47 [ Lord of the Dance ]Mar 31, 2006 9:11:31 am
PWND by the people y0!
A lawsuit now seeks to remove Sheriff Tim Hutchison's name from the upcoming election ballot.
The move -- which could have implications for all of Knox County's elected officials -- comes one day after a Tennessee Supreme Court ruling upheld term limits for county commissioners.
That means 12 incumbent Knox County Commissioners would not be eligible to serve, even though their names are already on the ballot.
Papers filed Thursday by attorney Herb Moncier ask a judge to take Sheriff Hutchison's name off the ballot.
Moncier argues that the Supreme Court ruling upholding term limits applies to more than just county commissioners.
He says the ruling allows Knox County to impose term limits on all elected officials.
That's actually the language voters approved in a referendum back in 1994, although lawsuits kept authorities from enforcing the Charter change.
Sheriff Hutchison disagrees, saying "The Supreme Court case is solely addressing the legislative body and no other offices. "
Hutchison's statement went on to read that Court Clerks, the Register of Deeds, and other Constitutional offices would also be impacted.
Clearly, there's still a lot of uncertainty about what the court's ruling means.
Even commission candidates not affected by the ruling have differing opinions about recent events and what they mean for the future.
"Eighty-one percent of the people in this county decided they wanted term limits," Pete Drew, I-District 1A, said. "There should be no question about what takes place and that is you honor the will of the people."
That also means Drew's only registered opponent could be out of the race.
And if Democratic incumbent Diane Jordan goes, so do 11 others.
"They're out a lot of money and time and energy," Chuck James, R-District 6A, empathized with the public servants.
James would still have competition from fellow Republican Scott Russell in the primary.
But if Democrat Mark Cawood is removed from the ballot, the race for that seat could be over after the May primary.
"Hopefully, but we don't know," James said. "We'll just have to wait and see how the courts rule. We'll run through summer if we have to."
R. Larry Smith, R-District 7A, is one of three Republicans in a heated primary race.
The man whose been telling voters it's time for change now says he'd rather face James McMillan and long-time commissioner Mary Lou Horner.
"We have term limits, every time we go to vote," Smith said. "I prefer to let the voters decide up or down. Do we want the individual back in office or are we ready for somebody new?"
There is the possibility the Knox County Election Commission will allow new candidates on the ballot.
Some opponents oppose that move.
"I think I'm the only one who has qualified to run," Drew said. "And yes I think I should be the only one in the race, unless somebody runs on a write-in ticket and they get written in."
The Election Commission has hired a Nashville lawyer to help them sort this out.
There may be more answers Friday, when they meet at 4 p.m. to hear from affected county commissioners
A lawsuit now seeks to remove Sheriff Tim Hutchison's name from the upcoming election ballot.
The move -- which could have implications for all of Knox County's elected officials -- comes one day after a Tennessee Supreme Court ruling upheld term limits for county commissioners.
That means 12 incumbent Knox County Commissioners would not be eligible to serve, even though their names are already on the ballot.
Papers filed Thursday by attorney Herb Moncier ask a judge to take Sheriff Hutchison's name off the ballot.
Moncier argues that the Supreme Court ruling upholding term limits applies to more than just county commissioners.
He says the ruling allows Knox County to impose term limits on all elected officials.
That's actually the language voters approved in a referendum back in 1994, although lawsuits kept authorities from enforcing the Charter change.
Sheriff Hutchison disagrees, saying "The Supreme Court case is solely addressing the legislative body and no other offices. "
Hutchison's statement went on to read that Court Clerks, the Register of Deeds, and other Constitutional offices would also be impacted.
Clearly, there's still a lot of uncertainty about what the court's ruling means.
Even commission candidates not affected by the ruling have differing opinions about recent events and what they mean for the future.
"Eighty-one percent of the people in this county decided they wanted term limits," Pete Drew, I-District 1A, said. "There should be no question about what takes place and that is you honor the will of the people."
That also means Drew's only registered opponent could be out of the race.
And if Democratic incumbent Diane Jordan goes, so do 11 others.
"They're out a lot of money and time and energy," Chuck James, R-District 6A, empathized with the public servants.
James would still have competition from fellow Republican Scott Russell in the primary.
But if Democrat Mark Cawood is removed from the ballot, the race for that seat could be over after the May primary.
"Hopefully, but we don't know," James said. "We'll just have to wait and see how the courts rule. We'll run through summer if we have to."
R. Larry Smith, R-District 7A, is one of three Republicans in a heated primary race.
The man whose been telling voters it's time for change now says he'd rather face James McMillan and long-time commissioner Mary Lou Horner.
"We have term limits, every time we go to vote," Smith said. "I prefer to let the voters decide up or down. Do we want the individual back in office or are we ready for somebody new?"
There is the possibility the Knox County Election Commission will allow new candidates on the ballot.
Some opponents oppose that move.
"I think I'm the only one who has qualified to run," Drew said. "And yes I think I should be the only one in the race, unless somebody runs on a write-in ticket and they get written in."
The Election Commission has hired a Nashville lawyer to help them sort this out.
There may be more answers Friday, when they meet at 4 p.m. to hear from affected county commissioners