Election Review

Last week's election was not kind to incumbents. Probably the biggest upset of the night was the ousting of long time Greenback mayor, Tom Peeler. Peeler had been mayor for 44 years but was soundly defeated by former Greenback alderman, Dewayne Burchfield. Burchfield won 238 to Peeler's 146 or 62% to 38%. All the Greenback aldermen ran unopposed and were re-elected including Ms. Peeler's daughter, Robin Blankenship. That should make for some interesting council meetings.

In Loudon, the incumbent mayor, Jim Greenway, was ousted by councilman Jeff Harris. Harris tallied 843 to Greenway's 656. The council race is at large meaning the top four vote getters win seats. Incumbent councilman, Dennis Stewart, came in 7th in the 10 person race. The only incumbent to return to council was Johnny James picking up the third place seat with 609 votes and Tim Brewster coming in just behind James by one vote for the fourth seat. Tim Dixon was the top vote getter with 681 votes and Tammi Bivens came in second with 620 votes.

In Lenoir City, another incumbent went down. 12 year incumbent, Mike Henline, was bumped off. As in Loudon, Lenoir City council races are also at large. Top three win seats. Henline came in 5th in the 6 man race. James Brandon won the third seat with 957 vote with  Todd Kennedy being 11 votes short of a seat. Incumbent Buddy Hines won the first seat with 1,085 and Jim Shields took second with pulling in 987 votes.

The special Lenoir City council race was incumbent, Jennifer Wampler running unopposed. Ms. Wampler was appointed to council last year to take the seat of her late husband, Harry Wampler. Ms. Wampler picked up a 1,840 votes making her vice mayor for the next two years. However, Ms. Wampler received a 21.5% under vote or 575 Lenoir City voters did not vote for Wampler. Ms. Wampler's seat will be on the ballot again in two years.

The Lenoir City School Board race saw another incumbent removed. New comer, Matt Colman, took second slot in the four person race. Colman bested incumbent, Jim McCarroll with incumbent Bobby Johnson Sr. taking the first seat with 1,132. Rosemary Quillen also fell short.   

In a not so surprising outcome, the Lenoir City sales tax increase went down hard by a 58% to 42%  margin, 1,372 Against and 964 For,  even though it had been sold as "for the children." Voters have long been wise to the, raise taxes for the children, ploy and just won't go for it any more.

Not a one of the 1,372 voters who voted against the sales tax increase are opposed to school children or their safety. It's just that voters are tired of how irresponsible local school systems have been with the hard earned tax dollars already going to education. Local school boards and local governments are going to have to learn to operate within their means and prioritize the difference between needs and wants. stop wasting our money and start using it wisely.

Even though the sales tax vote should send a strong message to all local politicians, I think I'll hang onto my anti tax signs just incase we need them again.   

Lastly, the news kept saying how close the Marsha Blackburn, Phil Bredesen senate was going to be. It wasn't even close. Blackburn with 62% to Bredesen's 37%. I can't say for sure,  but it might have been the picture below that pushed her over the top.

BACK
11/12/18