Commissioner Linville takes April Fools joke in stride

Richard Linville, the Republican chairman of the Forsyth County Commission took an April Fools joke in stride today when fellow Republican commissioner Gloria Whisenhunt presented him with a framed copy of a YES! Weekly story portraying him as a robot created by Chinese scientists.

"It sure took someone some time to think up all of that," Linville said, expressing appreciation for the article at the end of a commission briefing today.

A farmer by profession, Linville took exception to only one part of the article: A photograph of him on a riding lawnmower.

"Is that the best picture you could find of me?" he asked. "At least put me on a real tractor — an International or something."

Thanks for being a good sport, Mr. Chairman.