LC Election Taking Shape

With nearly six months before the next Lenoir City election, candidates are already lining up to run for the various offices that will be on the ballot. This November will see three council seats, three school board seats, the mayor's office and most likely the Treasure/Recorder's office up for grabs. The three council seats up for election are currently held by Tony Aikens, Eddie Simpson and Bobby Johnson Sr. who was appointed to council after the death of his father, Blackie Johnson. The three school board seats up for election are currently held by Mitch Ledbetter, Mike Henline who also holds a city council seat, and Rick Chadwick.

The first day to pick up petitions to seek office in the upcoming LC election was last Friday. Thus far, eight individuals have picked up petitions to run. For the mayor's office, former Loudon County Sheriff, Joe Sims and Robert, Tooter, Robinett have picked up petitions. For city council, incumbents Eddie Simpson and Tony Aikens have picked up their petitions. Council appointee, Bobby Johnson Sr. has also picked up. James Brandon who works in the LCUB electric department picked up petitions for both the mayor and council race however, Brandon later stated that he will  be seeking a council seat.

In a surprising move, Loudon County Board Of Education Chairman, Bobby Johnson Jr. son of council member Bobby Johnson Sr., picked up a petition to run for the City Treasurer/Recorder's office. The office was vacated last year with the early retirement of long time Treasurer/Recorder, Debbie Cook. If the mayor city council and Judge Vann get their way, the position of an elected City Treasurer/Recorder will be eliminated and the council will appoint the position. The question will be on the August ballot for the voters to decide. It has also been widely rumored that is Johnson Jr.'s father, Johnson Sr., wins his council seat, he will resign his seat on the Lenoir City School Board and ask the council to appoint Johnson Jr. to the school board to fill his vacant seat.

The lone candidate to so far pick up a petition to run for a seat on the city school board is long time radio personality Glenn Mcnish.

Even though a number of people have picked up petitions to run for various offices, nothing counts unless they return the petitions to the election commission. Anyone wishing to seek an office in the upcoming Lenoir City election has until noon, August 21st, to pick up a petition and return it to the election commission with the required twenty-five signatures of qualified voters.

This election may be a doosey. 

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5/28/08