be "interesting" to see how this plays out as the County budget progresses through its subcommittee meetings...but it may not be as "interesting" to see how it plays out with the Belknap Republicans internally.
Comments
Posted by: doug | December 28, 2008 11:27 AM