Wed
Jan 24 2007
12:31 pm
Who will fill the vacancies?
By: R. Neal

There won't be any names on any ballots because there won't be an election and it appears there will be no public debate, so voters of Knox County will have no vote and no voice in who County Commission appoints as replacements for the Knox County government vacancies created by the term limits decision.

People are being urged to contact their County Commissioners, who will vote on the replacements in a special Jan. 31st meeting, to let them know who they support (or oppose).

The problem is, with no ballot it's hard to know who is being considered other than those who have publicly declared their intent to seek appointment.

Here is my best effort* at compiling a list of those who have declared or have otherwise been the subject of speculation. The term limited officeholder is listed next to each office in parenthesis. Please note any corrections, updates, or additions in comments.

UPDATE: The Knoxville News Sentinel has just launched a new web page with candidate letters of intent, resumes, etc.

UPDATE: Props to KNS for putting up the aforementioned website. This is a great public service in the absence of same by Knox County.

NOTE: The KNS says at the website that candidates have until Jan. 29th to submit a letter of intent to County Commission. Somehow I missed that. Does anyone know if they will only consider candidates who submit a letter?

County Commission 1st District (Diane Jordan):

Lewis Logan
Janara Frazier
Evelyn C. Gill
Nick Della Volpe
Josh Jordan
Helen Lewis

2nd District (Billy Tindell):

Cortney Piper
Jonathan Wimmer
Amy Broyles
Chuck Williams

4th District (John Schmid, Phil Guthe):

Mike Alford
Lee Trammel
Ed Shouse
Elaine Davis
Lisa Bogaty
William H. Daniels
Scott Davis
John Patrick Deatherage
Archie Ellis
Joan Wagner
Craig Fischer
Richard Cate

5th District (John Griess):

Tom Salter
Kyle Philips
Marylin Cobble
Robin Butler
Brian Hornback

6th District (Mark Cawood):

Sharon Cawood
Charles S. Giles
Jimmie Shelton
Randy Williams

8th District (John Mills):

Gary Koontz
James C. Eubanks
Jack Huddleston

9th District (Larry Clark):

Gary Underwood
Randy Hinton
Rob Huddleston

Register of Deeds (Steve Hall):

Sherry Witt
Scott Emge

Trustee (Mike Lowe):

Fred Sisk
Craig Leuthold

County Clerk (Mike Padgett):

Billy Tindell
George Stooksbury
Carolyn Carter Jensen

Sheriff (Tim Hutchison):

J.J. Jones
Tom Spangler
Bobby Waggoner
Lee Trammel
Todd Cook
Scott Moore
Randy Tyree
Larry Hunter
Isa Infante

Others (unspecified seats):

Harry Sherrod

(*Sources: Knoxville News Sentinel, Halls Shopper, Michael Silence, KnoxViews.)

Topics:
Number9's picture

Hornback?

Submitted by Number9 on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 12:44pm.

Judging from how uncharacteristically quiet Chairman Hornback has been I would venture a guess he is on the short list for District Five. On the QT so to speak.

R. Neal's picture

Yes, it will be interesting

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 12:46pm.

Yes, it will be interesting to see who is not on this list (or not listed for a specific office) gets an appointment.

(P.S. It will also be interesting to see who on this list shows up at the candidate's forum on Monday.)

scottfrith's picture

8th District

Submitted by scottfrith on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 12:46pm.

Gary Koontz has announced that he is seeking appointment to the 8th district seat.

R. Neal's picture

Thanks, updated.

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 12:49pm.

Thanks, updated.

Tao4Now's picture

David Kiger

Submitted by Tao4Now on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 1:13pm.

I have a written statement in hand from David Kiger saying that he will not seek appointment to the Ninth District open seat, so you may want to update your list.

"It is not the writer's task to answer questions but to question answers." -Edward Abbey

R. Neal's picture

Thanks, done.

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 1:15pm.

Thanks, done.

R. Neal's picture

P.S. What do you hear about

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 1:18pm.

P.S. What do you hear about Greg Pinkston? Georgiana Vines said on Michael Silence's blog that his name had surfaced, but Paul Pinkston said "that's a lie."

Tao4Now's picture

No word on Greg Pinkston

Submitted by Tao4Now on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 2:14pm.

I haven't heard one way or another on Greg, and I'd be astounded if he was in the mix, but I'll get on it.

