Watching people argue is uncomfortable. You feel like you’re invading their privacy. It’s especially difficult when you like both parties.

That’s what happened last week at the Wendell Town Board meeting when Mayor Harold Broadwell and Commissioner Sid Baynes got in a dispute over how to carry out the rules that govern the Town Board’s meetings.

Broadwell called Baynes down for speaking without being recognized. Baynes took affront at being called down and the two men discussed the matter in sharp tones as soon as the board meeting was adjourned. Everyone still in the room could have heard the discussion.

Both men are diligently working to make Wendell a better place for everyone who lives there. As one observer noted, the two men aren’t all that far apart in terms of what they think should be done to improve the town.

They are both astute town leaders who do their homework before board meetings and are actively involved in town affairs outside the twice-monthly meetings.

The pair has almost three more years to work alongside of each other. It’d be good if they could set aside their differences and learn not to take disagreements personally.

Broadwell is charged with running the meetings. He sets the rules and he guides conversation. He’s not a very gray person. Most attorneys are not. Rules, Broadwell, believes, are meant to be followed.

Baynes is expansive and fervent about issues that come before the board and he has strong opinions about certain subjects, particularly how the town spends its money. He’s willing to make his point as directly as needed.

I see an opportunity for Broadwell and Baynes to use their strengths to work together. It’ll take some compromise on both men’s parts. That can be a tall order, especially for people who are used to running their own show.

Broadwell must learn to give commissioners a little leeway to hash things out among themselves. And Baynes must learn that he will be given every opportunity to say what’s on his mind.

When disagreements like the one that took place last week take over the headlines there’s a lot of political capital expended in a battle that won’t have any winners.

That’s not a good thing at a time when the economy is putting added pressure on the local government to stay within its boundaries and when the biggest development in the town’s history is flailing in those same economic winds.

Both men are solid legislators. When everything is said and done, Wendell will be better because they served in their respective capacities.

The question is whether they will get past their obvious differences to realize their full potential as lawmakers.

I personally hope they can. It’s no fun watching other people argue.

***** On another, more pleasant, note, I hope you had time to attend Saturday’s open house at the new Zebulon Municipal Complex. The facility is truly a showcase and there was a standing-room-only crowd in the council chambers during the formal part of Saturday’s program.

Sadly rain kept the ceremonies indoors.

If you missed it, take a few minutes to wander through the building in the next few weeks. You will be glad you did.