Ed Strother was arrested last week, the day before he was sworn in. He is charged with beating his wife.
At least five fellow commissioners have asked Ed Strother to step down,but Strother has refused. Legally, there is nothing his fellowcommissioners or the voters can do about it.
When Strother was sworn in, he didn't mention that his wife hadsworn out a warrant, charging him with abuse, hours before he took theoath of office as a Granville County Commissioner.Court documents say Denell Strother accused her husband of throwing heragainst a door and trying to strangle her on two different occasions.Strother's fellow commissioners say they are outraged, especially whenthey hear from their female constituents, including commissioner AnnetteMyers.
The new commissioner's wife has now dropped the charges against herhusband. Some voters aren't yet ready to forget about it, however.
The situation highlights a fact that effects every county resident inNorth Carolina. State law has no provision for removing a countycommissioner from office.
Fleming Bell, a county government expert at the North Carolina Instituteof Government, explained that a felony conviction is about the only wayan elected county official can be removed from office. State law does notpermit a recall of a county vote, although some cities do.
Voters will get a chance to have their say soon, though. Strother will have to file in the May primary if he wants to keep his office.
Photographer:Joe Frieda
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