Nathan Rowell, an experienced and well seasoned Attorney is running for Law Director. His greatest assist so far has been the current Law Director Bud Armstrong. Last night, Bud had to dodge, dart and bob around major questioning from a majority of the school board about his handling of the Superintendent’s contract.
Sadly, Patty Bounds attempted to shut down the discussion, saying because it was political. Patty, your election is political. However, because it was a discussion item her attempt to squash was ruled not proper and out of order. Bounds was never heard from again. Armstrong was so agitated he would repeatedly say, I am done. But no bud you were not because there were more comments coming at him and charges of he and his office having conflicts of interest.
Karen Carson and he clearly don’t like each other, it was personal. But to Carson’s credit she had gone back and watched the previous meeting catching his every word, Lynne Fugate was a tad kinder, softer and was able to get Armstrong to acknowledge he would try and do better. The librarian Rountree attempted to reword what Carson had said and was quickly apologizing for getting it wrong and remained quiet. The star of the night was Tracie Sanger, she made the best argument for his lack of response, lack of justifiable work product in a timely manner to the board and to the conflict that exist. Sanger pointed out that Armstrong was giving statements to WBIR’s Mike Donila but when the Board Chair Doug Harris asked the law director later that same day for a comment, he said he would prepare one. So he had already spouted off to the media without preparing comments about the state Attorney Generals non opinion on the Superintendents contract. Gloria Deathridge was brief, Chairman Doug Harris was brief telling Armstrong, I believe you are conflicted here. Mike McMillan and Terry Hill were very very quiet.
A source close to the Rowell campaign told me last night, Fundraising has kicked into high gear as more and more people realize bud is just a politician and unprepared to handle the job.
