News-Record.com

We'll have a version of this story in tomorrow's paper. Enjoy the weekend.

The N.C. Court of Appeals granted Guilford County commissioner Trudy Wade a minor legal victory Friday, but 2004 election opponent John Parks could still be named the winner soon.

The court issued a temporary stay of Wednesday's ruling by Superior Court Judge Henry Hight, who said Parks won his bid for at-large commissioner and should be sworn in as soon as possible. The stay comes during a five-day appeals period before Hight's order takes effect.

"It gets us over the first hurdle," said Robert Hunter, Wade's attorney.

The 13-month legal struggle over out-of-precinct provisional voting — and the paperwork associated with it — has wound its way through the courts and the state and local elections boards. A recount gave Parks, a Democrat, a 90-vote lead, but Wade, a Republican, has refused to concede.

Parks' attorney, Larry Moore, said he'd respond to Wade's legal action either late Friday or Monday. At that point, the appeals court will likely rule within days on whether to delay Hight's order from taking effect. Hunter has pledged to appeal the case to the state Supreme Court, if necessary.

Moore wants to see Parks certified by the State Board of Elections late next week. The candidate could be sworn in at the next commissioners meeting, now scheduled for Jan. 19.

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