By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost
Kannapolis native Carl Ford is the new chairman of the Rowan County Board of Commissioners.
Ford, who spent more than a decade running for the board, won the election for chairman in less than five minutes.
The 51-year-old China Grove broadcaster emerged as the surprise winner. Ford is the first newly elected commissioner in recent history to be selected as chairman.
Vice Chairman Chad Mitchell and Commissioner Jon Barber had both sought the chairman’s seat.
Ford drew support from fellow Republican Mitchell and Democrat Tina Hall.
Democrat Raymond Coltrain, also elected to the board in November, nominated Republican Barber for chairman. Reading from a prepared statement, Coltrain cited Barber’s experience in management at Eastman Kodak.
While Barber lost the chairman’s post on a 3-2 vote, he was unanimously selected as vice chairman.
Barber, of Mount Ulla, is an employee of the Rowan-Salisbury School System and won a seat on the board in 2006.
Ford expressed his appreciation to outgoing Chairman Arnold Chamberlain and Commissioner Jim Sides for their guidance and assistance.
The early part of the Monday afternoon meeting included tributes to Chamberlain and Sides as well as a reception honoring the outgoing and incoming board members.
A large crowd turned out for the board changes. Dozens stood as Clerk of Court Jeff Barger administered the oath of office to Coltrain and Ford.
Coltrain, 59, a retired superintendent of Piedmont Research Station, became the second Democrat on the board, the first time two Democrats have served simultaneously in nearly 20 years.
Coltrain urged commissioners to work together as they face challenges.
Following tradition, both Sides and Chamberlain received gifts from the county for service.
In the past, gifts have included paintings and various art objects. In this case, County Manager Gary Page opted to give the departing board members money. He presented both with oversized checks for $500.
Chamberlain said every penny and more will go to nonprofit agencies.
Sides said the county will be getting the check back. He will pay the $800-plus monthly cost of the county health insurance program.
Chamberlain called serving as county commissioner one of the highest honors of his life. He went on to thank residents for electing him to the “servant leadership” post.
Looking back over his eight years on the board and two years as chairman, Chamberlain noted all commissioners have personalities.
“Mine is strong,” he said. “I’m not apologizing.”
Chamberlain said he will have more time to spend with his family and his guardian ad litem work.
He offered one final bit of direction: “If you need me for anything, call one of these guys,” he said motioning toward the newly seated board.
Chamberlain and Sides got a standing ovation from the board and the spectators.
Sides acknowledged he regrets losing in last month’s election, but expects to be back in 2010. He said he hopes to be the first person to serve three non-consecutive terms. His first term was 1980 to 1984.
“I’ve given it my all,” he said.
He cited advice from his mother, Phyllis, who has attended most of the board meetings for the past four years. Sides said she has been his biggest fan and toughest critic.
Her advice was to quit complaining about the job and do it. He passed that along to Ford and Coltrain.
Page, who has been county manager for six months, noted that Sides has better prepared him for the upcoming budget.
Sides was always asking or e-mailing for more information. “You kept me on my toes. You’ve got me in better shape,” Page told Sides.
Among those who attended the board reorganization session were several former commissioners, including 16-year board member Newton Cohen and Steve Blount, who served 12 years.
Bill Cowan, who served more than two years as county manager and now heads a development firm in Pinehurst, also attended.