Jerry Summers
Disclaimer: This article was prepared (now updated) before the August 1, 2024 General Election but its release has been held in order that the author’s powerful political machine voice of influence could not be accused of an attempt to sway any dissident voters from the traditional method of electoral Democracy by coverage of write in candidates in the region above the Nat Winston Hospital across the crystal clear Volunteer River.
The traditional political donnybrook at election time as to who will have the privilege of defending the property tax increases, battle for the Incline fees, and make certain that there are no more than two potholes between Gem Falls and East Eye Lid Road in the “Battle Above the Clouds” domain has ended.
While it was presumed that the “write in slate” would once again be defeated at the polls past displays of sarcastic senses of humor by a few renegade voters from high necessitated that the Chosen Ones must not take their election wins for granted and had to mount vigorous campaigns to assure their victories in the American democracy exercise.
In past elections write-in hopefuls such as “Mickey Mouse”, “Donald Duck”, “William C.” (in absentia), “Elvis Presley”, etc. and a host of other serious candidates may have tried to gain enough support to create an atmosphere of apprehension before the victory champagne was put on ice at the “Elfland” Club beautiful vista.
In a sense of precaution and tonic of preventative medicine a call had gone forth to the surviving members of the “Brockettes” to roll the vote topside (and in the Valley) that started the Candyman on his long political career culminating many years of excellent service in beautiful Washington, D.C.
With their RS (Raulston) straw hats, candy striped mini skirts, and signs of “Let Bill Do It” that worked in 1962, their support and vote harvesting talents might have been necessary again to defeat the “write in” radical slate.
There were no announced “coyote shooting candidates” on the list of hopeful write ins on the titanic battle for public political power that may have diminished the size of the turnout on August 1, 2024.
There also remained the equally enticing three person opportunity to serve on the Town’s School Board since the write in openings are also on the ballot and more serious issues may be headed for discussion this year as to whether any security officers protecting the students (like below) can carry an Uzi machine gun or other non-deadly weapons.
(Taking away the misguided levity for a moment if there is ever a political office position that deserves the Citizenship Medal of Honor for non-combat it should be those brave souls who present themselves for service on a local school board! The only more dangerous public position could possibly be that of a Little League parent baseball coach who forgets to allow a fellow mom and dad’s offspring to play in a game!)
PS: However the electorate above has spoken and Democracy has prevailed again and the ruling hunta has swept to victory with only 46 write in votes for the Council and 9 votes for the School Board being tabulated.
Due to a quirk in Tennessee law a long shot hopeful has to file to be a write in candidate at least 50 days before the election to be put on the ballot and be identified for the public voters. Therefore the HCEC properly did not put Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, WC, and Elvis on the 2024 slate.
PSS: Thank you to all of the candidates and residents of the mountain that supported the “Bingo for the Grove” event held on Saturday night, August 10, 2024.
PSSS: It’s only four more years to the next election and being a politico is like skiing on a slippery slope in Florida!
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