Cabarrus commissioners face public criticism over appointment process; Shannon Lancaster appointed to Human Services advisory board

Public comments at the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners meeting on Feb. 18 pressed the board for more transparency in appointments and accused commissioners of steering seats to ideologically aligned candidates. During the meeting the board removed Marie Dockery from the Human Services Advisory Board and appointed Shannon Lancaster to finish the unexpired term, and it replaced a county representative on the Cabarrus Visitors Bureau with a sitting commissioner.

The concerns were raised repeatedly during the public-comment portion. Mae Mack told commissioners she opposed what she described as “intimidation and interference in board appointments,” saying the practice produced an “echo chamber” and warned voters would hold elected officials accountable. “Your efforts to ensure the…