Chairman should be Melton

There is one more election yet to take place in Polk County, this one with just five voters. The five Polk commissioners will elect a chairman on Dec. 5.

By longstanding tradition here, the top vote-getter in the general election is given the chairmanship. In 2004, top vote-getter Harry Denton declined and nominated Tom Pack. But, generally, the chairman is chosen election day.

This year, however, the majority party on the board does not include the top vote-getter. Voters chose a split ticket, reelecting Republican Ted Owens along with Democrats Tommy Melton and Warren Watson. The Democrats won four-year terms, taking first and second.

Though he finished last, Owens’ party is now in the majority, as he rejoins Harry Denton and Tom Pack. Some of the Republican leadership would like their men to forego tradition and elect a Republican chairman.

Tommy Melton, a Democrat, should, by rights, get the job. He is qualified, having served two years on the Columbus Town Council. Furthermore, he embodies the public mandate for change at the county level.

The chairman, elected each year in December, votes on all questions before the board. The chairman is generally recognized by law as the county’s chief executive officer and may acquire considerable prestige and influence by virtue of the position. The chairman has no more legal power than other members of the board, but the chairman does have special authority to declare states of emergency under state laws governing riots and civil disorders. He also can call special meetings.

Only a relatively few partisans even think party politics matters in county administration. There is much for the new board members to focus on that does matter – fixing the old courthouse and planning for county water needs, to mention two. A partisan fight would not be helpful as we start this new administration. –JB