Below is the most recent update.

The Loudon City election is shaping up to be a real barn burner but surprisingly, the Lenoir City election seems to draw less interest. Given the current Lenoir City councils nonstop actions to raise taxes, you might think there would be a lot more candidates interested in that race.

Last year, the current council passed the absurd Rain Tax on everyone in the city limits. Think about that, they're taxing you for the rain that falls on your property. You can't get much more desperate than that. Now they've added an unjustified sales tax increase to the ballot. That will fail. Voters don't fall for the old "it's for the kids" line any more. So when it does fail, what'll be their next tax increase? Property tax increase, wheel tax, increase the Rain Tax? The possibilities are endless when elected officials start down the tax path.

The only way the tax and spending stops is when voters put fiscal conservatives candidates in office in place of tax and spend candidates. City residents, businesses, churches and schools have complained endlessly about the Rain Tax. Well, here's a last chance to do something about it. There are 4 council seats on the ballot in November. That's a majority of the council. However, there are currently only 2 challengers qualified to run with all four incumbents qualified.

If Lenoir City residents really are upset by the endless tax increases, this will be the last chance for two more years to make a difference. 

Any candidates wishing to run in any of the city elections have till noon, August 16th to qualify. That's still a little more than a week away.