The Perry County Commission elected Commissioner Carlton Lewis as its new chairman Tuesday night in a meeting that saw outgoing Chairman Albert Turner Jr. fight to control the terms of his own removal, lose that fight, and then watch as the commission voted to take his name off the county’s bank accounts.
At the commission’s previous meeting, held the same day the county canvassing board certified results showing Turner lost his District 1 seat to challenger Donald Bennett by a single vote, Commissioner Brett Harrison asked that the chairmanship be placed on the agenda. Turner refused but promised to add it at the next meeting.
“I have no problem with you putting the chairman on the next agenda and us moving forward,” Turner said at the time.
He kept his word. Near the bottom of Tuesday’s agenda was a one-word item: Chairman.
As the commission approached the end of the agenda, Turner asked for a motion to pay the county’s claims. Commissioner Barbara Howze made the motion. Turner asked for a second, and when none appeared forthcoming, made the second himself.
He passed the gavel to Lewis and the motion to pay the bills failed.
Lewis requested an executive session, citing the need to discuss general reputation, character and job performance. He asked for 20 minutes. Harrison seconded, and the commission went behind closed doors.
They returned after approximately 15 minutes.
Turner distributed papers to the commissioners and asked for a motion to reconsider the salary of interim County Administrator Valerie Lockett. Lockett, who had already been working in the commission office before Turner appointed her interim administrator in late May, is currently earning approximately $60,000 a year.
Turner told the commissioners that under the current arrangement she would be earning less than some of the employees she supervises.
Lewis moved to reconsider but said he wanted the commission to return at the next meeting with more detail on what it would like to offer. The matter was set aside.
The commission moved to the next agenda item.
“We will have a motion for chairman,” Turner said. “Is there a motion for chairmanship?”
Harrison moved that Lewis be elected chairman effective immediately. Commissioner Tony Long seconded.
The motion carried.
What happened next unfolded quickly and at times dissolved into crosstalk as Turner and the commission’s three-member majority argued over when, exactly, the new chairman’s authority began.
Turner moved that Howze be elected vice chairman and said he was passing the gavel to Lewis.
“You don’t have the gavel,” Harrison told him.
“That’s effective at the next meeting,” Turner replied, referring to the chairmanship change the commission had just voted on.
“No, I said effective immediately,” Harrison said.
“That’s what you said,” Turner told him, “but that ain’t what I said.”
“You’re not going to be chairman for two more weeks,” Harrison said.
Turner then said he had passed the gavel to Lewis and asked for a second on his motion to elect Howze as vice chairman.
The meeting briefly ground to a halt as commissioners talked over one another.
Lewis, who now held the gavel following Harrison’s motion appointing him chair, stepped in to preside.
“Motion by Commissioner Turner for Commissioner Barbara Howze,” Lewis said. “Is there a second?”
No one seconded. The motion died.
Turner then moved that Long be elected vice chairman. Harrison seconded.
The motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote.
With the new leadership seated, the commission moved to realign the county’s financial authority.
Harrison moved to add Long to all county financial institution signature cards and to delete Turner from all of them, effective immediately. Lewis seconded. Lewis himself was already a signatory.
The motion carried.
Harrison then moved to rescind a prior commission motion that had authorized Turner to use a county vehicle.
“That motion is out of order,” Turner said. “You cannot tell a county employee that he can’t use a county vehicle.”
“Yes you can,” Harrison said.
“I’m going to charge this county 72 cents [per mile] every time I go to a meeting,” Turner said.
Turner called for a motion to adjourn. Harrison attempted to restate his vehicle motion.
“You don’t have a motion. That motion is not recognized,” Turner said. “You can do it at the next meeting. You ain’t going to do it at this one.”
“We made a motion for you to use it,” Harrison said, arguing that Turner’s access to the vehicle had originated from a commission vote and could be undone by one.
“You made a motion for me to take it home, and I’m not going to take it home,” Turner said. “You can make a motion that I can’t have 24-hour access to it.”
Turner then declared the meeting adjourned. It was not clear who moved or seconded the adjournment.
Turner has served as commission chairman off and on since approximately 2007. His term in the District 1 seat does not expire until the winner of the November general election takes office, and he has filed a challenge to the primary results with the State Democratic Executive Committee.
A hearing is scheduled for June 15 at the Alabama Democratic Conference headquarters in Montgomery.
Lewis, who represents District 5, will serve as chairman going forward.
Long, who represents District 2, will serve as vice chairman.
