Notes from the Sunshine Trial

- News Sentinel Reporter Scott Barker raised eyebrows and more than a few chuckles when he described a scene outside the Main Assembly room during a recess of the January 31 Special Called Commission meeting.

Barker recounted observing an effort to swear-in Richard Cate to fill 4th District Commissioner John Schmid's seat. (our camera was also there)

When Schmid found out, he confronted the group which included Commissioner Greg "Lumpy" Lambert and demanded they stop. Cate did, but Lambert and Schmid, according to Barker, exchanged "harsh words" ending with an "epithet" from Lambert.

When urged to repeat the epithet, Barker replied, "he called Commissioner Schmid a peckerhead.."

Lambert, who was in the courtroom, was visibly amused by the testimony.

- 2nd District Commissioner Mark Harmon, has a reputation as a "loner" and "outsider" on County Commission. He didn't change that view with his testimony today.

He told the jury his belief that there were three factions at play on January 31 among commissioners: those aligned with then-sheriff Tim Hutchison, those aligned with Mayor Mike Ragsdale and those who were not aligned with anyone.

On January 31, Harmon supported candidate Amy Broyles to fill the 2-B seat of term-limited Commissioner David Collins.

Today, he testified that he was told it was a "done deal" for the appointment of Chuck Bolus to the 2-B seat. Bolus was nominated by Commission Chairman Scott Moore.

Who told Harmon it was a done deal? Harmon answered, Commissioner Lambert.