Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council member criticizes delay in swearing-in of elected officials, attorney says matter is before courts
Summary
Council Member Beulah Bolton said she was concerned that newly elected officials had not been installed and called the delay "Trumpian behavior." Attorney Martin Driggers said the election commission completed its work and that swearing-in typically waits while legal contests are resolved; the council retains discretion to swear in members if it chooses.
During reports the Jan. 5 Town of McBee meeting, Council Member Beulah Bolton voiced frustration that officials who won an election have not been sworn into office and said the delay looked like "Trumpian behavior." She asked who is responsible for installing winners and whether the process was being needlessly prolonged.
Attorney Martin Driggers told the council the town's election commission completed its duties and the contest has been taken to the courts. He said historically the council has waited for litigation to be final before swearing in members but acknowledged the council could decide to swear in officials if it chose to do so. "The council doesn't necessarily have to follow that," Driggers said, while noting prior cases have been appealed to higher courts.
Bolton said she disliked seeing the situation linger; Driggers said the legal process allows for reconsideration and appeal and that the council's discretion on swearing-in depends on the stage of litigation. No formal action or vote was taken on the point during the meeting.
