Lenoir City mayor, Tony Aikens, has pulled out all the stops to get his right hand man, city attorney Greg Harrison, elected to the job. He even went so far as to have the judges salary reduced from around $75,000.00 down to $7,200.00. The intent was to try to discourage other candidates from running for the job. Well, that didn't work. Incumbent city judge, Robin McNabb, and local attorney, Amanda Smith, are also running for the job even though the mayor cut the pay. Well, to be fair, the council did it but the mayor's the one who told them what to do.

I have no idea who will win that race but you can bet your buttons on one thing. City attorney Greg Harrison, who currently makes about $60,000.00 for his part time services, won't be giving up his 60k job for a $7,200.00 job. So if Harrison wins, what can the mayor do to give back the judges salary?

The new $7,200.00 salary doesn't kick in until September 1st. Once it's in place, by state law, it can't be changed for the term of that office which is eight years. Here's my prediction if Harrison wins. The election is August 4th. The city will have plenty of time to have a council meeting to rescind the pay cut and reinstate the original salary. Just something to watch for. I could be all wrong and they have a whole different plan in place. If one of the other candidates win the seat, it will probably take legal action to challenge the mayor/councils pay cut vote.

However it turns out, It will be interesting to watch.