Sunday, May 20, 2012 8:35 PM

Arguing over leadership

Democrats talk about Parker's maneuvers, future
By Janet Conner-Knox | Times Staff Writer

It was a twist many Democrats said they didnt expect. David Parker, North Carolina Democratic Party chairman, said he would resign his position a week ago Saturday and did just that. Hundreds of Democrats attended the special-called meeting in Greensboro to select a new chair. But his resignation was rejected, and Parker remains chairman. Wilson Democrats, like many across the state, are divided in their opinion about Parker staying on as chairman. Many Democrats, including Gov. Bev. Perdue and Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, said Parker will be a distraction for the party. Several weeks ago allegations of sexual harassment by Jay Parmley, the partys executive director, involving a fellow employee surfaced. Parmley resigned denying any wrongdoing. Parker along with the groups attorney oversaw a private settlement with the person who accused Parmley of the misbehavior. It was that settlement that caused some Democrats to call for Parkers resignation. Walter Dalton, Democratic candidate for governor, expressed disappointment in Parker accepting his position after resigning it. The concern is that in a few months the National Democratic Convention will be held in North Carolina while Tar Heel Democrats are divided. Wilson Democrat Dewey Sheffield said he attended the Greensboro meeting to support a friend for secretary of the party not to vote for or against Parker. Sheffield said Parker turned in his resignation knowing the resignation had to be voted on to be accepted by the majority of the people attending the meeting that day, according to Roberts Rules of Order, When youre sitting there with four aces, you dont care what the other guy has, Sheffield said. And David dealt the cards and he had four aces in his hand. No matter what he was saying, he knew what he was doing. He set the meeting date, he set the agenda. It was well planned, well thought out and well executed. Sheffield said it was not an accidental move that Parkers resignation was not accepted. The problem is you have some people right now in the state in the hierarchy of the Democratic Party, who are extremely upset. They expected to have a new chairman, Sheffield said. That meeting started 11 in the morning and lasted until 6 p.m. I sat there through the whole thing. There has never, never been an executive meeting that took that long. Sheffield said Parkers speech was great, and it inspired his troops sitting at that meeting. Whether you like him or not, it was beautiful strategy and it was beautifully executed, Sheffield said. Sheffield said there are several questions to be answered.

Is there going to be an attempt to strip the chairman of the N.C. Democratic Party from participating in the national convention? Will he be on the stage with President Barack Obama? Sheffield said he expects that topic will come up next month at the state conference in Raleigh. I was at the meeting where David Parkers resignation was rejected, said Asa Gregory, Wilson County Democratic chairman. The reason we have political parties is that its bigger than the sum of all of our egos. So one person cant define a party. It never has, never will. The Democratic Party is the party of the people if you go to the root of the word. Thats why were here. And so, I think were going to rise above this. Gwen Wilkins, serves as first vice chair and ran the meeting when Parker resigned. She said there was no way everybody would be happy with the outcome of Saturdays meeting. Its simple, the majority spoke. We live in a democracy and we, as Democrats, support fairness and a democratic way, Wilkins said. With approximately 500 SEC members and onlookers in the room, there was no way everyone at that SEC meeting was going to leave satisfied. You had 203 that voted to accept the resignation and 269 that voted to reject the resignation. Wilkins said the majority rules. We are moving forward and will continue working as one force and towards regaining control of the N.C. Legislature; maintaining control of the governors mansion and re-electing Barack Obama as president of these United States, Wilkins said. Gregory said he doesnt believe the party is imploding. They were there for six or seven hours to see things through to a resolution to make sure we elected a second vice chair and a new secretary and we elected members to the DNC everyone cared, Gregory pointed out. And the fact that they were there that long and they showed that they cared I dont care where they stood on the chair issue, theyre dedicated. And that tells me, were not fractured. Zette McArn, president of the African-American Caucus of Wilson County Chapter of the N.C. Democratic Party, attended the Greensboro meeting and said she also believes Democrats will not allow what occurred to stop the work of the party. Democrats have varying opinions, McArn said. There are many conversations across the state. As it now stands David Parker still serves as the chair of the party. McArn said Democrats will stand the test. Democrats are resilient. The African-American vote is the most loyal voting block within the Democratic Party, McArn said. They will be in place when they need to be in place. The added plus for the community is having an OFA (Obama For America) office in the mix. McArn said African-Americans will play an important role in this election. The African American Caucus is a vital auxiliary statewide and locally, McArn said. Our presence is needed to ensure we have a voice, a vote and a seat at the table when it comes to the affairs of the N.C. Democratic Party and the local Wilson County Democratic Party chapter as well. Gregory said the Democratic Party has always had a diversity of voices. He said there will always be heated exchanges in the party.

I think it is great that folks are questioning authority and trying to find out the real story, Gregory said. Thats what needs to happen. Gregory said he wants everybody to know Democrats are united. I want to be clear; we are unified, Gregory said. There are so many workers in this party that are behind the scenes. The Republicans may hold monthly meetings and people see that in the paper. They see money being spent by the Republicans. But everyone has got to understand Democrats are working every day, every week, every month. We are working and dedicated to the work. janet@wilsontimes.com | 265-7847