ELIZABETHTOWN — The leader of Bladen County’s election board has changed her mind.
Chairwoman Louella Thompson said at the conclusion of Tuesday’s regular meeting she would have law enforcement present to take action if anyone stands to say the Pledge of Allegiance at the next meeting of the Bladen County Board of Elections. Her comments were delivered at the end of a one-hour meeting that included an impromptu pledge from the majority of the audience after the board voted along party lines not to include it in the meeting’s agenda. She said the action by the audience was a disruption of the meeting, and would not be tolerated in the future, adding lawmen would be brought in.
On Thursday morning, board member Patsy Sheppard issued a news release from Thompson that said, “I’ve had the opportunity to speak with others including community members, legal experts, and the state and local Democratic Party. As a result of those conversations I’ve decided the Bladen County Board of Elections will include the Pledge of Allegiance in its agenda for regular meetings starting in February.
“I’ve made this decision after reflecting on the months of discourse in our community regarding the unprecedented allegations of election fraud, which have cast doubt on the election processes in our County. I decided to accept the position of Chairwoman of the Board because I was ready, willing, and able to face the difficulties that come with leading. I remain committed to doing so. It is time for the Bladen County Board of Elections to focus on the more important work of election administration and I’m hopeful this decision allows our Board to move forward in a constructive way.”
Backlash from her decision Tuesday was overwhelming.
Gov. Roy Cooper, who appointed her to the position last spring, even came out against her action. Responding to a request for reaction from the Bladen Journal, his spokeswoman Sadie Weiner wrote in an email, “The Governor leads the Pledge of Allegiance before every Council of State meeting. He doesn’t agree with the action taken and he thinks it’s a good practice to say it before a Board of Elections meeting.”
U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop, a Republican representing a portion of Bladen County, contacted the Bladen Journal after reading its report on the meeting at BladenJournal.com. In a statement released through a spokeswoman, Bishop said, “I was appalled that the Chairwoman of the Bladen County Board of Elections will prevent board members — on threat of arrest — from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. It shows a twisted moral code to oppress the right to honor a flag that stands for freedom from oppression. I stand with the board members who continue to revere and respect our flag and those who lost their lives defending it.”
Comments on BladenJournal.com, the only newspaper in the county, and the publication’s Facebook page followed the same tenor. The story generated benchmark activity on both sites, rivaled only in recent months by the death of a White Lake firefighter and a suspect charged with driving 102 mph and having marijuana with him before he ran out of gas.
Republicans Emery White and Michael Aycock were for having the pledge, and Thompson and fellow Democrats Sheppard and Deborah Belle each voted against.
“Being in the military, we honor the flag all the time in the military,” said White, who motioned for the pledge to be added. “I just think it should be on the agenda. There is no way we should have a meeting without it. It’s like having a prayer. Why do we object to the Pledge of Allegiance?”
Aycock seconded the motion.
After some passionate words from multiple members of the audience about adding it, and one voice against it, Daine Smith told the group if they wanted to join him he was going to lead it.
More than half the room stood with him, including Board of Elections Director Chris Williams. Among those not standing was Commissioner Arthur Bullock, who when asked did stand and offer a prayer at the start of the meeting, with everyone in the room standing and bowing their heads with him.
Asked for an explanation on her vote against, Thompson said, “That’s my right, and I exercise it.”
Since being seated last spring, this board has not included the pledge at its meetings. A flag has not been present but was on Tuesday, placed directly behind Thompson’s seat at the middle of the head table. According to accepted flag etiquette, it should have been to the right of the speaker.
Following a short recess, the board did attend to business.
One-stop workers were approved with one exception, and training dates for them were set on Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. and Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. Election day workers were approved with only a couple of exceptions noted.
Williams, in the director’s update, said seven total absentee ballots have been sent out for the March 3 primary. Six were absentee by mail, and one was military.
The board will not move up its 5 p.m. meeting on the day of the primary, based on the number of absentee ballot requests to date.
Leave a Reply