Baxter v. DANNY NICHOLSON, INC.

I agree with the ultimate holding of the majority opinion, but write further to clarify important constitutional principles and to emphasize the importance of the continuity in government that is essential for a stable and ordered society. I begin with an analysis of the relevant constitutional provisions because the “North Carolina Constitution expresses the will of the people of this State and is, therefore, the supreme law of the land.” In re Martin, 295 N.C. 291, 299, 245 S.E.2d 766, 771 (1978) (citation omitted).3

*838The North Carolina Constitution distinguishes between elected and appointed…