Chattarati.com is proud to present its first-ever voter guide. We are serious about performing our civic duty, and even more serious about you performing yours. Next month Starting this Friday, July 18, four out of nine Hamilton County Board of Education seats will be on the ballot. (The Board is on a staggered election cycle; the other five seats will be filled in 2010.) The School Board is the only county office for which Democratic and Republican hopefuls run absent a party label. Here is a snapshot of this year's candidates.
District 1: Rhonda Thurman. Love her or otherwise, the feisty hairdresser is unopposed in her run for a second four-year term. Ms. Thurman is known for being a budget hawk and for often casting a solo vote in symbolic opposition to the remainder of the Board. Don't let the cosmetology shtick fool you: this is one tough education legislator. District 2: Chip Baker (incumbent) vs. Joe Dumas. Baker is, of course, chief executive of the company that puts on Riverbend and a principal player in landing Signal Mountain its new high school. Dr. Dumas is a professor of Computer Science at UTC, a frequent candidate, and a vocal supporter of Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX). Dumas (pronounced Doo-muss, you dumbass) has made some political hay out of Baker's refusal to pledge to serve a full term. Reading between the lines: Baker plans to run for County Commissioner Richard Casavant's seat in two years, as it is said that Dr. Casavant will not seek another term. Another shake of grist for the rumor mill: Baker's ultimate ambition is County Mayor Claude Ramsey's spot. District 4: Gregg Juster vs. Debra Matthews (incumbent). Juster is a relative newcomer to electoral politics, but has been active behind the scenes, particularly in local Libertarian circles. Juster, Dumas, and Thurman are running as the "Back on Track Team" in an effort to increase Thurman's single vote to a trinity (and, one presumes, to use that momentum to occasionally increase it to a winning five). Dr. Matthews is a reigning figure in the district's Alton Park and Piney Woods areas, and seems to possess such solid community backing that it is difficult to imagine an upset. Some had speculated that she may step down after experiencing health problems earlier in her current term. Obviously, "some" were wrong. District 7: Michael Dzik vs. Linda Mosley. Current board member Joe Conner chose against seeking reelection, and in doing so created the only open seat in this round. Originally, Michael Dzik was to be part of the "Back on Track Team," and thus give the consortium a candidate in every district. He later broke from the pack, citing several supporters' concerns. At this writing, Ms. Mosley seems to have the more organized campaign of the two, if one judges by letters to the editor. Note: though the District 7 ballot will name Chattarati contributor Kevin Burke among the contenders, Burke is no longer seeking the post. This series will continue through the August 7, 2008 election, and will resume as the November 4, 2008 election approaches.
Joe Lance
Kevin on July 16, 2008
Any bets on how many votes I'll get even though I've sent out a press release and made it very public that I withdrew my name?
Jonathan on July 17, 2008
I actually had this conversation the other night with a Mosely supporter. You're name will be at the top of the ballot, so you'll get a few. I'd say no more than 100, though, considering its an August election and most of the people that will actually go and vote will be somewhat informed of who is still running.
Kevin on July 17, 2008
Oh, and I meant that question in a non-conceited way. I've made it abundantly clear of my intentions. Apparently the state was not notified in time for the Election Commission to legally take my name off the ballot.
ItsJustTroy on July 17, 2008
After viewing each District 7 candidate's website and reading the news stories available on each of them, I haven't seen much that differentiates them. Other than the June 21 event, are there any other events planned where the candidates will be appearing? Anyone have an opinion on them?
joe lance on July 17, 2008
Kevin, the way I understand it is: there is a defined window after qualifying, during which a candidate must withdraw, or that candidate's name will remain on the ballot (regardless - even if deceased). And, for what it's worth, I predict that somewhere between one and four percent of voters will mark your name.
Joe on July 17, 2008
I take a little bit of umbrage at the "frequent candidate" moniker. I'm not Basil or June by any means :) I never ran for office before 2000 and I have never run for more than one office in the same election ;)
I'm not a fringe candidate who gets 1-2% of the vote, but a real contender in each contest I have entered. In my races for the Signal Mountain Council and then, two years ago, the County Commission, I have earned more votes each time and my percentage of the votes is up, too. I got 31% with an "I" next to my name in a partisan election where Dr. Casavant had an "R" next to his (won't make that mistake again!). I think this time could be the charm!
And if I do win, unlike my opponent I do plan to serve out the full four-year term of office, not use it as a platform to run for another office in two years.
Don't count out Gregg Juster, either. Neither his opponent nor mine have the same level of support this time that they enjoyed in past elections.
It should be a very interesting next three weeks!
Kevin on July 17, 2008
In response to ItsJustTroy about the District 7 candidates, there really is not much material difference in what they are "going to do." In fact, we haven't really heard anything they are going to do. The only thing that sets them apart is:
Linda touts her business experience and accomplishments. She believes that will help her deal with the issues facing the schools.
Michael touts his experience IN the schools and his active, and recent, participation in the schools.
Both have good "backgrounds" but neither have really said anything specific they will do (and if they did, we don't know how).
Jonathan on July 17, 2008
@Kevin: If I were still in your district, I would vote for you.
Kevin on July 18, 2008
I'm not overly impressed with our choices. Should we have a fundraising blitz, print a bunch of signs, and display them overnight before the elections? ;)