18-15 vote falls short of three-quarters majority required
By Anna Isaacs
Thursday, March 11, 2010
SGA City Council Liaison and former president Jonathan Sachs evaded impeachment last night after an emotional hour-long debate that yielded a majority too small to push Sachs out of the organization.
The Student Government Association legislature voted in favor of impeaching Sachs 18-15 but failed to achieve the three-quarters vote needed. Throughout the meeting, Sachs’ supporters — which included College Park Mayor Andy Fellows, at least four city council members, University Senate Chair Elise Miller-Hooks and students — praised Sachs’ dedication and involvement, while detractors blasted Sachs for a poor attendance record and for shirking his obligations to the SGA.
Sachs, who made it clear he felt the entire proceeding was a waste of time, was the first person to ever be brought before the legislature for impeachment. As a result, the legislature had to vote on how to go on before a vote could even take place. The approved procedure was drafted by Speaker of the Legislature Kelley Chubb in what some said was an unfair arrangement.
Vice President of Finance Andrew Steinberg said allowing legislators to vote anonymously wouldn’t hold them accountable for their actions, and Sachs argued the motion to impeach him should have never passed in the first place.
“There was no support for this motion anywhere,” Sachs said. “I think [Chubb] exercised very bad leadership in this case. ... The legislature should be dealing with more important things.”
But SGA representatives voted overwhelmingly in favor of the procedure, which allowed one hour for debate, and every member present was required to vote.
Sachs gave a speech to the legislature before the floor opened for debate, in which he promised to attend all future meetings and reprimanded those spearheading the impeachment initiative for bringing personal biases into the organization.
“We all look ridiculous at the moment for entertaining this charade. It’s hurting our credibility,” he said.
Others echoed him, saying the attention paid to technicalities as opposed to Sachs’ contributions was petty. Sachs has missed 13 SGA meetings without excuse this year.
“I do not think those absences alone should warrant impeachment,” SGA representative Brian Lentz said. “His purpose is to develop relationships and push student initiatives.”
Leonardtown legislator Andre Beasley said other SGA legislators should be held to the same standards and held accountable for shirking duties such as compiling constituent outreach reports every month. Neglecting this responsibility, Beasley said, is equal in SGA rules to one unexcused absence.
“We have to apply these rules equally, and we have to apply them to everybody in the organization,” Beasley said.
But while Sachs had 13 absences, no other SGA representative had close to half that amount, according to attendance records. Senior Vice President Elliott Morris took a different route, saying he found Sachs’ 13 absences “personally offensive” and minimized the consequences of voting to impeach Sachs.
“All you are agreeing is to say someone should look into his attendance record,” he said to the legislature. “Do your job.”
Those who came to the meeting in support of Sachs, however, said they have felt anything but neglected.
“I find [Sachs] to be an active participant with the council,” council member Stephanie Stullich told the legislature. “I think he is widely regarded as a very conscious, thoughtful and intelligent member of the deliberations.”
Although Sachs walked away from the meeting scot-free, arts and humanities legislator Kenton Stalder, who made the original motion to impeach Sachs, said he was satisfied with the outcome.
“I think the point was made,” Stalder said. “I think the motion was successful, and I’m content with the results.”
And for his part, Sachs said he was just glad it was over.
“I’m excited about moving forward,” he said. “And I think that’s the best I can do.”
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