You have to love Florida Democrats

When their party chairman can't manage party money, then we have incidents like this. It's a contact sport down here.

Hat tip- Florida Cracker
Open Post- Bright & Early, Don Surber, Basil's Blog, Outside the Beltway,

North Fort Myers Democratic Club meeting ended with resignations, a slap, a police report and one member calling for a state committeeman's removal.

Club President Clyde Bowles called the closed meeting Nov. 16 to discuss problems and possible reorganization. Those who attended described the atmosphere as tense and explosive. There was a confrontation when two participants questioned the validity of the closed session.

Patricia Beausoleil, the wife of Democratic Executive Committee state committeeman Joe Beausoleil, struck Bowles on the right side of his face, according to a Lee County Sheriff's Office report.

Beausoleil, 77, said she hit Bowles after he called her "white trash." Bowles said he was referring to her behavior after she uttered an obscenity.Bowles filed a complaint with the Lee County Sheriff's Office, which has been forwarded it to the state attorney's office for review. He also filed a formal complaint with Karen Thurman, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, and with

Lynda Bradley, chairwoman of the Lee County Democratic Party, in an effort to get Joe Beausoleil removed as committeeman.

Patricia Beausoleil said she regretted striking Bowles but did so because he "continuously assaulted her and her husband verbally" after the two refused to leave the meeting.

"It was such an emotional thing," she said. "His behavior was unacceptable and childish."Bowles' formal complaint regarding Joe Beausoleil, 77, was discussed by the Democratic Executive Committee's local grievance committee on Monday without a resolution, Bradley said.

"I don't imagine it's going to be a quick solution," Bradley said. "I'm not setting a timetable because I want both parties to come out satisfied. The next meeting could be next week."After the committee has completed reviewing the complaint, it will make a recommendation to the state, Bradley and the parties involved.

Bradley said if Beausoleil and Bowles agree with the recommendation, the incident would end there. If they do not, the complaint would go to the state.Tempers started to rise at the meeting after Bowles and three other board members announced their resignation at what Bowles said was supposed to be a closed session."It has escalated to the point where I can no longer tolerate the kind of behavior that some of the members have shown, and I have concern for my safety," Bowles said of his reasons for his resignation.

The club, which formed in March, is one of 14 chartered Democratic clubs in Lee County. Democratic clubs and executive committees are part of the Florida Democratic Party and work together to elect Democrats at all levels of government.