Executive Committeee Hatchet Job

Yesterday the Executive Board of the Garland County Democratic Committee was called to order by Chairman George Hozendorf shortly after 5:30 pm. All but 1 of the board members appeared. Channel 4 (NBC) and channel 16 (FOX) were there videotaping the proceedings. The Sentinel-Record had a reporter present also.

This run-off election has drawn national interest hence the media being there. This meeting was to remove Virginia (Ginna) Watson as Election Commissioner who George stated 'it's my understanding that since Mrs. Watson serves at my pleasure that I have the authority to ask her to step down'. George made it clear there was to be no discussion or questions allowed by those outside of the board. A motion was raised and seconded to allow Ginna to explain her reasons for the fiasco of only 2 polling places being open for the run-off. It was a witch hunt of the 1st magnitude and when someone is removed 'illegally' from a position of trust, defending themselves should be a given. George would have preferred that not to be the case.

The media reported that there was no legal precedence for the Executive Committee to remove anyone from any commission. George has set himself above the law and has instilled himself as the reigning party Chair of the majority party on the Election Commission. By a vote of 9 to 4, Ginna was removed from office. According to the letter submitted by Charles Tapp, his resignation would only take effect upon the election of a third party member to the Commission. George declared himself publicly, the new Chair without Tapp having formally resigned. He apologized for erring on that issue. This whole fiasco is an effort on his part to put himself in control of the Election Commission AND the Central Committee. He is so partisan in his politics I have a hard time believing he's a Democrat. I was totally amazed at the people on the Executive Board that went along with it. They had a secret ballot so no one would have to face the 'victim'.
George made a disparaging remark to a female member of the Central Committee that she can 'come naked as long he didn't have to look at her'. He doesn't want Arkansas politics run by a bunch of 'Texas Jews'. Wow! That's our elected leader? What 'Texas Jews' he was referring to I don't know, maybe he'll explain Wednesday when we have our 'unannounced' County Convention where delegates to the state convention will be selected. I bet I'm going to have a hard time getting on that list.

None of this stuff is ever publicly announced. I got a copy of the minutes of the meeting he called June 8th, 2010 only by the back door. Those minutes are supposed to be open to anyone that wishes to see them. They were so poorly written, there was no mention of who suggested the removal of Charles Tapp. A member that was present was defined as 'mystery'. When pressured to know if roll call was made at that meeting I was told it was. Then how can there be a 'mystery' person at that meeting?

Excerpt from minutes:

"...

Since there were multiple errors made in the last election cycle, there is the threat of additional lawsuits and further action. There is pressure from the Department of Justice, the ACLU, the Democratic Party of Arkansas Secretary of State. It was considered that potential very bad press might be somewhat alleviated by an immediate resignation, of the Chair of the Election Commission, Charles Tapp. It was also suggested that resigning would allow him to leave with dignity versus other official action that might be taken. Stan Schrader moved that we direct the Chair of the Committee, George Hozendorf, to request the resignation of our representative on the Election Commission, who is currently serving as Chair. Leon Davis seconded. The vote was taken by voice. The only opposition was Lawrence Adkins. The motion carried.

The State Convention will be held on July 17. ..."

No mention of who first raised the issue of removing Tapp. These minutes are so poorly scribed that when the debate went to how long anyone served as a commissioner, no one could recall the exact details and there were no minutes from previous meetings asked for or offered to clarify this issue. John Martineau stated that the terms were for 3 years to be staggered so that a term expired each year in January after having drawn lots to determine who got the 1st 1 year term, the 2 year term and then lastly the 3 year term. George believed that the terms expired in July. No one could remember the exact decision and when it was made. God love these guys. We have the Keystone Kops running our county Central Committee.

I would love to replay the film that our television cameras captured because I still have a hard time getting my mind around this. Maybe if I watch it enough it will all become clear. And then maybe just a nice cold beer would do better.