Commissioners spar over prior 'no' vote and alleged press contact

A tense exchange occurred on the dais during discussion of the debt millage item on Sept. 23 when Commissioner Perrine questioned Commissioner Martin about a prior 'no' vote and alleged press involvement. Perrine said the board had worked for months and felt blindsided when a no vote appeared; she asked Martin to explain her earlier position. "We're all blind sighted by that because we've worked for months on this and we have no idea why you just said no," Perrine said.

Commissioner Martin responded that she had revisited the item, conducted research and changed her position: "I went back. I did research, and I changed my position." Martin said she re-read and reconsidered the matter and apologized that others had not waited for her explanation. The exchange included repeated requests for clarification and reflected underlying differences in priorities that were later reflected in recorded votes.