When details of President Clinton's ``inappropriate'' relationship with Monica Lewinsky became public, Bill James saw an opportunity.

By the time he and fellow Mecklenburg County commissioners next met, James had drafted a resolution condemning Clinton's ``predatory, degrading treatment toward women.''

Democrat challenger Everette Passaly says it's James and his supporters who are wrong.

``There's a mean-spiritedness . . . they seem to be picking out a certain group and trying to persecute them.'' Passaly said. ``This is a free country - as long as people aren't hurting anybody, they have the right to exist, the same as anybody else.''

The two are vying for James' seat in a race where Passaly says James' judgmental attitude is a key issue. They're running in the county's District 6, which spans south Mecklenburg, including Pineville, Matthews and Mint Hill.

It is one of the county's wealthiest and fastest-growing areas, and home to some of its largest and most socially conservative churches.

It's that constituency that James, a CPA and father of four, has tapped into during his first term.

James helped stir one of the angriest debates in local history when he and Democrat Hoyle Martin formed a coalition to cut arts funding because of their opposition to gay themes in a Charlotte Repertory Theatre play.

Detractors describe him as narrow-minded, divisive and homophobic.

Supporters applaud his willingness to talk about uncomfortable topics such as morality, homosexuality and race.

``He is an amazingly godly man. I don't think I've ever heard him utter a vulgar word . . . `` said commissioners chairman and fellow Republican Tom Bush. ``He is absolutely brilliant and persistent when it comes to understanding local budgets . . . ``

``He needs to become less judgmental and less of an adversary and begin taking on some more statesmanlike and leadership qualities.''

Passaly, 51, is a newcomer to politics.

As a Charlotte fire captain and vice president of the firefighter's union, he's lobbied City Council leaders and management about pay and safety issues.

In 1995, he watched as commissioners wrestled over how to improve the county's MEDIC system. He got angry when they chose Carolinas Medical Center and Presbyterian Hospital to run the ambulance service instead of The Charlotte Fire Department. He says the fire department could do a better job at less cost.

The commissioners' decision to cut arts funding over the anti-gay initiative sealed Passaly's decision to get involved.

``The Bible preaches against homosexuality, but it also preaches to love one another,'' Passaly said. ``The government has no right peering into people's private lives.''

Passaly grew up in the Tryon Hills neighborhood of north Charlotte. His father was a firefighter and career military man. His mother was a textile worker. He wanted to be a firefighter from the time he turned 13.

``He tells you what's on his mind,'' said retired firefighter Dave Upton, who served with Passaly on the firefighter's credit union board. ``We're good friends, but lots of times we don't hesitate to vote against each other.

``And he won't hesitate to tell you when he thinks you're wrong.''

James moved to Charlotte from Dallas, Texas, in 1987. He worked for Price Waterhouse until 1996, saying then that he was fired for his political views. He and the company have since come to a financial settlement that prohibits either side from disclosing details.

James now works as a free-lance accountant, but actually spends most of his time on county business and child-rearing.

He and Passaly agree in some areas. Both favor neighborhood schools and oppose busing students for integration. Both oppose the county's decision to put a landfill on N.C. 521.

What they differ on is the role of morality in setting public policy.

``I promised myself when I got elected I was not going to be a politician that catered to the country club crowd and ignored the middle class . . . `` James said. ``I'm not going to compromise my religious values on the altar of consensus . . . ``

Passaly says James' politics stuck a wedge into the community.

``This county has always been compassionate. People here look out for each other,'' he said. ``Bill James doesn't understand that.''

Reach Mary Elizabeth DeAngelis at (704) 358-5239 or marye1 at charlotte.com .