Ha ha. It's started folks.The rumors are trickling in.
With Jamie Woodson stepping down from her state Senate seat, some folks are already speculating about who will send an application to the county commissioners for a spot in the Tennessee General Assembly.
I got two quick calls today - right after Woodson made her announcement - that a fellow has been lobbying commissioners to appoint Dave "the commission's sharpest dresser" Wright (pictured above).
I'll let you guess who it was. The person lobbying for Wright, I mean.
So, I called 8th District commissioner and asked about the rumor.
"I hadn't thought about it," he said.
Hmmmmm.
He started chuckling then added: "I'm really satisfied with where I am. I'm going to have to search out this person who told you that - the person who think I should be in Nashville. They're trying to get rid of me."
He then said "it would be a step up" for either state Rep. Bill Dunn and state Rep. Harry Brooks if one of them wanted a shot.
(Is he already lobbying for one of them?)
Of course, as Wright pointed out, Woodson's successor would have the seat for only a few months and then have to run in a special election.
I don't know.
It would certainly look awfully odd post-Black Wednesday for Wright to get the gig.
He is well-liked in East Knox County, though, but Woodson's district covers a lot more than that. A lot.
Still, I wonder if he could/would vote for himself?
He couldn't vote for himself, even if he wanted to.
ReplyDeleteWhy not?
ReplyDeleteActually he could vote for himself.
ReplyDeleteActually, no he can't. The charter, in article II, sec D(4) says acceptance of a nomination by a sitting commissioner to a vacant office disqualifies that commissioner from casting a vote to fill that office...thus, a commissioner could not vote for him/herself.
ReplyDeleteThat should be F(4), not D(4), sorry for the typo, the keys are side-by-side.
ReplyDeleteThe Knox County Charter says this? Do you happen to have a specific Municode link? I'm having a bear of a time finding what you're referencing.
ReplyDeleteWell, damn. Anonymous appears to be right.
ReplyDeletehttp://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=12815&stateId=42&stateName=Tennessee
Article II, section F(4)
Section F:
ReplyDeleteWhen any public office is to be filled by the Commission, if any member of the Commission accepts the nomination as a candidate for such public office, the following procedure shall be followed:
(1)No member of the Commission who is absent from any proceeding to fill a public office shall be eligible to have his/her name placed in nomination unless either the Chairman(woman) of the Commission or the County Clerk shall have present at such meeting of the Commission a written acceptance of such nomination signed by such member of the Commission.
(2)If a Commission member's name is placed in nomination, the Chairman(woman) of the Commission shall, prior to the first vote, require that member to either accept or decline the nomination. A refusal to either accept or decline shall disqualify that member for nomination.
(3)No vote shall be recorded in favor of any member of the Commission who has either declined nomination or has been otherwise disqualified.
(4)The acceptance of nomination by a member of the Commission shall automatically disqualify such member to vote to fill that office.
(5)If the Commission member is elected, his/her seat on the Commission shall immediately be vacant.
Thanks for the copy - the link, for some odd reason, takes me to a breakdown of the different Commission districts.
ReplyDeleteJust as well. Paul Pinkston was a MUCH sharper dresser on Commission anyway. The pencil-beard phase was outstanding. Made him look a good 20 years younger. Best tie collection of any politico I've ever met.
Including Rags. (Though that red tie with the white hearts Mikey had a time or two ago WAS kinda cool.)