"It is not the writer's task to answer questions but to question answers." -Edward Abbey

Lisa's picture

Koontz In or Out?

Submitted by Lisa on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 1:47pm.

>>>Submitted by scottfrith on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 11:46am.
Gary Koontz has announced that he is seeking appointment to the 8th district seat.

-------------------

Did you speak directly and recently to him? Last I heard, he was NOT in the running.

scottfrith's picture

Koontz

Submitted by scottfrith on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 1:56pm.

Koontz's announcement was in the Shopper-News this week. Of course, this entire process is so fluid, that may have changed.

Number9's picture

another one for District Six

Submitted by Number9 on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 12:56pm.

I don't remember the gentleman's name but on the YouTube of the Commission meeting a Larry Smith supporter made his bid for Sharon Cawood's proposed seat. Lumpy and Mark Cawood were not amused. Lumpy is not a match for Larry Smith. If there was a "vote them off the island" procedure in County Commission Lumpy would be in trouble.

R. Neal's picture

So, I should list "some guy

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 1:19pm.

So, I should list "some guy from #9's YouTube"?

If he's a player, he should be reading this and letting us know!

Number9's picture

Not on YouTube yet...

Submitted by Number9 on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 1:30pm.

So, I should list "some guy from #9's YouTube"?

If he's a player, he should be reading this and letting us know!

Part VII is still being prepared.

The gentleman is Charles S. Giles II of the Solway community in District 6.

I will make a separate YouTube for his announcement. Look for it later tonight.

R. Neal's picture

Updated, thanks!

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 1:32pm.

Updated, thanks!

Number9's picture

Here it is.

Submitted by Number9 on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 5:37pm.

So, I should list "some guy from #9's YouTube"?

If he's a player, he should be reading this and letting us know!

Part VII is still being prepared.

The gentleman is Charles S. Giles II of the Solway community in District 6.

I will make a separate YouTube for his announcement. Look for it later tonight.

Charles Giles was the only applicant to address County Comission on Monday. Here is the YouTube video.

(link...)

BlueNeck1's picture

Scott Davis is listed as

Submitted by BlueNeck1 on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 1:52pm.

Scott Davis is listed as interested in the 4th District on the News Sentinel website. He is listed 4th and 5th above - is it the same person?

R. Neal's picture

Probably my mistake. He

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 1:54pm.

Probably my mistake. He should be listed in the 4th. Fixed, thanks.

Number9's picture

Not sure about Davis...

Submitted by Number9 on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 2:11pm.

Probably my mistake. He should be listed in the 4th. Fixed, thanks.

The Sentinel reported Davis as seeking the Fifth District. I believe that is correct. He is a former County Commissioner and close personal friend of Mayor Mike Ragsdale.

If memory serves he was a one timer in the 1990's when Mike Ragsdale and Mike Arms were on Commission. Some have recalled some temper issues but Commission is a lively place and that could be subjective. He is a prominent developer and home builder. Sounds more like a candidate for MPC...

The Sentinel reports Harry Sherrod seeking one of the Fourth District Seats.

R. Neal's picture

Davis' letter on the new KNS

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 2:19pm.

Davis' letter on the new KNS site says 4th.

Will check on Sherrod.

R. Neal's picture

Also, Davis says he will not

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 2:25pm.

Also, Davis says he will not run in 2008. From his letter:

I have been asked if I would be willing to represent the 4th district until an election can be held next year. I would not run for reelection in 2008.

After thoughtful prayer and consideration and most importantly, my wife’s and daughters’ blessings, I would like to submit my name for consideration for appointment to one of the 4th District seats.

As you know, the 4th District is the only District losing both representatives. Having been previously elected and having served the 4th District, I believe I offer experience and knowledge of the District, County Commission and Knox County Government.

While on Commission I served on the Finance Committee and the Knox County Pension Board. I was also Chairman of the Beer Board and Cable TV Committee. I previously served on the Knox County Industrial Development Bond Board, the Health, Education and Housing Facilities Board and the Foreign Trade Zone Advisory Council. Presently, I am on the Knox County Parks and Recreation Board.

I respectfully ask for your vote and consideration of my appointment to the 4th District.

Patricia's picture

Scott Davis/Eagle Bend LLC?

Submitted by Patricia on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 6:12pm.

Could this be the same Scott Davis that is great friends with Register Steve Hall? If so, I need to find out how to get some property for zero dollars like Scott does (see below).

