That�s the Ticket - Thumbs up and thumbs down for county primaries

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April 30, 2006

That�s the Ticket - Thumbs up and thumbs down for county primaries

The mailers arrive in duplicate these days and local websites are plastered with lo-fi GIF ads (some local sites, anyway). The Hamilton County Election Commission is geared up for twelve grueling hours at the open polls. (Think positive thoughts.) Campaign spending keeps getting bigger every cycle. �It�s amazing that this much money gets spent just to get someone a job,� quips a friend. It follows that turnout keeps pace with spending, right? By this point, we should be nearing saturation, no? But, you say, Murfreesboro�s municipal elections (April 18) managed to rouse a staggering 10 percent off their sorry behinds. In New Orleans (April 22), where very important decisions are being made about an entire city�s future: 38 percent. I want a sea of purple thumbs, people.

Here�s something for every candidate to consider: If yours is the most expensive campaign, I�m going to have to trust you a lot to believe that you�ll turn right around and provide the least expensive government.

Okay, that was a lot to chew on, so back to lighter fare: the candidates. Most of you know all of this and could write it from memory, I�m sure. In the spirit of service to the few who have been otherwise occupied by important matters and are just now getting acquainted with the selections for this go-round, please let�s all read through them together. A little refresher won�t hurt any of us.

HAMILTON COUNTY BOARD

OF COMMISSIONERS

District 1

No Democrats qualified. Laura Oakley is running in the apparent moderate�s lane against Commissioner Fred Skillern. The Civic Forum endorses Ms. Oakley�s admirable effort to unseat the boss man.

District 2

No Democrats qualified. Ken Holloway challenges incumbent Commissioner Casavant. The winner will face independent (Libertarian, unofficially) Joe Dumas in August. In the Republican primary, the choice is Casavant or Holloway, and we�ll go with the one we know: Dr. Casavant.

District 3

Commissioner Charlotte Vandergriff is stepping down. Three Republicans qualified to try at replacing her. Terry Conley, Jim Coppinger and Al Smith are their names. If you live in District 3 and are apt to vote in the GOP primary, you should know your choice by now. Ours is Jim Coppinger. No Democrats qualified.

District 4

There is no contested primary, but please to be sure to vote for the candidate of your choosing.

District 5

Greg Beck was named to this seat after former Commissioner JoAnne Favors won her bid for the Tennessee House of Representatives. Cynthia Coleman is his Democratic opponent. Both are respectable candidates who would serve the community well. Commissioner Beck has stepped into his role so well, that it�s after measured thought he gets the nod here to try for another term. Rev. Bernie Miller is unopposed on the Republican ticket.

District 6

Lou Miller was appointed to this seat after her husband, the late Commissioner Ben Miller, Jr., passed away, but she won it outright in a subsequent special election. Her primary opponent is former Democratic Party chair John Allen Brooks. No Republicans qualified. This column endorses the challenger, John Allen Brooks, but mind what we said about the expenses.

District 7

Red Burrows decided to take on Commissioner Larry Henry after the latter�s ostensibly reluctant move to help pass the education (and general services) tax increase. Mr. Burrows is passionate, but too personal. Keep Commissioner Henry. No Democrats qualified.

District 8

There is no contested primary, but please to be sure to vote for the candidate of your choosing.

District 9

No candidates qualified other than the incumbent.

CIRCUIT COURT, DIVISION II

Judge Samuel Payne decided to retire. Two Democrats will vie on May 2: Tom Crutchfield and Steven Grant. Whichever wins will meet the sole Republican, Jeff Hollingsworth, in the August general election. For the record, this column doesn�t sanction partisan judicial elections. It�s therefore difficult to endorse a primary candidate, but Steven W. Grant does seem to be the more energetic choice for this part of the election.

SHERIFF

Likewise, it�s wholly uninspiring that the top law enforcement position in the county is sought after by partisan politicians � or, at best, able persons who are forced to wear the trappings of one or the other party. Nevertheless, them�s the rules (for now). Both major parties have some winnowing to do in this one. The Democrats are two veteran officers, Hank DeArman and Billy Long. The Republicans are former chief deputy Andy Derryberry and the incumbent, Sheriff John Cupp. (Independent Dave Alverson will complete the trinity for the general election.) Billy Long, in the Democratic primary, receives the Civic Forum endorsement, though there are several well-qualified contenders among the challengers.

AND THE REST�

Otherwise, the slate contains no more than one name per position per ballot. The remainder of positions you�ll see on May 2 are: Juvenile Court, Chancery Court (2), Criminal Court (3), and three remaining Circuit Court seats; County Mayor; District Attorney and Public Defender; a trio of court clerks (Circuit, Criminal and Juvenile); and Trustee, County Clerk and Register of Deeds. (Bonus question: Why isn�t Assessor of Property included here?) Depending on your primary preference, you may not see names in all of these. Remember that the General Sessions Judges and County Board of Education will join the fray in the August general election. Also don�t forget your municipal elections, including that to replace former Chattanooga City Council member Yusuf Hakeem in District 9.

Most importantly, vote. Local governments make decisions that affect your everyday life. Be involved in those decisions. It�s hard to �hold them accountable� if you yourself are not accountable for how they got there. If it helps, get some ink and stain your thumb.

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