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MOORESVILLE jmarusak@charlotteobserver.com
Police Chief Carl Robbins had to separate two candidates for local political office when they began arguing loudly face to face with one another before the start of a Mooresville Board of Commissioners meeting on Friday morning.
The argument between mayoral candidate Jared Esselman and Mooresville commissioner candidate Robert "Skip" Alexander grew so heated that Mooresville commissioner Mitch Abraham told them to take their argument outside the Town Hall meeting room.
Robbins told the Observer he allowed the men to remain in the room after they agreed to stop arguing.
Esselman is a political newcomer running for mayor in November against Mooresville commissioner Miles Atkins.
Alexander is among seven candidates in an Oct. 11 primary for Atkins' at-large seat on the Board of Commissioners
The spat came just before the 8:30 a.m. start of a Mooresville Board of Commissioners "pre-agenda" meeting.
Commissioners hold such meetings on the Friday before their regular Monday board meeting to discuss what items will come before them at their regular meeting.
The meetings are open to the public, but only a handful of residents typically attend the meetings, where commissioners generally don't vote on issues.
