Forsyth County commissioners took all of three minutes yesterday afternoon to approve putting a $40 million library-bond proposal on the Nov. 2 general-election ballot.
Neither the speed of the vote nor the 4-3 outcome in favor of the referendum was a surprise. But the location of the meeting -- a hospital conference room -- was one that no one could recall experiencing.
That came about because of Commissioner Beaufort Bailey's recent surgery for an intestinal blockage. With the board's bond supporters needing Bailey's vote to forge their slim majority, the board moved the meeting to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center so that Bailey could vote.
"I've gotten more news coverage since I've been in the hospital than I did out," Bailey said, as he joked with reporters and cameramen before the meeting. Bailey was able to leave the hospital after the vote, but he must stay at home for the next two weeks.
Bailey made the motion to put the bond proposal on the Nov. 2 ballot. Joining him were Commissioners Ted Kaplan, Walter Marshall and Dave Plyler, the board chairman. Voting against having the referendum were Commissioners Debra Conrad, Richard Linville and Gloria Whisenhunt.
What the voters will decide is whether to spend up to $40 million for library improvements, including a projected $28 million for a new or renovated Central Library, and $6 million each for libraries in Kernersville and Clemmons.
Proponents have argued that Central Library is outdated and that the other two libraries are too small for the populations they serve. Opponents have said that the county shouldn't be spending the money at a time when the economy is bad.
Plyler was the only Republican to join the three Democrats in voting in favor of a bond referendum.
The chairman of the Forsyth County Republican Party, Nathan Tabor, said he hasn't heard anything from the party's rank and file about the bond proposal. Tabor said that although education is a top priority, he doesn't personally see library improvements as something that can't wait.
David Shuford, who spoke in favor of the bond vote during a recent public hearing, was one of a few people who watched yesterday's vote. He said he came to show his support.
Bailey said after the meeting that doctors performed surgery, suspecting a blockage from colon cancer, after he experienced pain in his side and went to the emergency room for tests. Bailey said that the surgery was successful, but he had not received his complete test results.
Bailey said it meant a lot to him to be able to vote for the referendum.
"It was the first time in my life that I felt important," Bailey said.
wyoung@wsjournal.com
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