Fox, 67, retired in March 2015 after 43 years of practicing law. Unlike two other candidates considered for the temporary position, he had no intention of seeking the post in August.
 

Councilman Harry Wampler said he didn’t want the public to think council was endorsing either of two candidates that sought the permanent position.

“Obviously, there are three candidates applying, and as Mr. Wampler said, we don’t want to — city council doesn’t want to give the impression that we’re endorsing anyone,” Lenoir City Mayor Tony Aikens said after the meeting.
 

Aikens said he believed voters should have a say in who should take over for the remainder of Vann’s term. Vann succumbed to cancer last month.

“The very important part is we’re giving people the choice, and it’s a very important position, and it’s going to be a seven-year give or take few months job,” Aikens said after the meeting. “... I just want to give the people the opportunity to prove who they want to put in there. I don’t think — plus it’s four months off. If it was a couple years off it may be different, but it’s not. It’s four months off, and they should have that choice.”
 

Harrison said the other two candidates were Robin McNabb, an attorney who has been with Knoxville firm Wise & Reeves P.C. for eight years, and Porsche Shantz, who has an “extensive history in the practice of law,” including serving as a staff attorney for the court of criminal appeals and court of appeals in Tennessee. Both are seeking the permanent position, in addition to Walter Johnson, who was not present at the meeting.
 

Fox served as an assistant district attorney general in the Ninth Judicial District, had a private practice in East Tennessee and served as an interim substitute at city court in Lenoir City and at Loudon County General Sessions Court.
 

Applicants had until April 7 to turn in resumes to Harrison.
 

“I’m just going to carry out the responsibilities of city judge and hold court and deal with disputes and accept the guilty pleas that have been negotiated and just do the same thing that city judge has done before,” Fox said after the meeting. “I’ve sat probably 10 or 12 times on various occasions in this court over the years for Judge Vann when (he) could not be available. ... I sat in a number of times for him. Plus, I’ve practiced in this court too. I’ve had clients in this court, too, so I’m familiar with it.”