Wed
Jul 26 2006
01:31 pm
Back room politics
By: Knoxquerious

Will someone answer something for me if they can? What happens when (not if) the TN supreme court enforces term limits in September? Will commissioners be stripped of their job immediately, and if they do will there be a special run off? I am sure they will appeal so that will take time. I heard that the non-term limited commissioners could hand pick people to replace them. Would they pick the sheriff too IF (VOTE TYREE!!) he wins? This just stinks, I feel like my vote will not count unless the incumbents I vote against lose. Sincerely, confused.

Paul Witt's picture

If the Supreme Court

Submitted by Paul Witt on Wed, 2006/07/26 - 4:45pm.

If the Supreme Court overturns Weaver's decision and term-limits are applied then those Commissioners that have served two terms would immediately become ineligible to serve and be made ex-commissioners.  The remaining commissioners would fill the vacancies.

I'm not sure if it's the commissioners that get to nominate people or if the mayor nominates and the commissioners approve.  The important part for voters is that they are not the ones who get to fill the openings.

The only way to be 100% sure that your vote goes to someone that is eligible to serve is to vote for one of the challengers.

Bbeanster's picture

If they decide quickly

Submitted by Bbeanster on Wed, 2006/07/26 - 6:45pm.

If they decide quickly enough, I think there could be a special election in November coinciding with the state general election so it wouldn't cost any more money. If all the incumbents who are running are re-elected, there would be just 10 commissioners eligible to serve, which means that if they appointed new members to fill the nine vacant seats, all of the votes would have to be unanimous.

Mackay could probably answer this question, if he's reading tonight.

What a mess.

Greg Mackay's picture

I don't know what the

Submitted by Greg Mackay (not verified) on Wed, 2006/07/26 - 7:51pm.

I don't know what the Supreme Court will do.

Bbeanster's picture

Smartass. I thought you knew

Submitted by Bbeanster on Wed, 2006/07/26 - 8:15pm.

Smartass.
I thought you knew everything.
What I meant was, what's the feasibility of holding a special county election in November. Would there have to be a party primary first, then a general election after, or could each party just have a big free-for-all nominating convention to pick a candidate for November?

rikki's picture

irv

Submitted by rikki on Thu, 2006/07/27 - 1:09am.

Instant runoff voting cures the need for primaries. I guess it's a little late for adopting that. Oh wait, there's a charter review committee in force. They could put IRV before county voters in November if they wished.

SteveMule's picture

See Paul's reply

Submitted by SteveMule on Thu, 2006/07/27 - 12:24am.

Betty,

See Paul's reply. There will be NO special election, no regular election, no general election, no private election (military rank joke) no nothing other than the county mayor nominating and remaining county commissioners approving or disaproving. Remember when Commissioner Pinkston died? His brother was temporarilary appointed, remember?  The ninth district election that followed in August was not a special election but the regular election that the by then deceased Commissioner Pinkston would have had to campaign for anyway.

Take Care, Be Good and don't play in the street!

SteveMule

Bbeanster's picture

I'm not sure of that, since

Submitted by Bbeanster on Thu, 2006/07/27 - 12:32am.

I'm not sure of that, since the November election is coming up. Commission makes temporary appointments until the next election, which, in this case, could be very soon, if the court decides in time to get nominees qualified and on the ballot -- But again, I am not sure.
Ten sitting commissioners will play hell making nine appointments.

SteveMule's picture

Logic vs Political/Legal Reality

Submitted by SteveMule on Thu, 2006/07/27 - 1:15am.

Ms. Bean,

I get your point and it does make sense, except that isn't how it works. It does make sense to have a 'special' election in November but that's assuming that the TSC makes their decision in time, nothing says they will.  Secondly, your assuming that no one will object to another long, confusing ballot in November - many will - mostly those that would stand to lose. From an administrative point of view it would be a lot easier to just make the appointments and wait until 2010. And besides that's what the law says to do - ain't right, ain't logical, just the way it is.

Take Care, Be Good and don't play in the street!

SteveMule

Knoxquerious's picture

I think this just reiterates

Submitted by Knoxquerious on Thu, 2006/07/27 - 2:21am.

I think this just reiterates the fact that Knox County voters should support candidates that support term limits. Why let the same jackasses that got us in this mess choose the next leaders of our community? And yes this even means the Beaners shurf prince charming.

Bbeanster's picture

I think the law works this

Submitted by Bbeanster on Thu, 2006/07/27 - 7:48am.

I think the law works this way -- that appointments serve until the next scheduled election. That could be November, if the court acts soon enough. I admit that I'm not certain of this, and think it's a long shot unless the court decides to make it happen, but I would love to see some clarification from someone with actual knowledge who is not pushing an agenda.

And again, I reiterate that it would be great sport to see 10 commissioners coming to nine unanimous votes to fill nine appointments. Unless I am missing something, if all the incumbents are re-elected and they are all given the boot, there would be nine Republicans and one Democrat (Tank Strickland)left to do the choosing.

Addendum: I just checked with someone with "actual knowledge," and I'm half right. If the court acts soon enough to get candidates on the ballot before the 45-day cutoff, they will stand for election in November. That means it would have to be done very early in September -- tough, but not impossible, since the Court handed down the Bailey decision within nine days of hearing arguments, and will certainly be aware of the urgency of this matter, too. The parties would have to act quickly, too. It will be a fractious good time, and I'd look for lots of Independent candidates and write-ins.

What I'm wrong about is the number of commission votes needed to appoint. I'm told it's only a majority of the commissioners actually serving -- that means six votes would do it. In fact, depending on how far-raching this decision is, it could mean that six commissioners could choose most of our officeholders -- IF the incumbents are elected.

And the mayor has nothing to do with the process. Nominations come from the commission, so it's all on them.

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