PUD ban key with commission race

Growth and residential development in Loudon County turned out pivotal for county commission candidates in the May 3 primary.

The election might be viewed as a referendum on a moratorium on Planned Unit Developments passed by Loudon County Commission in October and renewed in February. Commission began the process of making the ban permanent in April.

The moratorium put a temporary halt to high-density residential developments. County policy allows up to 2.5 units per acre on tracts of 75 acres or more.

The ban was opposed by the Homebuilders Association of Greater Knoxville and a related political action committee that provided campaign support to several candidates.

Two incumbents on commission who voted against the moratorium — Julia Hurley and Matthew Tinker — lost bids for reelection. Both candidates represented District 2 in Lenoir City.

Hurley, who was running for Seat A, lost 633-247 to William Jenkins. Jenkins, who said he was for controlled growth, did not favor the ban but was targeted by a PAC that questioned his legitimacy as a Republican candidate because had once voted as a Democrat.

Jenkins said after the election he thought the attempt to question his candidacy had backfired.

“The people know me,” he said.

Dennis Lanham placed third in the Seat A race with 170 votes.

Rosemary Hines Quillen, a Realtor and opponent of the ban on PUDs, edged Tinker 529-496. Quillen was formerly a member of commission representing Lenoir City.

“I’m really glad to be back on commission and looking forward to helping to deal with the challenges facing our county, including the issue of growth,” Quillen said.

Incumbent commissioners Van Shaver and Adam Waller, both challenged by pro-development candidates backed by the support of homebuilders, retained their seats. Both had been strong supporters of the ban on PUDs.

Shaver won District 5, Seat B with 1,484 votes to challenger Eddie Simpson’s 833. Simpson was a vocal opponent of the moratorium on PUDs and received direct mail support from the PAC representing homebuilders.

“I think this was definitely a referendum on the issue of overdevelopment,” Shaver said. “The people have spoken and I intend to do the will of the people.”

Shaver said during his campaign he had spoken with thousands of residents in the district. He said the vast majority were not in favor of more high-density developments.

Waller retained his seat in District 6 against a challenge from developer Mark Matlock with a healthy margin of 698-333 votes. Matlock also received support from the homebuilders PAC.

“I think the people of Loudon County are smart enough to see through those special interests,” Waller said.

He said voters in his part of the county are especially aware of the dangers of overdevelopment.

“They don’t want to see rooftops, rooftops, rooftops,” Waller said.

Three other incumbent commissioners who voted to ban PUDs retained their seats. Harold Duff, who voted for the ban twice, retained District 5, Seat A by beating challenger David Ball 1,097-700. Pat Hunter received 382 votes to come in third.

Bill Satterfield, representing District 3, and Gary Whitfield, representing District 4, did not face a challenger. Both voted for the PUD ban.

Chase Randolph won District 1, Seat A with 965 votes to second-place challenger Joe Newman’s 647. Mike Young came in third with 243 votes.

During a recent candidate forum, Randolph vowed to keep taxes low but took middle ground on the moratorium, saying he would look to find common ground between those on either side of the issue.

Incumbent David Meers, who voted for the ban but focused his campaign on improving medical infrastructure in the county, lost District 1, Seat B to small businessman William Geames 999-814. Geames said during the campaign he was for controlled growth but didn’t specifically say how he would vote on the ban.

Henry Cullen, incumbent commissioner from District 7, also voted for the ban. He faced no Republican challenger in the primary and secured 1,265 votes.

Cullen will face the lone Democrat running for commission, Kenneth Moore, in the August election. Moore, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary, received 129 votes.

After 32 years, there will indeed be a new sheriff in Loudon County.

Loudon County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jimmy Davis pulled out a narrow 4,250-3,995 victory over Paul Curtis in the May 3 primary. Marty Ward finished third with 1,038 votes.

Davis, who was endorsed by retiring Sheriff Tim Guider and sheriffs from eight surrounding counties, thanked family and friends in the community for trusting in him and helping him win.

