Thursday, December 17, 2015

Madison supes oust Election Commission attorney, or did they?

The Madison County Journal reported today: 
 

The Madison County Board of Supervisors voted 2-1 in a recessed meeting this morning to hire Wesley Evans of Canton as new legal counsel for the Madison County Election Commission.

On Monday, there was a 2-2 deadlock after District 4 Supervisor Karl Banks recused himself from the discussion.

Banks did not recuse himself this morning, but did provide the lone nay vote, according to Chancery Clerk Ronny Lott.

District 2 Supervisor John Howland and District 5 Supervisor Paul Griffin voted to hire Evans. District 1 Supervisor John Bell Crosby and District 3 Supervisor Gerald Steen were absent. Both voted against the hire on Monday.

The meeting took less than a few minutes and was quickly adjourned following the vote to hire Evans.

The Election Commission on Tuesday voted 3-0 to present Evans' name to the board of supervisors for appointment as legal counsel.

Last week, the Election Commission voted to terminate Spence Flatgard as counsel, after he was unanimously approved to serve another year as counsel in October. On Tuesday, the Election Commission again voted to terminate Flatgard during a special called meeting.

Kingfish note: Here is the question that needs to be asked: Did a quorum exist? Mr. Banks recused himself Monday because he sued the Election Commission.  He left the room while debate and voting took place.  However, he did not excuse himself but instead voted today.  If he does not vote, a quorum does not exist.

Thus, is this vote going to actually stand? 

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

So the Board of Supervisors has to approve Mr Evans as attorney?

Anonymous said...

Please somebody investigate this bunch of crooks and lock someone up---These guys have been stealing from the taxpayers(their friends and neighbors)for years. Three of these crooks have been voted out and probably should serve a little time----If you couldn't trust them as supervisors you can't trust them as your friends or neighbors.

Anonymous said...

This B.S. is so freaking typical of Mike Espy and the Renaissance law firm of those same fitting initials.

Anonymous said...

They are hiring Evans to throw the trial? Does Banks truly believe Judge Lackey is going to let Evans play Keystone Cop in his courtroom?

Jail Time Gonna Come As A Surprise said...

It would seem that Banks voting this morning means there was indeed a quorum. Someone said Steen was out of town on a family matter. Not sure what's up with Crosby's absence. All of this logistical shit happens behind closed doors and has with this crowd for at least thirty years.

As Kim Waide might say: "Something bout to be did about this crap up in Madison County!"

Anonymous said...

This is a terrible example of elected people going wrong. Thank heavens we do not have to put up with John Howland much longer. He is a disgrace to the people he is supposed to represent. If Karl Banks could not ethically vote on Monday, what happened to let him cross this existing condition between Monday and the vote? Just plain disgraceful. Avarice is a sin.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately if he didn't leave the room, a quorum was still present even if he abstained from the vote. His previous abstention and subsequent participation could be looked at from an ethical viewpoint, but a quorum was present if he was there. So who got the other two to skip the meeting. If the meeting was legally called, their absence gave the other side the victory, which surely wasn't lost on them when they decided to skip it.

Anonymous said...

Kingfish, is there any reason why the new majority cannot undo this when they take office in January?

Anonymous said...

I've worked with Spence for many years. Stand up guy and good election lawyer. Hate he's having to deal with this crap. He doesn't deserve it - too good of a guy.

Anonymous said...

Wesley Evans is a good guy.

But I missed the part where the Supervisors got to pick the commissioners' attorney.

Wasn't the case when I served on the elections commission.

The only reason this happened is because Julia resigned. In all other elections for the commission posts, candidates run by party. The fact that a Democrat slipped in (and I promise you, it will be remedied the next opportunity) gave Karl and Paul -- and a bitter John Howland -- the chance to put one of their own in power.

But again, as Democrat lawyers from Canton go, Wesley is about as good as they come. The furthest thing from a Blackmon.

Anonymous said...

Banks has stolen from the taxpayers for over30 years. He is a lying, cheating SOB who will steal everything he can get his slimy hands on. He needs to shut up and leave. If he overturns this election through his corruption, he needs to be prosecuted and thrown in jail for a long long time.

North side said...

Yes, these actions can be undone in January.

Anonymous said...

JBC actually did the right thing this time. If he had been there, there would have been a LEGAL quorum voting. JBC with the "no" vote and the other two voting "yes" (And Steen was out of town for very legitimate reason that should not be matter of public discussion). But Karl tries to circumvent the law by voting "No" to make it a 2-1 vote. Karl knew Steen wouldn't be able to be there on Thursday, which is why he had the meeting continued to that day. He knew there was no way there would be a tie vote.

Anonymous said...

Try again 6:07. It was already a 'legal quorum'. Three were present. Banks' mere presence made it a quorum whether he voted or abstained.

North side said...


@7:21 --

Do you feel Banks voting on Thursday for recommendation of the new attny Evans as "LEGAL" ?
Does he have legal litigation again the actual Election committee he stated a vote towards?
Should he have recused himself?
Your opinion?

Anonymous said...

Banks has been the cancer in Madison County for 30+ years. He could always find a third vote from an R with dirty money. Been 3 Rs and 2 Ds for a long time but 1 would always get bought by Banks. How crazy is it to have Mike Espy, D , as county lawyer.

Anonymous said...

Spence Flatgard is as good as they come. What a shame...certainly Madison County's loss.

Anonymous said...

6:07 Gerald is that you defending yourself? He's known to spread information to stir up trouble and then disappear, only to reemerge through the media to make himself appear self righteous.

Anonymous said...

