Assistant District Attorney Rodney Strong has picked up papers to run for the open Division I Criminal Court judge seat.

Mr. Strong is planning to run as a Democrat for the seat now held by Judge Doug Meyer, who is retiring.

Barry Steelman, chief deputy in the district attorney office, is planning to run as a Republican.

Mr. Strong was one of five candidates for the appointment to the vacant Criminal Court judge Division III seat. He was not one of those recommended by the Judicial Selection Commission for replacing Judge Steve Bevil, who died several months ago.

Attorney Bill Speek has picked up papers to run for judge of Signal Mountain. Attorney Rob Philyaw said he also plans to run.

Mark Rothberger is the incumbent Signal Mountain judge.

Mr. Philyaw grew up as the son of a Baptist minister and is married to Dr. Kathy Philyaw, who practices pediatric medicine at Pediatric Specialists. They have two children, Ben and Katie, who attend Thrasher Elementary School where both he and his wife are active members of the Thrasher PTA.

Mr. Philyaw said, "My proudest accomplishments are my marriage and his two children. We enjoy boating, camping and Braves baseball among other things."

He serves as a volunteer in several of the Signal Mountain Recreation sports leagues and has coached baseball, basketball, soccer, and
softball teams. The Philyaws are active members of Signal Mountain Baptist Church.

Mr. Philyaw said, "I am proud to live and work on the mountain."

He lives in the Carriage Hill neighborhood, where he serves as the president of the property owners' association, and since 2002, he has practiced at the Walden Commons office on Taft Highway. He formerly
practiced at the downtown law firm of Shumacker Witt Gaither & Whitaker,
P.C.

Mr. Philyaw worked his way through college in retail management for Red Food Stores and as a category manager for the nation's largest wholesale grocery distributor, Fleming Companies. He earned an undergraduate degree from Christian Brothers University in Memphis. While at Fleming, he was awarded the President's Award after only two years of service. He also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Christian Brothers University during this time.

Before attending law school, Mr. Philyaw taught as an adjunct professor in the Fogelman College of Business and Economics at the University of Memphis and worked as a regional manager for a national consumer products company.

While in law school at the University of Memphis, he earned several awards of distinction, including the Dean's Award for Academic Excellence, the Dean's Award for Outstanding Service, and the AmJur Award for Professional Responsibility. During his final year of law school, Mr. Philyaw served as the Editor-in-Chief of the law school's Journal of Practice and Procedure.

As a lawyer, Mr. Philyaw has conducted trials in state and federal court ranging from small matters to first-degree murder. He has represented large corporations as well as individuals and his practice has included civil matters, including personal injury, real estate, contract, business formation, domestic, as well as the drafting of wills and other estate planning documents. He has successfully represented clients in the courts of Tennessee and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati, Ohio and was named an Outstanding Volunteer Contributor in 2005 by Legal Aid of East Tennessee for his pro-bono work for indigent clients.

Mr. Philyaw said the Town Municipal Court "does so much more than render disposition for speeding tickets. Our police are active protectors of the lifestyle that we hold dear. I am looking forward to using my professional and legal experiences to administer justice in a fair and respectful manner, while applying the Town ordinances and laws of the state of Tennessee that make Signal Mountain a safe, comfortable, and unique place to live.

He said, "Several years ago, I committed to practice my profession in the community in which I live, worship and play. The move proved to be a tremendous opportunity professionally and personally. I am committed to the town and the community of Signal Mountain. I tell people all the time that I believe Signal Mountain is the one of the best places in the country to raise a family and I want to help keep it that way."

County Commission 1
Fred Skillern (R)

County Commission 2
Richard Casavant (R) Qualified
Jimmy Holloway (R)

County Commission 3
Terry Conley (R) Qualified
Bill Guest (R)
James A. "Al" Smith (R)

County Commission 4
Brian Caldwell (R)
William Cotton (D) Qualified
Warren Mackey (D) Qualified

County Commission 5
Greg Beck (D) Qualified
Rev. Bernie Miller (R) Qualified

County Commission 6
John Brooks (D)
Lou Miller (D) Qualified

County Commission 7
Red Burrows (R) Qualified
Larry Henry (R) Qualified
Curtis Smith (R)

County Commission 8
Curtis Adams (R) Qualified
John Bailes (D) Qualified

County Commission 9
Bill Hullander (R)

Trustee
Carl Levi (R) Qualified

Register of Deeds
Pam Hurst (R) Qualified

Circuit Court Clerk
Paula Thompson (D) Qualified

County Clerk
Bill Knowles (D) Qualified

Juvenile Court Clerk
Ron Swafford (D) Qualified

District Attorney
Bill Cox (R) Qualified

Criminal Court Clerk
Gwen Tidwell (D) Qualified
Johnny Horne (R) Qualified

Sheriff
David Alverson (R) Qualified
Anthony Chatman (D) Qualified
John Cupp (R)
Henry "Hank" DeArman (D) Qualified
Andy Derryberry (R) Qualified
Billy Long (D) Qualified
Jim Swafford (D)

Criminal Court Judge Division I
Barry Steelman (R)
Rodney Strong (D)

Criminal Court Judge Division II
Rebecca Stern (R) Qualified

Criminal Court Judge Division III
Was held by Judge Steve Bevil, who died recently. Governor is naming replacement until the election.

City Court Judge Division I
Sherry Paty Qualified
Gerald Webb

City Court Judge Division II
Russell Bean

Circuit Court Judge Division I
Jackie Schulten (D) Qualified

Circuit Court Judge Division II
Jeff Hollingsworth (R)
Jack Benson Jr.
Richard Pettit (R)
Jeffrey Atherton (R)

Circuit Court Judge Division III
Marie Williams (R)

Circuit Court Judge Division IV
Neil Thomas (R)

Chancery Court Judge Part I
Frank Brown (R) Qualified

Chancery Court Judge Part II
Howell Peoples (D)

Juvenile Court Judge
Suzanne Bailey (R)

General Sessions Court Division I
Christy Mahn Sell
Bob Davis Qualified
Mike Acuff

General Sessions Court Division II
David Bales

General Sessions Court Division III Clarence Shattuck

General Sessions Court Division IV Ron Durby Qualified

General Sessions Court Division V
Bob Moon Qualified

Soddy-Daisy City Judge
David Norton

Signal Mountain City Judge
Bill Speek

County School Board District 3
Everett Fairchild

County School Board District 5
Jeffrey Wilson

County School Board District 6
Janice Boydston

County School Board District 8
Kenny Smith

County School Board District 9
Chester Bankston

Congress Third District
Zach Wamp (R)
Doug Vandergriff (R)

House District 26
Gerald McCormick (R)

House District 29
JoAnne Favors (D)

The primary election is May 2.