At County Administration Building, a Strong Show of Support for Elections Boss Sherbet

By Robert Wilonsky Fri., Jan. 28 2011 at 3:42 PM

Categories: Politics

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Sam Merten

[Update at 5:28 p.m.: The Elections Commission voted, 4-1, to make Toni Pippins-Poole the "temporary" elections administrator for Dallas County. Which isn't the half of it. Sam will be up in a little while from what he calls "a frustrating" afternoon spent at the Dallas County Administration Building.]

Sam's at the Election Commission meeting at this very moment, down at the County Administration Building on Elm, and he says it's "filling up fast." He counts about 75 in attendance, including many former political foes and precinct chairs from both parties who've been taking turns standing up in the commissioners court to voice their support for Dallas County Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet.

The meeting will take place in the Fox conference room, and, at the moment, it remains closed to the media and public. Jonathan Neerman, head of the Dallas County Republican Party, continues to try to make it an open meeting; Darlene Ewing, his Democratic counterpart, says it will at least begin in private, since it's a meeting dealing with personnel issues -- and since there's not a quorum of county commissioners in attendance.

Sam reports back that Dallas County Sheriff's Department deputies are out to keep the peace, and they're not allowing anyone inside the building holding a sign -- and there are many. They are also threatening to remove people for "outbursts." Also, as you can see from the photo, folks are wearing T-shirts in support of Sherbet

Sherbet is spending the meeting away from the meeting.

"But if they could just guarantee me a two-year contract at the same salary -- just because I know I'm going back into a very difficult situation where I know two members on the commissioners court don't want me in this position -- I'll go back," he tells Unfair Park. "I was ready to move on. I was ready to go on to whatever the next adventure was until something unbelievable happened -- a show of support like something I never imagined in my life. And it's come from people I have never known who said I touched their lives and did a good job. They saw something they thought was wrong and stood their ground, and I owe it to every single person who reached out to me. It's been unbelievable. But I am willing to face whatever I have to face to do my job. And I'm sure it's a long-shot, but it's the only reason I am considering this."

Sam just sent word that Jenkins will take questions from the media after the meeting, which began 10 minutes ago. Sam will post a full recap upon his return. Me, I'm heading to City Hall right now.

