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Buncombe County Commissioner Ellen Frost is sworn in for a second term Monday evening Dec. 1, 2014. Frost took the oath of office using the Bible of the South's first elected female legislature and Black Mountain native Lillian Exum Clement Stafford. The Borgan's are the caregivers of Stafford's 90-year-old son-in-law and former Asheville resident Win Anders. The Bible is over 100 years old with several passages underlined by the former legislator. The Bible also has a inscription written by E.S. Vanderbilt, written March 12, 1900.(Photo: William Woody / wwoody@citizen-times.com)

The top Buncombe County elected official crossed party lines Monday to elect Republican Joe Belcher as vice chairman of the Board of Commissioners.

Belcher, a Candler resident representing the south and west of the county in District 3, won on a 4-3 vote over Democrat Brownie Newman. The vote was along party lines except for what proved to be the swing vote from Chairman David Gantt, a Democrat and the only commissioner elected countywide.

Gantt made no comment about the vote. There was little other discussion about the election of vice chair, except by the commissioners who nominated Belcher and Newman.

Democratic Commissioner Holly Jones nominated Newman, calling him "a tireless proponent of education, environmental stewardship and equality." Newman represents District 1 which takes in most of Asheville.

Republican Commissioner Mike Fryar nominated Belcher. Fryar said Belcher has covered a lot of ground in the two years he's been on the board.

"He's learned a lot and he's been to 99 percent of the events that we often don't make. I have the greatest respect for him and think he would do a fantastic job in that position," Fryar said.

CITIZEN-TIMES

Buncombe County commissioners to elect vice chair

After the vote, Belcher said Newman was a good commissioner and that he was thankful for his service. Belcher said he tried to be present at schools, charity events "for those less fortunate" and to provide leadership where he could.

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Democrat majority board of commissioners pick GOP vice chair