Applications are being accepted for the Anderson County Administrator of Elections, and
several people have picked them up.
The Administrator of Elections job is an important one, requiring knowledge of the State's sometimes complex election laws, as well as significant technical expertise (since voting and voting records are now computerized). Yet, the News Sentinel article characterizes is as follows:
The election chief’s job is considered a political plum that’s normally given to a high-profile Democrat.
Democrats hold a 3-2 edge on county election commissions in Tennessee because Democrats hold the majority in the state’s General Assembly.
That the new EA is going to be a Democrat is a given, but there's simply no sense in it being a "political plum;" the job is simply too important to have it be decided on patronage alone.
Wimp Shoopman is probably a well-qualified candidate, and I do believe that he would be fair and efficient. However, the candidates should be judged based upon their qualifications -- NOT their political chits.
How is the job filled? That was not clear to me in that article.
I think that the Election Commission appoints the Administrator based heavily upon the recommendation of our local legislators -- Jim Hackworth, Les Winningham, and Randy McNally.
I think that the Election Commission appoints the Administrator based heavily upon the recommendation of our local legislators -- Jim Hackworth, Les Winningham, and Randy McNally.
Again, the lady is absolutely correct. Good job NM!!!!!!
Looking at that list I only see one that is able to work with the public. That would be Wimp Shoopman. Liz Goodlaxen and Rickey Rose alienate everyone they come in contact with. As far as being press friendly these would not be good choices. After much contact with these two they are not public friendly If you talk to the people they have had dealings with, you will not get positive recommendations.. I have heard there have been some new candidates as of yesterday
If you are looking to give the lord mayor and his entourage control of the election commission Ricky Rose would be your pick. He was in their corner the whole time he was on commission, during the probation era. He has always been the lord mayors right hand, and continues to be. He looked to Beauchamp for what decisions he was to make. He has the personality of a rock. He hangs around the courthouse with the lord mayor. I saw another list that included Gail Martin. This is a woman who has served the community, is smart and would be an asset to any office she holds. She has a way with people. She has served on the school board and has been well informed and made good decisions. This would be someone I would look at seriously.
Glad to see that Gail has joined the list. She is a dear friend and very qualified for the position. She will bring some consistency to that position, if chosen. Wimp has withdrawn his name as of the latest I heard. Ricky Rose seems to have seen the writing on the wall and never put in his application. That is a good move on his part. I still contend that Liz Goodlaxen would be the worst choice of the list. She offers nothing to the position. MY VOTE IS WITH GAIL MARTIN.
I don't know Gail Martin. Does she have any technical expertise, understanding of databases, etc.?
Very much so. Has been very active in quite a few political campaigns, serves on the school board and is in administration at a nursing home. She is in her 60's. She has never met a stranger. She also has wonderful people skills.
I like Gail Martin, and I think she will do a wonderful job, and I think that Wimp would have done a fine job as well. I think that someone who has run for public office should fill this position. I must agree with the Courier though. There is no need to put on the charade of taking aplications if the decission has already been made.