ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 16, 1996 TAG: 9610160025
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PULASKI
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
The remaining two members of the Pulaski County Electoral Board will ask local Democratic and Republican party officials each to name two members to work with the board during the upcoming Nov. 5 elections.
The action Tuesday to seek bipartisan assistance followed the firing of registrar Phyllis Hanks and the resignation of her cousin, A.J. Smith, from the board Monday.
Board Chairwoman Margaret Farris and Don Sheffey voted Tuesday afternoon to make that request of both parties, following a one-hour closed session with County Attorney Tom McCarthy on personnel and legal matters.
"And I anticipate good cooperation from both parties," Farris said. "We're anxious to see that we have a good election."
The board is one member short because Smith, a longtime member who also served as its secretary, resigned at the start of another board meeting Monday. He said his truthfulness had been called into question after he told The Southwest Times there was no board meeting held Friday and the paper reported that a "secret" meeting had in fact been held, possibly in violation of state law.
On Tuesday, Sheffey, the remaining board member, confirmed that the board had gathered Friday to hear a statement from Hanks, the county registrar, but that no statement was made. Sheffey said the board probably should have announced the Friday gathering in advance.
Hanks reported to the county Sheriff's Office Sept. 19 after learning that embezzlement warrants had been issued for her. The warrants stem from her depositing three Bell Atlantic refund checks to her office, totaling $1,721, to her personal account instead of to a county account. She has since paid the county the amount in question.
She had continued working as registrar and the three-member board, with Farris dissenting, decided following a closed meeting Sept. 24 to keep her on through the election. But the board changed its mind Monday, after Smith's resignation and departure.
Circuit Judge Colin Gibb has formally accepted Smith's resignation. The board instructed McCarthy, the county attorney, to take possession of documents, keys and other board items that Smith might have.
The board also met in closed session Monday with Hanks. Sheffey said she indicated that she would step down after the election, but the board asked her instead to do so immediately and she declined. "Technically, she was dismissed," he said.
"With the election so close and the fact that we're operating under handicaps," Farris said, "we will be having right regular meetings." The board will contact the state Board of Elections to seek staffing assistance for the registrar's office.
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