The Rowan Social Services board, which has been wracked with controversy over the past year, was a a picture of camaraderie for the election of new officers Thursday.
The decision by Commissioner Frank Tadlock not to serve on the Social Services board left the chairman’s post vacant.
Board members reorganized quickly, unanimously electing Edwin Koontz as chairman through June 2001. Koontz, the retired director of the Rowan Department of Social Services, had previously served as vice chairman.
Koontz thanked board members for elevating him.
Minutes later, Koontz nominated Majorie Kinard as vice chairman. Board member Zell Setzer joined in voting for Kinard, making the vote unanimous.
In June, Setzer opposed Kinard’s reappointment to the board, nominating two other potential candidates. Since the board could not reach a decision on the appointment, it sent the decision to Rowan Resident Superior Court Judge Larry Ford. In September, Ford reappointed Kinard to a three-year term.
Later in the meeting, board member and former chairman Lee Piper said she will be splitting time between Salisbury and San Francisco over the next few months. Piper was recently married.
She noted that there is six months left on her three-year term, and she is not eligible for reappointment. She said she could attend four of the last six meetings.
“Do you want me to resign?” asked Piper.
Koontz said that to get a state appointment through would probably take six months. He asked her to serve the remainder of her term.
Piper pledged to do her best.
Board members had initially held up the start of the board meeting for several minutes pending the arrival of Commissioner Leda Belk, who was appointed to replace Tadlock.
Belk didn’t make it.
Board members and staff joked that she may have gotten lost in the building. The meeting had been moved to another location, requiring guides for most board members.
Belk said Friday that she was at another Social Services event, a graduation for a special children’s program.
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