Hamlet had the chance to give its residents a voice on animal control issues this week. Instead, the city council doubled down on exclusion.

Council members voted 4-1 not to expand the Hamlet Animal Control Review Board. It will continue to consist of just two members — City Manager Marcus Abernethy and Police Chief Scott Waters.

It is, to say the least, absurd to have a two-person board or committee. Making matters worse, the members aren’t even on equal footing. The police chief reports to the city manager. How often would you want to vote against your boss?

Technically, two people can form a deliberative body, according to Robert’s Rules of Order, the widely used and authoritative guide to parliamentary procedure. A tie vote means a motion is defeated for lack of a majority.

For Hamlet’s dynamic duo, that means unanimity would be required to make any changes, and either member can unilaterally choose to maintain the status quo over the other’s objections, stifling needed reform.

In politics as in sports, a tie leaves unfinished business. We’d prefer the tongue-in-cheek solution Daily Journal reader Jason Felts offered on our Facebook page: A winner-take-all game of rock, paper, scissors. It’s an odd way to vote, but then, a two-person board is decidedly offbeat.

At their Tuesday meeting, Hamlet City Council members said they saw no need to fix what isn’t broken, explaining that the current “board” is efficient and effective. While we’re sure Abernethy and Waters make a good team and can capably sort things out, that may not be true of future managers and chiefs.

Councilman Tony Clewis, who is not seeking re-election and will retire in December, was the only dissenter.

“I just think of situations where mistakes could be made,” he said. “People love their animals like they love their kids, and that’s why I’m probably going to vote opposite of all of you.”

We cast our lot with Clewis. Animal control policies have the potential for a considerable impact on Hamlet residents. The issues deserve real debate and deliberation.

Expanding the review board into a true community commission would add voices to the conversation and bring a wider range of perspectives to the table. The council could designate one seat to be filled by a veterinarian, one by an animal rescue group member and leave one or more at-large seats for Hamlet pet owners.

We can think of no good reason why Hamlet’s elected leaders wouldn’t do this — unless, that is, they don’t really want the public’s input.

Council members ought to take another look at the Hamlet Animal Control Review Board and convert it into an appointed advisory panel consisting of at least five people.

Failing that, we suggest they formalize the rock, paper, scissors voting method in the animal control board’s bylaws. If you’re going to be unorthodox, why not go all the way?

Tribune News Service photo
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A Daily Journal editorial