So, the two appeals have been filed, and the "investigative panel" chosen by Maine State Republican Chair Richard M. Cebra has met and heard testimony.
Penobscot County Republican Committee's illicit election held on January 17, 2013 has been all over the web and in the newspaper, and one would expect that that committee would surely be following their bylaws in the wake of that scandal, right?
Wrong!
The Penobscot Committee is going to meet and vote on a change of bylaws.
Now, let me remind the reader that the current bylaws are specific in its definition of a voting member. As mentioned repeatedly on this very site, there are fewer than 40 voting members. That breach was the reason for both appeals.
Now, let me remind the reader that the current bylaws are specific in its definition of a voting member. As mentioned repeatedly on this very site, there are fewer than 40 voting members. That breach was the reason for both appeals.
Remember: In order for a person to be a voting member, he or she must have paid his or her dues at the May 2012 meeting if they went to that meeting in person and by August 2012 at the very latest, and that deadline is only if they mailed their dues in.
Furthermore, if any member misses three consecutive meetings, that member is no longer a voting member.
But today, May 23, 2013, when Wanda Lincoln, County Committee Secretary sent out her invitation to the members of the committee to well over 100 people, she also sent this document:
Apparently, emboldened by the rampant corruption, Maine State Republican Chair Rich Cebra's absolute refusal to even REQUEST that the Penobscot County Chair abide by the bylaws, and by the fact that the outcry has been so small, the disputed Chair, Deb Plowman is going to swoop in even more non-voters to vote in a new set of bylaws.
Now, to be clear, I agree that these bylaws need to be changed, and in fact, my husband (the first appellant Ken Anderson) and my friend (the second appellant Bryan Daugherty) were instrumental in those proposed bylaws. And I am certain that they would pass, even without Deb Plowman's inclusion of even more illicit voters than voted at her election.
And the plot sickens.
Pertinent Links:
Penobscot County Committee Bylaws, which are still in effect as of this writing
The list of members" who paid dues on or by the entirely irrelevant date of November 29, 2012