Here is the deal, Hammond has sent a fundraising letter to developers, Attorneys and well connected people that have business before County Commission and is seeking campaign contributions from them of no less than $100 and up to the maximum contribution of $1,000.
In this letter, you need to go no further than the first 12 words to see the liar connection. The letter states “When I was elected to serve on County Commission in 2006.” 2006? Hammond was first elected in 2004. He won a close election, barely defeating John Schoonmaker to fulfill the remaining portion of Mike Arms term. Hammond desires for the public to ignore this fact. That is why he is lying and shielding the facts from the public. Why? Because the Charter that governs Knox County clearly makes him ineligible to be a candidate for a third term. Here is what the Charter states. The bold type is the most critical and is in bold type for emphasis.
This Section of our Charter was approved by an overwhelming margin, more than 75% of the voters approved it in 1994. Current Circuit Court Judge Dale Workman was Knox County Law Director when the Home Rule Charter was written and approved by the voters. So, he can be considered an expert in the definition of this law. Our sources indicate that he has opined that any portion of two terms is the legislative intent.
So, Hammond appears to be a liar and a professional politician, doing whatever it takes to remain in power.
Sec. 9.17. Term limits.
A. Effective January 1, 1995, no person shall be eligible to serve in any elected office of Knox County if during the previous two terms of that office the person in question has served more than a single term. Service prior to the passage of this measure shall not count in determining length of service. Judges are exempt from this provision.
B. In January prior to each state legislative session until such a time that it can be certified that the legislative term limits described in this clause have been enacted, the clerk shall write all state legislators whose districts include any part of Knox County stating that the people of Knox County desire an opportunity to vote on legislative term limits. The people of Knox County respectfully request that a proposed constitutional amendment limit each Representative to six years (three terms) in the Tennessee House of Representatives and eight years (two terms) in the Tennessee Senate. The people of Knox County also instruct all state legislators representing any part of Knox County to pass this proposed constitutional amendment and place it on the general election ballot.
C. In January of each year until such a time that it can be certified that the term limits described in this clause have been enacted, the clerk of Knox County shall write all U.S. Representatives whose districts include any part of Knox County’s limits and both federal Senators stating that the people of this municipality support term limits for the U.S. Congress. The people of Knox County respectfully request that a proposed federal constitutional amendment limit each Representative to six years (three terms) in the United States House of Representatives and twelve years (two terms) in the United States Senate. The people of this municipality also instruct their federal delegation to pass a constitutional amendment imposing these limits and submit it to the states for ratification.
D. If any provision of this petition shall be held unconstitutional, invalid or inapplicable to any persons or circumstances, then it is intended and declared by the people of the County that all other provisions of this petition and their application to all other persons and circumstances shall be severable and shall not be affected by such decision.
(Ref. of 11-8-94)
Will Jack McElroy, Bruce Hartmann buy into this cover up? Unconfirmed reports are that a group is being formed to “educate” the public about Mr. Hammond. It is reported that the group is likely to be named after a country music song, “Paint Me A Birmingham”
