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Chairman's motion to appoint interim registrar fails after heated exchange
Summary
A motion by Chairman Lawrence Clark to change Eric Goode's title from interim registrar to registrar stalled May 3 for lack of a second amid a heated exchange between Clark and Secretary Glenwood Foster in which Clark said, "I say skin color." The board postponed further action and set an evaluation date.
The Charlotte County Electoral Board heard a motion May 3 from Chairman Lawrence Clark to correct the term "Interim Registrar" and make Eric Goode the county registrar through 2023, but the motion received no second and did not proceed.
The motion, introduced after the board discussed recent guidance from Ashley Cole, would have extended Goode's appointment unless he failed to perform. Chairman Clark moved the change but the motion died for lack of a second. Clark told the board he had contacted the Department of Elections and the Board of Supervisors about appointment and budget matters; members said they also sought guidance from the County Attorney because language in motions from an Aug. 13 meeting did not appear to align with applicable code.
Tension over the personnel matter spilled into a frank exchange about meeting logistics and treatment of staff. Clark accused Secretary Glenwood Foster of trying to belittle him and the registrar and asked, "what is the difference between me and Eric and you?" Foster replied, "I don't know what is it? How old are you?" Clark then said, "I say skin color." Foster asked, "you accuse me of being racist?" The exchange underscored lingering disagreements about where and how evaluations and other personnel business should be conducted.
Board members said they had sought legal advice and procedural clarity. Foster and others noted that early voting was underway in the Registrar's office and objected to holding an evaluation in the registrar's private office; the Secretary and Vice Chairman preferred an alternative venue. The board set a date of May 12 for the scheduled evaluation.
Because the motion did not receive a second, no formal appointment or vote occurred. The board deferred further action pending clarification from the County Attorney or other counsel and the outcome of the planned evaluation on May 12. The meeting adjourned after routine calendar reminders and public comments.
