(Roanoke)County Dems seek to remove chairman

Roanoke Times ^

[Gopher Broke]

County Dems seek to remove chairman

"Misfeasance and negligence" were cited as reasons to strip Richard Evans of his office.

By Reed Williams 981-3334

The Roanoke County Democratic Committee moved to dismiss its chairman after a squabble that led to the cancellation of Saturday's party caucus.

Committee members sent Richard Evans a letter saying that "by unanimous consent of those present" they voted to "initiate proceedings to consider your removal from office."

It is a rare move that no other local Democratic committee across the state has made in at least the past two years, as far as state party officials could recall.

Mark Mandell, the Roanoke County committee's vice chairman, cited "misfeasance and negligence" as reasons for the vote.

"Unfortunately, there's a history of multiple issues and problems that Richard Evans has created," Mandell said.

Evans could not be reached for comment, but long-time committee member Betty Hosp said Evans asked her to speak on his behalf.

"Under his leadership, the committee has achieved a standard of excellence," said Hosp, a member of the committee for more than 40 years.

Evans contacted members Friday night to cancel Saturday's caucus.

"The reason that the meeting this morning was cancelled was because there had been some confusion over two conflicting announcements in the paper," Hosp said.

The faction that opposed Evans placed an ad that was published in The Roanoke Times on Dec. 24. It announced Saturday's caucus and set a Dec. 31 registration deadline for anyone seeking to be elected a committee member at the caucus.

Then on Dec. 28, Evans ran an ad that was labeled a correction to the previous ad. Evans' ad announced the caucus but said people could register up until the start of Saturday's meeting.

Hosp said that Evans had submitted his ad before the other members submitted theirs, and added that it is the chairman's job to make announcements about the party's caucus.

Hosp and Mandell declined to explain the reasons behind the disagreement about the registration deadline.

Evans had faced a competing candidate, Brian Lang, in his bid to remain chairman.

On Saturday morning, some Democrats appeared puzzled when they arrived at the Roanoke County Administration Center to find a sign from Evans announcing the meeting's cancellation. Members regrouped at a nearby restaurant, where they took the vote.

An e-mail from Evans to committee members said: "I deeply regret the necessity of this action and the inconvenience to all. This action was taken only after consultation with many others on the committee and deep thinking and soul searching on my part."

Under state party guidelines, local Democratic committees are supposed to hold their elections by Wednesday. Mandell said the committee would ask state party officials for an extension.

Richard Cranwell, chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, said that party officials would grant the request.

"My guess is we'll get the county committee organized by the end of January," Cranwell said. "All will be well in Christendom."

Evans, meanwhile, has 14 days to respond to the committee's move to dismiss him. Hosp declined to comment on what Evans plans to do.

As is the case in the county, Roanoke's Democratic committee also has been divided in recent years.

The city's committee was divided since before the 2006 city council election when a slate of "independent Democrats" swept three council seats.

Tony Reed, who had vowed to help unite city Democrats, was elected chairman in the city committee's reorganizational meeting last month.

[twigs]

My French teacher in HS was a Mrs. Hosp in Roanoke and she was a dem. I was in her class when she learned that Richard Nixon won the presidency. She about had a very dramatic meltdown and the class could hardly contain themselves. I think that her name may have been Betty; if not, then my teacher was certainly a relative.

[DUMBGRUNT]

Off topic but related,a bit of history.

“Go For Broke”

442nd Regimental Combat Team

http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/nisei/index3_442nd.html