Joint Board Suspends Webster For Calling Belardo de O’Neal ‘Whore,’ ‘Prostitute’

ST. CROIX — Board of Elections meetings this year have had less melodrama that those of 2014. But they still grow rowdy — especially during the bigger Joint Board meetings — with members speaking out of turn, over each other and, every now and again, flinging insults.

As it happens, insults were flung yesterday, coming from St. Croix Board member Glenn Webster, who called one of his female counterparts choice words such as “whore,” and “prostitute.”

The insults seemingly came from left field, as board members were arguing whether member Lydia Hendricks had voted against an amendment to a motion moved by member Adelbert Bryan. Mr. Webster, who usually records vote tally, said Ms. Hendricks did not vote on the motion to amend. For the record, a Consortium reporter did not hear Ms. Hendricks respond even after being called on to vote multiple times by Mr. Webster. However, after the vote tied 5-5, Ms. Hendricks insisted that she had voted against the amendment.

Glenn Webster

The argument became louder as board members began speaking out of turn, with no clear understanding of who was saying what. Suddenly, Mr. Webster called Mrs. Belardo de O’Neal a “whore.” He had previously called Ms. Hendricks a “liar,” to which Ms. Hendricks threatened to call him names as well — which she surmised he would not be able to handle. A five-minute recess was called.

Mrs. de O’neal, tired of Mr. Webster’s insults, suggested that he should be disciplined. Mr. Webster dug deeper, fetching another insult and calling Mrs. de O’Neal a “prostitute.”

Ms. Hendricks later motioned that the board suspend Mr. Webster after she requested a verbal or written apology from Mr. Webster, who refused.

The board suspended Mr. Webster from the next two Joint Board meetings.

Of the board members present yesterday, all the women and two men — Board Chairman Arturo Watlington (whose initial vote was against the suspension) and Raymond Williams — voting to suspend Mr. Webster. Mr. Bryan and Mr. Webster voted against the suspension, while board members Roland Moolenar and Lawrence Boschulte abstained.