The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting Thursday was shrouded in a battle of words between Republican Commissioner Joseph C. Gale and Vice Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. Before agenda items had barely scratched the surface, Gale opened his comments with strong accusations against the two majority commissioners, Lawrence and Chairwoman Dr. Valerie Arkoosh.
Beginning with a recent letter that was sent out to honor county employees for years of service, a letter that took the place of a typical ceremony due to COVID-19 gathering regulations, Gale alleged that both Arkoosh and Lawrence were purposefully leaving his name off of important county matters.
“I was contacted by multiple county employees that were very upset and insulted that my name did not appear on this letter,” said Gale. “Typically, it’s on behalf of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. This year it was on behalf of the two majority commissioners, and I was excluded without my knowing.”
Gale said that the omission was purposeful and planned. He alleged that the letter hurt others in the county.
“This was very upsetting, and this should not have taken place in Montgomery County,” he said. “It’s very insulting to the employees, and the entire purpose is to recognize their service to Montgomery County. Instead, many of which were insulted.”
Gale continued to say this was not the first time it had happened.
“This happens to be a pattern. Earlier in the month, the two major commissioners issued a proclamation for Black History Month,” said Gale. “I’ve been a Montgomery County Commissioner for five years. Four of the five years, my name was included. And after the board meeting, I learned that my name was not included.”
The republican commissioner said he felt this omission was also hurtful to others.
“The entire purpose of Black History Month is to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Americans and what they’ve made to society,” said Gale. “Instead, your vindictiveness towards me created division, and insulted others.”
He went on to state that these exclusions were part of an obsession.
“The two of you are obsessed with being vindictive towards me,” said Gale. “In reality, your spiteful, political stunts and abuse of power have hurt others. Your petty snubs and shameful actions insult the county employees, the black community, and tens of thousands of constituents who elected me twice as county commissioner.”
Further, the commissioner stated that such acts could be a sign that other illegal actions are occurring.
“If the two of you are deliberating and deciding to remove my name from proclamations and letters of appreciation without my knowing, I can’t even imagine the level of Sunshine Law violations that take place between the two majority commissioners when it comes to handling county business and awarding county contracts,” Gale stated. “This is shameful behavior, and your vindictiveness towards me is hurting others. That’s terrible.”
Following Gale’s words, Chairwoman Arkoosh attempted to move on with the meeting, but Lawrence asked if he could respond to the accusations then, or if he should wait for closing remarks.
“You can do it now,” said Arkoosh.
“Commissioner Gale. You said that we’re obsessed with you? I’m just not that into you, okay?” said Lawrence. “I don’t think of you much at all. So, say it ain’t so. I will not stand with you. I will not sign documents with you, unless they’re legally required to fill my oath of office.”
Lawrence said he would only do what was a legal obligation.
“I will sign legal documents. I will sign election certifications. If you choose to fulfill your oath of office and do that,” he said.
However, the Vice Chair stated that he would not go above or beyond those required elements of his role.
“I will not stand at ribbon cuttings with you, and if you think your participation trophy entitles you to sign ceremonial resolutions, I suggest that you get your crack legal team together — the same team that said you could run for lieutenant governor before you were constitutionally old enough to do so, the same legal team that told you that you could block constituents [on social media], and I’d advise you to sue the county,” said Lawrence.
The Vice Chair took particular offense to Gale’s reference to the black community.
“How dare you talk about the black community after the fear, division and anger that you caused with your racist statements in June,” said Lawrence. “You’re really a piece of work. You’re really a piece of work, but there’s no vindictiveness here. I take pride in my name. I take pride in who my name stands next to. I wish my name didn’t have to appear with yours on county signs.”
With that, Chairwoman Arkoosh simply stated “thank you.”
However, the accusations did not stop there. Gale offered a follow-up to the remarks.
“I know the two of you are also supporters of cancel culture,” he said. “Well, you cannot cancel me as Commissioner. I’m elected. I’ve been reelected, and I serve as county commissioner.”
Gale said that, emotions aside, he was not going anywhere.
“So, you don’t have to get along with me personally,” he said. “You don’t have to like me. You don’t have to agree with what I stand for. But you cannot cancel me as commissioner, so deal with it.”
From there, Arkoosh opted to close the issue.
“I’m just going to move on for now,” she said, moving on to public comment on the agenda items.
See also:
Racism Dispute Resurfaces During Thursday’s Montgomery County Commissioners Meeting
Editorial: Wentz Church Leadership Condemns Statements Made By Commissioner Joe Gale
Local Elected Officials Sign Statement Condemning ‘Racist Remarks’ Made By Commissioner Joe Gale
County Commissioners Spar Over Wearing Masks, Social Distancing
Gale: Totalitarian Lockdown ‘Cure’ Is Worse Than Illness, ‘Common Sense’ Is Key To Fighting COVID-19
