Norwood and Boswell clash during meeting

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Jan. 6, 2004
Shortly after the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors chose Joe Norwood as its new president, he and longtime Supervisor Ray Boswell became ensnarled in a bitter exchange of words.
Boswell became upset when Norwood reminded county resident Tommy Corn he had five minutes to speak to the board during its regular Monday meeting. Boswell said his own five minutes could go to Corn.
Norwood, however, ruled Boswell out of order and said that only he could use his own time.
Boswell, though, grew angry. And when he had a chance to talk, he said the board of supervisors is in bad shape if "we can't let taxpayers come before this board and talk and let their concerns be known."
Norwood, first elected in November 2002, won his first four-year term last fall. Boswell, who served on the board from 1988 to 1996 and again since 2000, also won another term last fall.
Supervisors took the oath of office for a new four-year term on Sunday. Then, one day later, supervisors chose Norwood as the board president and Supervisor Eddie Harper as vice president.
Boswell's exchange
Boswell did not vote on the nominations. He did, however, lash out at Norwood's enforcement of the five-minute rule for public comment. Boswell also complained about being ruled out-of-order.
Boswell: "If you want, Mr. Norwood, to put me out of order, you can do that any time you want to. If you want to instruct the sheriff over there to arrest me, you'll just have to do that. But you're not going to quiet me down. I'm a member of this board just like you or anybody else."
Norwood: "I'm not trying to, sir."
Boswell: "You're not going to do that to me, I'll tell you that. I just want you to know that right up front. Right from the very beginning."
Norwood: "What's your point sir?"
Boswell: "That you're not going to dictate to Ray Boswell."
Norwood then explained that people will have five minutes to speak during the general good and welfare section of the supervisors' meeting a procedure that has been board policy in the past.
Norwood: "Anything else, sir?"
Boswell: "Don't push me, buddy."
Norwood: "I'm not pushing you, sir."
Norwood's side
After the meeting Norwood defended his enforcement of the five-minute rule. Norwood said he believes that is enough time; if people need more time, he said, they can attend supervisors' work sessions.
Norwood said he also will ask people to turn off their cell phones and ask them not to hold conversations inside the boardroom while the board of supervisors is in session.
Harper said he is prepared to serve as vice president after attending supervisor work sessions and meetings for nearly a year and being involved with the supervisors during the transition period after his election.