Andrews – Longtime Alderman Steve Jordan’s appeals process and political career has at least temporarily ended with just two words in the latest order from the Supreme Court of North Carolina: “Petition denied.”
The latest order – dated Friday, Oct. 24 – ends the embattled alderman’s appeals process against a complaint filed by Alderman James Mclean in July. The order also upholds Jordan’s absence from the ballot in the Tuesday, Nov. 4, municipal election.
Jordan responded to the denial by saying, “I just love the people of Andrews and their support. I worked real hard to make the town a better place to live.”
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Jordan has served on either the Andrews Board of Alderman or the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners for more than 20 years.
Mclean said of the final judgment, “I just wanted a level playing field for everybody. I just wanted things done right.”
Mclean originally filed a complaint regarding Jordan’s eligibility requirement by claiming he did not live within the town limits. Jordan listed his address of residency as 116 Graham St.
An August hearing by the Cherokee County Board of Elections regarding that claim against Jordan resulted in a 4-1 decision against his case. Jordan then resorted to the state’s appeals process.
“The only takeaway from this is the Supreme Court ruled that Steve is not eligible to run in the city limits, I respect that decision,” Mayor James Reid said.
Jordan was recently reseated in a specially called town meeting of the Town of Andrews Board of Aldermen on Oct. 10. Amid the teeter-totter of rulings, only one week later on Oct. 17, the N.C. Court of Appeals issued a decision unanimously denying Jordan’s appeal.
Oct. 21 brought an amended order granting a temporary stay until the final appeal to the Supreme Court was decided. Reid said Jordan’s reseating to the board “will remain until his term ends, even with this new order.”
Jordan had been previously voted out of his alderman seat at the board’s September meeting.