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Michael Flusche is a used rag
it's been common knowledge for years, that Toni has yearned over Bruce's job. Lately, she's been coached by Commissioner Price's assistant. With mayor elections, proposals,Texas ID and such, and the implimentation of new laws, guess who is in the catbird's seat? Oh, don't forget the re-districting, too! And the added plus, of a Presidential election in a year, bet that's going to be fun. 900+ precincts and a half deptment of personnel that know what to do and the other half with out a clue. Because....... there's going to be an Exodus. Bruce was the tip of the niceberg, now that the heat is on, it's going to go faster that global warming. All you folks still in the deptment..get out whiley is getting is still good.Bad vibes are a coming.
Sam's story above, just posted, explains the voting.
Please correct the lede of your story. The vote was not 4-1. The vote was 3-2, with Ames, Warren and Jenkins voting against the proposal to keep Bruce on, Neerman and Ewing for the proposal. This is a shameful day for Democrats in Dallas County.
As a Democratic activist, it was plain to me from the start that Clay was knowingly joining the JWP/Royce West team - and excited about it. I expect him to keep delivering in order to get his payoffs. Clay used his sharpness to get where he wants to be.
I understand your hesitance but keep your precinct together, advised and working on issues they care about. My suggestion is to always follow the way of honesty, conviction and respecting others even though they may seriously disappoint you. I know it's corny, but it's always been true. I find myself in that position right now with Clay Jenkins. I knew what to expect from John Wiley. That's not a surprise. But I had hoped that Clay would show some courage and "grow a couple." He's smart so that part of the job he can handle. But the hardest part of that job and the most important is leading. This shows us he cannot lead. We've been down that road before. We're there again. The sad part of this is we will never know if Toni Pippins Poole is up to the job on her own merits. JWP has done her a grave injustice. As a woman, I want her to succeed. But now she has a hill to take that resembles the Korengal Valley. But again, to JWP this is not about her. It's about him. And unfortunately she went along. That department is about to confront its toughest issues -- a contested and open mayoral election and redistricting -- and a very tough issue it's never confronted -- implementing Voter ID which, when passed and signed by Gov Goodhair, will take effect June 1 because it has emergency designation. The dept. will be heavy scrutinized by the Texas Sec. of State's Office and the Justice Department during both, not to mention the media and the remaining members of the Commissioner's Court. We will see, possibly, the sudden exit of very valuable long-time professional employees of the department on top of those things. Government has to function and function well. It's not always about the politics. As I always tend to remind folks, these are the people who make the trains run on time. That's very important. And my good karma goes out to all of them.
Thanks Brenda, I am shocked by the result. I have to think long and hard about who I will work for. Long and hard about what direction I will take my very strong precinct.
I hope you are correct. Considering this maneuver by Jenkins and the recent political purges in the DA's office, it doesn't seem that Democrats fear the voters. And of course Price and West stand behind the curtains pulling the strings.
Sorry Jay D. I replied to the wrong post. But my last sentence stands.
Jay -- his margin of victory in the general was very very small. I'm talking the primary. He will be picked off in the primary. Just like all bad republicans are picked off in the primary, so are democrats.
Pro Bruce: Ewing and Neerman Anti Bruce: Ames, Warren and Jenkins
If you'd been following this story you would know the other committee members are John Ames, John Warren and of course Clay Jenkins himself. Quit making this partisan.
You dream. This is Dallas County. Two-thirds of the Democrats will vote the straight ticket without even looking at the names....I mean...who has time for names?
My English teacher called me. Ouch. What was the vote? Who voted to oust our Bruce? And for that matter who voted to keep Bruce? Going to KERA for an update now; 6:19pm
What was the vote WHO voted to oust our Bruce? Name the names please.
The vote was 3-2. Two dissenters were the county party chairs Ewing and Neerman. I was there. It was obvious by 4 pm the fix was in. If Bruce's supporters were to prevail, the committee meeting would have needed to be cancelled. I spoke with Bruce at 9:15 this morning. The press has reported the story accurately with a few additional facts -- one being that John Wiley Price presented a letter of resignation to Bruce that JWP had drafted but Bruce refused to sign it. He then submitted his own letter of resignation. Although Judge Jenkins is obviously not politically adept enough to realize it yet, but he is irreparably damaged goods. He is not re-electable.
So which JWP or Jenkins staff member is Garland Guy?
In what possible alternate universe is that good?
JJ: Use your mouse to scroll up to the top of this page.
I heard from someone there that it was 3-2. Guess we'll have to wait for Sam to report.
Which makes today's action all the more pleasing.
Thanks for bringing a racist perspective to this board.
So the coup de tat is complete. Apparently JWP is the bossman in Dallas County now. The Don Hill fiasco will have nothing on JWP when this is done. Don't get all paranoid now Jenkins, those FBI guys in the van down the street will at least knock before they break down your door. The thugs you aligned yourself with won't knock and they will make it look like a 'murder-suicide'. Enjoy it while you can!
I would guess that Neerman was the dissenter.
"The Elections Commission voted, 4-1" Do you know who the five voters were, and which one dissented?
So Sherbet is out? Good.
Glad to see democracy working.
How many people do at their jobs? That is just ridiculous.
Is this some kind of plot to throw a wrench in the upcoming mayoral electathon? Leppert decrees that yes, he won't run again, but due to the problems with the elections dept, he'll just go ahead and make himself King of Dallas?
For those inquiring about the "I Support Bruce" t-shirts, there are 50 shirts available for free at the County Administration Building right now, while supplies last. After today, contact the Dallas County Republican HQ.
He didn't provide "equity".
Cornrow malfunction, I think.
Question: how did this all start? What I mean is...did he just walk in to work, get this email, like, "Hey, election comm meeting, specifically, we want someone else in your job, so, scram?"