Wrong 7:21. There was a quorum to hold the meeting, but no quorum for the vote. Banks had already recused himself from this matter due to conflict. Since meeting was continuation of Tuesday - in which he was not present for discussions - he was not a part of the voting quorum.

Anonymous said...

Just another example of the crooks in Ms. politics. Why is anyone surprised? You continually vote in these crooks then act surprised when they continue to be the same crooks they have always been. Guess that all goes back to the education problem and the ethics problem so common in Ms.

Anonymous said...

Maybe the following occurred:
Banks, Howland, and Griffin reset this meeting knowing that Steen, one of the votes to not fire Flatgard, would be out of town and unable to vote, so that the two Yes votes to fire Flatgard (Howland and Griffin) would outvote Crosby, the lone No vote present. So, believing that Banks had recused himself and would continue to recuse himself, Crosby didn't show up for the meeting so there would be no quorum and thus no vote. But then Banks decided to vote this time so there would be quorum and the two Yes votes to fire Flatgard would win. (It's in Banks' interest to fire the experienced election lawyer against him in his litigation and allow an inexperienced election lawyer to be hired. Makes his chances of winning his suit easier.) Maybe legal but a shady, dishonest way to govern. This was no ant emergency decision that had to be made immediately via a special meeting. It could have easily waited a few days until Steen returned and the full board was present. There was no need for an immediate decision that day, a day when they knew one of their members would be absent.
Mr Howland, respectfully your constituents were disappointed with your representation of them and decided to elect someone else. It happens all the time. Accept it gracefully and professionally. Back room deals on the eve of your leaving is very unprofessional and why your constituents didn't re-elect you.

Anonymous said...

Warnock worked tirelessly in the election for Howland. He even accompanied him at neighborhood meetings because Howland was too dumb to talk.

North side said...

hahahaha~~~ Warnock speaking for Howland bc of dumbness....I can see that!
Thanks for sharing that interesting nugget.........Made my day

Anonymous @ 7:21... said...

Quorums, as a point of order, exist when a certain number of a body are present at a meeting. Whether one or more of them participates in a vote is irrelevant to the definition of quorum.

An abstention or recusal does not remove one from the room, as if he were not in attendance. The minutes of the meeting will report those in attendance, which rules on whether or not a quorum was present at the meeting. Quorums don't vote. Quorums attend.

If you recuse yourself from one vote, that recusal does not carry forward to subsequent, separate votes, which is what occurred here.

Whoever claimed Banks was 'not present for the discussion' is wrong.

I have no opinion as to whether the vote was legal (to begin with) or whether or who has a cause of action (litigation). That's up to people like the one they fired to answer. If Dilbert is not too tied up with cheer-leading for autism, perhaps he can get his staff involved.

Anonymous said...

Dilbert has nothing to do with this issue - although that has never stopped him before from trying to interject himself into damned near everything.

Would be interesting to see a local Madison taxpayer file a motion in Circuit Court over the order. If nothing else, would tie it up until next year, when the new board is in place.

I am sure before all this is over, the Ethics Commission will get a chance to review Banks' activities in this matter. He removed himself from the meeting on monday, but decided to participate Thursday. Probably thought it best to vote so there would be a total of three votes cast (yes a requirement, and different than the quorum question) but voting 'no' does not dissolve him of his obvious conflict.

The good news is Judge Henry Lackey is probably well aware of all these attempts to hijack the election process and the upcoming court proceedings. My guess is his first ruling will be on the motion to dismiss the Mandamus and to dismiss the Commission from the contest. Both are easy calls for a jurist that knows his stuff as Lackey does. Then he can look over at the Election Commission and their 'new' attorney and tell them that their motions - whatever they are - are moot. Problem solved. Move on to January and a full hearing of Banks' contest and let the three commissioners that are trying their best to ignore their professional job while protecting and now participating in the corrupt leadership that is Madison County.

Capt Wm said...

9:59 said "Mr Howland, respectfully your constituents were disappointed with your representation of them and decided to elect someone else. It happens all the time. Accept it gracefully and professionally."

How can Howland "accept it professionally"?? He has never acted professionally the entire time he has been on the BOS. As far as his "constituents"...he has two: Banks and Warnock who freakin' appointed his sorry ass to the BOS with the sole purpose of helping them continue to rob us long suffering taxpayers. There was not an iota of "leadership" from this jerk. He came to the BOS meetings, didn't say squat, and voted for everything Banks supported. He NEVER represented the suckers in District 2. I don't see he has the nerve to show his face in Madison County.

North side said...


Capt WM--
yes, that is exactly what I've seen in his actions --
Would you agree that makes Howland a puppet?
He should never hold an public office again, and who can even be sure of ethical actions if he were employed. Just a thought.
wow, what away to go out .......

Anonymous said...

Give me a Break Bill B !!

I supported you in your race for Senator, now today I get a letter asking me to donate to the election challenge for Bishop.
It smells of Chris McDaniels, some of the same wording he used in the scam like emails and letters his group sent out.

Capt Wm said...

5:13 I don't understand where McDaniels' scam fits in the conversation. I don't know this Bill B guy, but I do know the legal tab is running and Bishop is going to need help from us if he is going to prevail against Banks-Warnock. My contribution to the Bishop Defense Fund was substantial, but it did not make a dent in the legal bill.

Freedom isn't free, especially when honest people go up against the corrupt machine that Banks-Warnock have perfected. They have bank account is flush with our stolen tax dollars to use to crush their enemies. Honest people must get involved if they want honest, efficient government.

Anonymous said...

Prayers to David Bishop and Family as David's Brother passed away on Saturday 12-19-15.

Anonymous said...

Wesley Evans is proving to be a useless Boob.


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.