As I arrived tonight to the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA Center in East Knoxville there were cars everywhere. This was not gonna be the regular League of Women Voters candidate forum. The five candidates supported by the Scruffy City PAC had calendar conflicts. Those candidates are Elizabeth Murphy, Kim Smith, Nick Ciparro, Jim Klonaris and Garrett Holt.
Constance Every approached and asked, why do y’alls candidates not attend. I said they are not my candidates, however in the past couple years, Republican candidates haven’t attended LWV forums, because the perception is that the league is liberal and sometimes the co-sponsor of the forum is Planned Parenthood.
Anyway, the larger than normal crowd was well behaved, adhered to the rules set forth by the league and explained by the Moderator WATE News Reporter Blake Stephens.
Afterward, voices were raised by Councilwoman Lauren Rider, Constance Every and Rider stormed out. I talked with the lady that said Rider lied. One of the two questions and answers that I did not record involved how the city can help low income individuals stay in affordable housing. Jen McMahon, one of Rider’s opponents discussed a citizen that needed to replace some windows, assistance needed and the costly requirements to replace. Rider stood up and said she knew of the person and situation and the the individual had not even filed an application. The person McMahon was referring too was in the crowd after the forum was speaking to Rider and told Rider that she (Rider) was not truthful, tension got intense, words were shouted and Rider left. Again, another time I didn’t have recording rolling. I gave my contact information to the homeowner. So there could be more to come.
most of the crowd at the July 29, 2021 LWV City Council Candidate Forum
The Candidates present were in
Singh standing, to her left are Roberto, Smith and Hayes. Moderator Blake Stephens standing to Singh’s right
District 1, David Hayes and Tommy Smith. My impression was that both gave strong answers. Hayes set himself as not being the status quo, establishment candidate. Smith emphasized being a community servant.
District Two, Andrew Roberto discussed that he was elected by the district and citywide four years ago. A lot has changed including the pandemic and now people are back to wearing masks. He discussed Experience.
District Three Seema Singh discussed how different it is running as a candidate and running as someone who has served. She has learned that she still has her beliefs and positions, but the nine members of Council must work together.
District Four Jen McMahon and Lauren Rider, tensions seemed high, but I have already written about what happened afterwards. Both ladies and strong and forceful and so is their opponent Jim Klonaris, who had a scheduling conflict.
District Six, Gwen McKenzie and Deidra Harper, McKenzie was soft spoken and not what I expected. Harper was strong and forceful in her presentation.
Harper standing, McKenzie, Rider and McMahon and the deaf sign interpreter.
City voters need to know that Andrew Roberto, Seema Singh, and Lauren Rider all broke their oath of office when they voted for the Recode rezoning in 2018 even though they knew they were breaking state law. They were all sent a demand letter from attorney Andrew Fox explaining the state law and they still voted for Recode knowing their actions were illegal. They are all arrogant and conceited law breakers that need to be sent home.
There is a lawsuit in local court over their actions on Recode right now. Look it up.
These people should be voted out. If they won’t obey their oath of office what good are they?
https://cityviewmag.com/was-the-fix-in-for-recode/
Vote out Andrew Roberto, Seema Singh, and Lauren Rider.
https://votenorecode.com/