“It’s a big responsibility to take on the safety of the community,” Davis said. “I plan on getting to work on it right away.”

Both candidates had touted their experience. Davis has 29 years in law enforcement, with 28 years at LCSO, including 17 years as an administrator.

Identifying himself as a nationally recognized law enforcement officer, Curtis had promised to emphasize training and revive the drug awareness program in schools.

Davis said he will continue to be a good steward of taxpayer money and pursue federal and state grants to help supplement the annual budget. He vowed to continue existing programs and look for innovative ways to implement new ones.

He also emphasized continued cooperation with Loudon County Commission.

Goals for the first term include attaining accreditation for LCSO, emphasizing education and training for deputies and working with 9th Judicial District Attorney General Russell Johnson to establish a “recovery court” to help in the fight against drugs.

Davis announced Zac Frye will be the new chief deputy. He said in his selection he considered education, experience, attitude, intellect and a strong ability to bring new and innovative strategies to LCSO.

In unrelated races, two Republican judges were unopposed in the primary and will have no Democratic challengers in August.

Rex Dale received 7,942 votes in his bid for General Sessions Judge, Division I, while Henry “Hank” Sledge Jr. received 7,841 votes for General Sessions Judge, Division II.

Pickel wins county road superintendent

Hugh G. Willett news-herald.net

The current No. 2 man in the office of Loudon County Road Superintendent will be running the show.

Assistant Superintendent Billy Pickel won the May 3 primary with 5,747 votes to 3,166 for Sean Giles, a former superintendent.

With no other challengers, Pickel, who had the endorsement of retiring Road Superintendent Eddie Simpson, will officially win the office in August. He will take office Sept. 1.

Pickel said will begin to implement plans he discussed during the campaign, including a road paving schedule and the search for grants to help pay for more paving.

Increasing fuel costs have been eating away at the budget for months, Pickel said.

“It’s going to catch up with us,” he said.

Pickel said he faces some immediate challenges. He said the department has been asked to meet with Loudon County Commission to discuss possible budget cuts. He said his department has not been given any more funding for at least five years when inflation is factored in.

He said the county was holding off on budget discussions with his department until the election was decided. He said he hopes commission will look favorably upon requests to maintain or even increase funding for the department.

Pickel said he has a good relationship with commissioners and hopes they will listen when he explains the situation.

County BOE gets two new members By Hugh G. Willett

Hugh G. Willett news-herald.net

Only one seat on the Loudon County Board of Education was contested in the May 3 primary, but two new members will be joining the board.

Mike Garren, director of Loudon County Schools, said he will look forward to working with mostly the same board. He said he knows the two new members and expects them to be easy to work with.

“I’m looking forward to working with them,” he said.

Mellisa Browder won District 5, Seat A with 1,370 votes to 801 for Larry Brown. She will serve two years of a remaining term after Bryan Brown resigned.

“I want to thank the voters for putting their trust and confidence in me to be their voice and represent their values for District 5 on the Loudon County school board,” Browder said. “A special thanks to my husband, David, for his tireless support, my entire family, friends, volunteers, donors, vendors, the election commission staff and poll workers, fellow candidates and the entire community who inspired and encouraged me every day.”

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to be in public service and with that comes a great responsibility, which I take very seriously,” she added. “I am excited to join such a special team. ... With their seasoned leadership and exceptional spirit of cooperation, I look forward to learning all I can to facilitate decisions, which will best serve our parents, students, teachers, staff, administrators and our community.”

Four BOE seats on the ballot were uncontested.

LaVonne Myers Barbour won District 2, Seat A with 882 votes. She will be taking over the seat previously held by William Jenkins, who was elected to represent District 2, Seat A on Loudon County Commission.

Bobby Johnson Jr. won District 2, Seat B with 895 votes. Johnson has been serving as chairman.

“I think that we didn’t have many changes shows that people are happy with the way things are going,” Johnson said.

Kim Bridges won District 4 with 741 votes, while Zack Cusick took District 6 with 911 votes.