Panel Says He Can File Lawsuit In Chancery Court
posted October 6, 2008
The Election Commission on Monday morning voted 4-0 to deny an application to run for mayor of Chattanooga filed by former city parks and recreation director Rob Healy.
Commission members said they were relying on opinions from their attorney, Jerry Summers, as well as City Attorney Randy Nelson and State Election Coordinator Brook Thompson.
Mr. Healy has lived in the city long enough if the criterion is by election time, but not long enough if the standard is by the qualifying deadline.
The rulings have said that the current City Charter gives the latter definition. Attorneys said wording was mistakenly not transferred to a version of the charter on the city website.
Mr. Healy said afterwards that he is "very disappointed in the ruling and this whole process."
He said, "I wrote a letter to the election office the first of June asking for qualification on this issue. The fact that I am just now getting a ruling is unbelievable."
Mr. Healy said he still believes "that the charter itself says the deadline is by the election."
He said, "I don't have the funds to hire a lawyer and take this to court. But I will talk to a few friends before deciding what to do next."
Voting to deny the application were Mike Walden, J.B. Bennett, Virgil Roberson and Chairman Dot Eddington.
Sharlotte Polk was absent.
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