County Commissioner Curtis Adams said talk that he worked out a sweeping political deal with East Ridge Mayor Mike Steele and Rep. Vince Dean is "absolutely a fairy tale."
He denied there was any planning to get him named East Ridge city manager, Rep. Dean put in as Hamilton County sheriff and Mayor Steele off to the General Assembly.
"I don't know where people come up with that kind of tale," said Commissioner Adams, who last week was named East Ridge interim city manager with pay of about $60,000 and a car provided.
Mayor Steele acknowledged he has an interest in being named to the House District 30 post by the County Commission should Rep. Dean vacate that spot, but said any talk of a deal worked out ahead of time "is ridiculous."
He said, "I am not going to throw away my good name by cooking up some deal in a back room."
Mayor Steele said he did not ask Commissioner Adams about the city manager job until longtime city manager David Mays submitted his resignation and two East Ridge Council members told him they wanted Commissioner Adams for the job.
County Commissioner Greg Beck, who won the Democratic nod for sheriff, said he believes Rep. Dean already has the GOP nomination locked up, and he said other Republican candidates "are wasting their time. They should go ahead and plan to run as Independents."
He also questioned why the Republican meetings to chose delegates tonight and then March 27 to choose the nominee are being held in Rep. Dean's home area of East Ridge.
Connie Weathers, who heads the county GOP, said the Dean candidacy was not a factor.
She said the East Ridge Community Building next to City Hall was one of the few places available.
Mayor Steele said several years ago he had an interest in running for the state legislature, and he picked up qualifying papers before deciding against it.
Mayor Steele, 54, said, "I thought my time had passed to be in the legislature, but this has opened up a possible opportunity."
He said, "I just want the best person in there. If someone better than me comes along, I'll get behind them. I just don't know who that person is right now."
Mayor Steele said the car Commissioner Adams was given to drive by East Ridge has about 150,000 miles on it.
Commissioner Adams said he has no interest in being named East Ridge mayor should Mayor Steele move on.