Voakes tossed from meeting as Essex council stint nears end
Far too often Essex council meetings have degenerated into a circus in recent years due to conflict between Coun. Randy Voakes and Mayor Ron McDermott. Perhaps for a final time — although there remains one last meeting later this month — the two butted heads on Monday night leading to police being called and Voakes escorted from the town’s council chambers.
Voakes was defeated in his bid for re-election earlier this month, while McDermott has announced his retirement after four terms as mayor. The new incoming council takes over in early December. McDermott on Tuesday described everything at the previous night’s meeting as “going smoothly” until near the end when the issue of marijuana retail shops in town was put on the table. Councillors took turns providing their views with some issues raised about odours created by users near such shops being a concern of other nearby retailers, the mayor said. “The views were mostly that these places are OK, but the smoke goes through to other businesses,” McDermott said.
The mayor took his turn to speak on the issue, pointing out that stand-alone buildings may be needed for such marijuana shops if opened in town.
He was discussing concerns raised by one particular business in Essex of odours and smoke, when Voakes interrupted by first calling him a “liar,” McDermott said.
Then Voakes created some astonishment by next reaching down and pulling out a small bag of marijuana in front of council.
The councillor continued to interrupt the mayor each time he attempted to continue speaking until McDermott had enough and “threw him out of the meeting” under his role as chairman of the session.
A recess was called. When council attempted to resume, Voakes tried to return to his seat. The mayor indicated he could do so only with an apology to fellow councillors.
That didn’t occur with Voakes continuing to lose his temper and eventually leading to police being called, the mayor said.
The meeting was delayed until officers arrived and escorted Voakes from the chambers, McDermott said.
Voakes did not return a message from the Star on Tuesday. “My voice just sets off something in his head,” McDermott said. “There was nothing on the agenda to set him off, but as soon as I tried to speak, then all hell breaks loose.”
With only one council meeting remaining for the pair, “I hope there is nothing that happens, but who knows,” the mayor said. McDermott mostly expressed relief how in a few weeks the new council in Essex will be able to turn the page and “this guy (Voakes) will not be around to interfere with anything.”
Incoming Mayor Larry Snively, presently a member of town council, did not return a message on Tuesday.
“The best thing is administration will not have to put up with this any longer,” McDermott continued.
“You have (potential employees) who haven’t wanted to come to Essex because of the circus. Now the town will be much better off. “Watch how things take off now for the town because these problems will be gone.”