2012-10-05 Special Meeting NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
SPECIAL MEETING,OCTOBER 5,2012 PAGE 503
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for a Special Meeting on Friday, October 5, 2012,
at 4:40 p.m. in the Harrell Conference Room at the New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government
Center Drive, Wilmington,North Carolina.
Members present: Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Jr.: Vice-Chairman Jason R. Thompson: Commissioner
Brian M. Berger:and Commissioner Richard G. Catlin.
Staff present: County Manager Chris Coudriet: County Attorney Wanda Copley: and Clerk to the Board
Sheila L. Schuh.
CONSIDERATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S RECOMMENDATION
MELISSA GOTT TO FILL THE VACANT SEAT ON THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS
Chairman Barfield reported that the resignation of Ted Davis, Jr. from the New Hanover County Board of
Commissioners which was effective September 20, 2012 leaves a vacancy on the Board: an appointment to fill the
position will be valid until the Board's December 2, 2012 meeting. The New Hanover County Republican Party has
recommended Melissa Gott to fill the vacancy.
Chairman Barfield reported that it has been brought to the Board's attention that Ms. Gott's primary
residence may not be in New Hanover Count-v as claimed,but in Brunswick County. Her husband has established a
voting record in Brunswick County while Ms. Gott has established one in New Hanover County;Ms. Gott has stated
to him that she and her husband live together.
In response to Board questions, Elections Director Mai in McFayden stated his office has received a
complaint that Ms. Gott is not a resident at the Chestnut Street address: this is preliminary concern. A formal
complaint will need to be filed to begin the investigation process.
Chairman Barfield voiced his concern that the residency issue needs to be addressed before the Board
proceeds with considering the recommendation.
Commissioner Berger voiced his concern that there may be important issues that will arise during the next
six weeks that will require a full board to be seated and that there are two doctors,Dr. Charles Kays and Dr. Derrick
Hickev, who have indicated their interest to fill the available seat. He indicated his concern about the residency
issue. He asked that another candidate be considered.
In response to Board questions, Mr. McFayden stated that Ms. Gott has been a registered voter in New
Hanover County since 2003 and has voted in every election since 2004: there is signed affirmation by her that her
residency is New Hanover County.
In response to Board questions, Mr. McFayden explained the process that is involved with challenging a
person's residency stating that a formal challenge will result in the NHC Board of Elections hearing the evidence
and seising as the jury to come to a determination. He explained that your domicile is your primary residence.
Commissioner Catlin stated that he would like to see the Board table the issue and let the Board of
Elections work through the complaint and challenge process with the hopes that it would be concluded by the
Board's next meeting on October 15,2012.
Chairman Barfield stated that he would like to ask the Republican Party to bring back another
recommendation to the Board for consideration voicing his concern that Ms. Gott has said that she and her husband
live together but rivo different addresses are on record in two different counties.
In response to Board questions concerning her primary residence, Ms. Gott stated that she lives at 602
Chestnut Street and that she and her husband own between 20-30 other properties. She stated that both she and her
husband reside at 602 Chestnut Street.
In response to Board questions concerning whether she or her husband have changed their address of
record in the past 24 hours,Ms. Gott stated that they have not.
In response to Board questions concerning the complaint filed by Ms. Carolyn Caldwell, Ms. Gott stated
that Ms. Caldwell has a history of working against her during her request for a Special Use Permit with the City of
Wilmington to convert her home to a home business.
In response to Board questions concerning the ramifications of voting out of the county of residence,
County Attorney Wanda Copley reported that the Board of Elections would need to hear the evidence and make that
determination.
Hearing no firrther discussion, Chairman Barfield requested direction from the Board.
Motion: Vice-Chairman Thompson MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Catlin, to table the consideration of
Ms. Gott to fill the vacant board seat to allow time for the Republican Party to review the residency issue and for the
Board of Elections to conduct the appropriate process. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED 4 TO 0.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 32
SPECIAL MEETING,OCTOBER 5,2012 PAGE 504
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chairman Barfield requested a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion: Vice-Chairman Thompson MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Berger, to adjourn the meeting.
Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED 4 TO 0.
Chairman Barfield adjourned the Special Meeting at 5:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the Board