NOTE: The following article is one of many making their rounds on the Internet. It is reprinted here as it was received by us in E-mails. The opinions expressed are those of the Rebel Yell and are presented for your thoughtful consideration.
February 2005
Rebel Yell
Brig. Gen. Stand Watie Camp No. 1303
Sweeney Fired!
Dark, Powell and Romburg also get the ax
GEC Members "suspension" lifted
Every SCV Commander-in-Chief wants a legacy, but Denne Sweeney’s is one that he would rather not have: being the first CIC to be fired from the job.
On Thursday, February 16, a Maury County, Tennessee judge issued a temporary restraining order that effectively removed Sweeney from the SCV top leadership position. This was brought about through actions of the SCV General Executive Council on February 16.
The GEC had attempted to hold a teleconference meeting on Sunday, February 6, but were unable to convene because Sweeney had the guest code at the teleconferencing center changed. A second teleconference was successfully held the following Sunday, Feb. 13 even though Sweeney had issued a message to all GEC members saying the meeting was "illegal". During this meeting a discussion of issues was held. It was noted THAT Sweeney DIRECTED GEC NOT TO ATTEND ANY OF THESE MEETINGS.
In a second meeting convened by Lt. CIC Anthony Hodges on Wednesday, Feb. 16, a quorum was declared present with TWELVE MEMBERS ANSWERING THE ROLL CALL AND fourteen of the twenty-three GEC members PRESENT DURING PARTS OF THE teleconference. James Dark, FORMER Adjutant-in-Chief ASKED TO join THE CONFERENCE AND RECEIVED THE PIN NUMBER WHICH HE PROMPTLY SHARED WITH SEVERAL NON-GEC MEMBERS IN AN APPARENT ATTEMPT TO DISRUPT THE MEETING.
First action of the GEC was the firing of Dark, Editor-in-Chief Frank Powell, and Chaplain-in-Chief Rondel Rumburg. Because these positions require a majority vote of the GEC to hold the position, the GEC has authority to dismiss them. This was specifically ruled upon by Judge Jones as a valid exercise of the board’s authority on Page 2 of the judge’s order. The Order stated, "nor does the GEC have the right suspend or remove board members thereof unless appointed by it and/or unless if by properly removing an officer, such removal results in the loss of qualification and membership status on the GEC, and when put in context, the Court acknowledges the action taken at the special meeting of the GEC on February 16, 2005..." [The Court ratified the actions of the board in terminating Dark, Powell, Rumberg, and the voidance of the appointment of Cmdr. Chuck Norrad of California as ATM Councilman].
With regard to Sweeney’s alleged "power of suspension" to PCIC Robert Hawkins and PCIC Peter Orelebeke, the Court order stated that "Defendant Sweeney had and has no authority to suspend or remove members of the GEC..." This effectively vindicated Hawkins and Orlebeke as to their "suspensions" from the board until the Nashville convention.
In subsequent action Sweeney was dismissed as Commander-in-Chief. This was quickly followed by a series of resolutions addressing the illegal actions of Sweeney during his short term in office.
A second court hearing will be held in two to three weeks at which time a permanent restraining order may be given.
“Legal or Illegal”
It is interesting to read the comments of Sweeney supporters. Two of their favorite words are “legal” and “illegal.” When Sweeney chose to ignore or twist the SCV Constitution to accomplish any or all things these are the same people that saying it was “legal.” However, when members of the SCV General Executive Council called him to task, their acts were quickly deemed “illegal.” This gives cause to wonder if any of them have taken the trouble to read our governing document.
PCIC Ron Wilson established the pattern, which Sweeney quickly adopted and expanded. Wilson’s suspension of Charles Hawkins from the position of army commander for the Army of Northern Virginia is, and will remain, blight on the organization’s history. Hawks had defeated Wilson crony Kirk Lyons in a hotly contested race for the ANV top officer. This did not set well with Wilson. Although the General Executive Council considered Wilson’s charges against Hawks and dismissed them, after the GEC had gone home Wilson declared Hawks out and appointed Chris Sullivan, an ally from South Carolina, to the position. Though the majority of the GEC did not agree, they chose the “path o! f peace” and permitted this illegal act to stand.
Upon taking office as Commander-in-Chief, Sweeney quickly discovered that his faction on the Council was a minority and something had to be done. To gain the tilt in his direction, two of the GEC, Robert L. Hawkins and Peter Orlebeke, were suspended and would remain so until the General Convention decided their fate. Although the SCV Constitution very explicitly states “All questions affecting the election, eligibility and conduct of General Officers shall be referred to and determined by the General Executive Council,” ArticleVIII, Section 9.
Although the Internet crowd is screaming the acts of the General Executive Council on February 16 are “illegal,” the GEC was acting properly under this provision when Sweeney was terminated as Commander-in-Chief and, therefore, adhering to the constitution. It is unfortunate that a court had to decide and enforce this provision, but the flagrant disregard for our governing document could not continue. Herein lies the problem: The Past Commanders-in-Chief, the “Old Bulls,” “The Grannies,” and an assortment of other degrading titles, are standing firm in protecting our written constitution and preserving the integrity of the association. Therefore, “we need to get rid of them.”
Those individuals supporting a disregard for our constitution should prepare themselves. If they willingly stand by or support the distortion or corruption of our written rules in order to gain political advantage, then they must prepare to have this same distortions and rule bending applied to them when they do not have advantage. And they can be assured if this pattern is permitted to stand, that day will come.