In this story, the News & Observer‘s Michael Biesecker describes yesterday’s actions by Wake Commissioner Tony Gurley as “political theater.” The person who wrote the story’s headline describes the board as “crotchety.”

I couldn’t disagree more. Gurley defended the pocketbook of beleagured taxpayers. He showed a spine, not a desire for attention.

The Republicans criticized the Democrats for trying to delay needed capital projects or making one-time cuts to fund operating expenses that would recur in future years without recurring revenue to pay for it.

Commissioner Tony Gurley, along with Bryan and Paul Coble, argued that Norwalk’s plan amounted to ensuring a future tax increase. Norwalk then appeared to confirm that by saying he was not ruling out that the board might move in the next year to impose an impact fee on development or raise the sales tax by a quarter cent.

“You want to add to the budget with no hope of finding sustainable cuts,” Gurley said. “It’s irresponsible.”

Later, Gurley engaged in some political theater by signing up to speak during the public comment period, climbing down from his commissioner’s chair to speak before the board as a regular citizen. He was protesting a past meeting at which Democrat Harold Webb used his authority as chairman to muzzle Gurley.

“Quit trying to pretend we can create money,” Gurley said. “I’m embarrassed to be a member of this board of commissioners.”

“Then resign,” Commissioner Betty Lou Ward suggested.