Property 6807 E EMORY RD , TN 37938
New Owner EAGLE BEND DEVELOPMENT LLC ****
Land Property Type Residential Owner Type Residential
Land Use Unused Land
Land Value $29700 Deed Acres 0.000000 Calc Acres 3.200000
Sales Owner Date Price Type Qualified Status Book Page

EAGLE BEND DEVELOPMENT LLC 12/05/2005 $0

R. Neal's picture

That could mean anything,

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 6:34pm.

That could mean anything, like a quit claim or some other arrangement.

D Mac's picture

Diane Jordan's son

Submitted by D Mac on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 6:46pm.

Diane Jordan is introducing her son to all the commissioners. Has anyone seen his name and credentials?

Simply Ridiculous's picture

Appointees

Submitted by Simply Ridiculous on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 5:41pm.

For all of the people who are ticked off about not having a say in the matter, maybe we should read imore into WHY these people are candidates - for instance their backgrounds, qualifications, RELATIONSHIPS, etc.

For example, our County Commission Chairman, Scott Moore, has two very close personal friends with their names in the race. Could that possibly be why he is using his so-called "power" to appoint without any public input? Afraid we might see the real deal here?

4th District - Lee Trammel; close personal friend of Chairman Moore and close personal friend and current employee of Sheriff Tim Hutchison.

9th District - Randy Hinton; close personal friend of Chariman Moore and close personal friend of Sheriff Tim Hutchison. Owns Chestnut Street Wrecker service, etc. who makes money by towing cars from accidents, etc. worked by the Sheriff's Office.

6th District - Sharon Cawood. Well, her name gives it away; wife of former commish Mark Cawood.

Not sure about the others; these are the more obvious ones.

If Commissioner Moore wants to run for a different office when his term is up (which he will; no education or formal job experience other than serving warrants-he needs for us taxpayers to support him and his immediate/extended family), surely he isn't stupid enough to get caught in this myriad of crap.? Ooops, forgot who I was talking about.

Simply Ridiculous's picture

Re: Commission Chairman Scott Moore

Submitted by Simply Ridiculous on Thu, 2007/01/25 - 1:41pm.

"Another unseemly aspect of the current maneuvering (and Moore's flip-flop) is a reported deal for filling the fourth countywide office that's being vacated--namely that of County Clerk Mike Padgett. Moore is widely believed to covet the $91,000 post, which would be a big step up from his nominal real estate business. But he also knows that seeking appointment as county clerk by his colleagues at this point would look unseemly and could hurt his chances of getting elected to the post in 2008. So the reported deal is for term-limited County Commissioner Billy Tindell to take the appointment, with a pledge not to seek election in 2008. In turn, the power brokers would pledge to back Moore's candidacy at that time.

Perhaps worst of all, Hutchison is widely reported to be pushing for appointment of commissioners who would make life difficult for Ragsdale, whom the sheriff detests. I can't attest to the truth of any of these reports. But their sheer prevalence in Courthouse circles militates in favor of the more open appointment process that the county mayor has called for.”

-Joe Sullivan, Metro Pulse, January 25, 2007

Rachel's picture

Commission cannot require

Submitted by Rachel on Wed, 2007/01/24 - 11:41pm.

Commission cannot require folks to submit their names by 1/29. Nominations can be made from the floor. They've just asked for people to let them know by 1/29.

Knoxquerious's picture

Beyond cronyism

Submitted by Knoxquerious on Thu, 2007/01/25 - 9:24am.

Via the sentinel...
Josh Jordan, 31, said he is seeking the post...He is a licensed contractor who owns M&M TN 1 Construction LLC.

He says he sees no conflict in seeking his mother's seat despite the term limits forcing her from office.

Her son? Really? He is a developer to boot...simply amazing.

And then there is this...
Brian Hornback - the county GOP chairman and former school board member - confirmed Wednesday he may soon throw his hat in the ring for the 5th District seat now held by John Griess. "We need candidates who have knowledge about how government works."

My brain hurts.

StaceyDs Cat's picture

candidate qualifications on N-S's web site

Submitted by StaceyDs Cat on Thu, 2007/01/25 - 12:32pm.

I must say it is really disappointing that many candidates do not have any information about themselves on the paper's web site so the public can see if they are qualified or potentially a hack.

CL's picture

WATE has a list with some

Submitted by CL on Fri, 2007/01/26 - 7:48am.

WATE has a list with some new names on it.

(link...)

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