Mark Pless' HB 279 in Senate pending floor Vote

This bill affects the process for filling vacancies on the Haywood County Board of Commissioners.

Currently, Haywood County falls under NC Statute 153A-27.1, which states that if a vacancy occurs on the HC Board of Commissioners, that vacancy will be filled by the remaining members of the Board of Commissioners. However, 153A-27.1 requires the Board of Commissioners to seek a candidate from the political party from which the individual who vacated the seat was a member, and the Board of Commissioners is mandated by 153A-27.1 to appoint that individual to fill the vacancy, if that political party submits a name within 30 days of the vacancy.

Mark Pless's bill would remove Haywood County from 153A-27.1 and place it under the requirements of NC Statute 153A-27. This statute states that the Board of Commissioners needs only to consider any name presented by the political party but is free to select anyone of their choosing.

If a Republican had held that vacant seat, this would render the Haywood County Republican Party totally irrelevant to the process of selecting who will fill a vacancy.

​Everyone reading this post, please immediately contact Senators Corbin and Hise and demand they vote NO on this bill. Time is very short, and immediate action is required.