The N&R provides a brief overview of the Skip Alston era in Guilford County politics following the commission chair’s announcement that he will not seek re-election:
Alston almost immediately made a name for himself on the board by bringing racial issues to the forefront….He also often slapped fellow commissioners with the word “racist.” He and Republican Commissioner Robert Moores once invited each other to “step outside.” Republican Commissioner Linda Shaw threw a cup of water in his face during one of their feuds.
Once, during a disagreement with African American school board member Keith Green Alston called him an “Uncle Tom” and a House Negro.”
Interesting, considering the fact that Green was no shrinking violet himself –he threw a chair at Rhino editor John Hammer during a school board retreat.
Speaking of the Rhino, the alt-weekly’s existence roughly coincides with Alston’s tenure on the county commission, so I assume they’ll quite a bit to say later this week.
