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July 14, 2006
The Ticket: Picks and Predictions for August 3 - School Board Edition
I'm still undecided on a couple of County Commission races, but early voting starts tomorrow today, so I'll start with the Board of Education. Remember, these are nonpartisan positions.
District 3 - Everett Fairchild vs. Tim Price
Pick: Everett Fairchild. Go to Chattanoogan.com, search on Tim Price, and read his opinions. Fairchild isn't stellar by any means, but I'd rather keep him than have Price on the Board.
Prediction: Everett Fairchild by a narrow-ish margin. Incumbency and name recognition obviously favor Fairchild, but a slew of voters will pick Price due to a general sentiment of "needing new blood" on the School Board.
District 5 - William "Eli" Jones vs. Jeffrey Wilson
Pick: I'm unfortunately not familiar enough with the candidates to make a recommendation. Please leave a comment if you have one.
Prediction: Jeffrey Wilson outright. This was the 2005 appointee upon whom the County Commission could agree after being in deadlock for half a dozen votes, due to former Commissioner Cotton's obstreperousness (among other things). District 5 was formerly represented by Charles Love, who was snared in Operation Tennessee Waltz for being a bagman. Wilson has been fairly low-key in office so far, which probably works in his favor.
District 6 - Janice Boydston (unopposed)
District 8 - Randy Gutshall vs. Kenny Smith
Pick: Kenny Smith, on personal recommendations.
Prediction: Kenny Smith. He has the apparent funding, and has bipartisan support, including that of the formidable electrical workers union.
District 9 - Chester Bankston vs. Kelvin Stamper
Pick: Kelvin Stamper. He expresses a sincere desire to work with the County Commission and put the students' needs first. He's a parent of public school children. And Commissioner Hullander supports the other guy.
Prediction: I am struggling to call this one. I hate to say it, but the "powers that be" may be able to install their man Bankston, despite Stamper's qualifications.
Early voting is nice and all, but don't vote until you are sure of your choices. There's no shame in waiting until everything has played out -- just make it to the polls by closing time on Election Day, August 3, 2006.
Hamilton County Elections | By joe lance | 07:03 AM