Ike Brown is back on the Democratic Party’s state executive committee and Sam Hall, the party’s executive director of less than a month, is out as a result of a weekend meeting called by some committee members.
Their action would appear to overturn earlier decisions to prevent Brown’s return to power and hire Hall, who managed Supreme Court Justice Jim Kitchens’ successful campaign.
Some Democrats are questioning the legality of the weekend meeting. Party chairman Jamie Franks and parliamentarian Earle Banks sent out a notice before the meeting that said it was illegal.
Party vice chairwoman Barbara Blackmon, who chaired the meeting, said it was legal and that a quorum was present. Franks, who was out of town at the time, is now trying to schedule another one for next month. He has repeatedly tried to keep Brown off the executive committee, a body that is in charge of setting party policy.
Asked if she knew about the upcoming meeting, Blackmon said, “I’m not aware of that, but I’ll be there.”
As for Hall’s status, Blackmon said committee members “felt the initial process (of hiring him) did not conform to the constitution.” They voted to reopen the selection process, she said.
Natalie Chandler
Clarion Ledger
3/21/9
Magnolia Tribune
