Here is the copy of the former KnoxDem Chairman’s resignation
My position as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Knox County requires that I support fully all Democrats on the ballot. This rule has placed me in the untenable position of having to support two candidates for County Commission who have repudiated their oaths of office. Since I cannot, in good conscience, support these candidates, I am resigning as Chairman.
I grew up believing in the principles embodied by the Democratic Party and intend to continue supporting any and all candidates who share those principles. Jim Gray July 1, 2006
At first glance this can be considered a principled statement. I congratulate him for stepping down and finally doing the right thing.
A few questions to consider. 1) Did the former KnoxDem Chairman understand the oath and position of the Chairman at the time of his two elections as Chairman. 2.) Did he understand his position before he excluded the party’s incumbents in official party communications? 3.) Why didn’t the former KnoxDem Chairman resign when he first recognized that he had a problem? 4.) Why did the former Chairman wait until two controversial party communications were made public? and finally 5.) Why did the former Chairman wait until he was contacted by the TN Democrat Party about his conflict and the state party required that he act to correct it?
Original post: As reported this morning in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, but first reported yesterday afternoon on the Hubert Smith Radio Show and last evening in the Halls Shopper News. In an unexpected turn of events the KnoxDem Chairman resigned his position on Saturday.
I look forward to continuing with my duties as Knox County’s Republican Chairman and look forward to see who the Demos will replace Betty Riddick, the interim KnoxDem Chair with. Maybe they will leave her as Chair and replace her position with someone else. Early speculation by sources in the KnoxDem party indicate that former County Commissioner and former failed Knoxville mayoral candidate Madeline Rogero may replace the former KnoxDem Chairman. I would welcome her to the fray. However, I believe she suffers from the same problem that the former Chairman had and that is her lack of support for the Demos incumbents.
Most individuals do not understand the role of Chairman. As Chairman, you must be a partisan and you must support the nominees and individuals on the ballot.
It is not a problem for me, in that I have been active in the Knox County Republican Party since 1982. I believe in and support all the Republican candidates on the ballot this year and every year since my involvement began at the age of 16. (Yes. I will be 40 this year, I will post about it when the time comes. Hold off your old man comments. You will plenty of opportunity when the time comes.)
This year, I believe that Knox County is better and will be best served the next four years with the leadership of the following persons.
Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale
Knox County Sheriff Tim Hutchison
Trustee Mike Lowe
Register of Deeds Steve Hall
Public Defender Mark Stephens
Circuit, Civil Sessions Clerk Cathy Quist
Criminal and Fourth Circuit Court Clerk Martha Phillips
Circuit Court Judge Dale Workman
Circuit Court Judge Wheeler Rosenbalm
Circuit Court Judge Div, IV Bill Swann
Chancellor John Weaver
Chancellor candidate Mike Moyers
Criminal Court Judge Ray Lee Jenkins
General Sessions Judge Div. I Chuck Cerny
General Sessions Judge Div. II Geoff Emery
General Sessions Judge Div. III Bob R. McGee
General Sessions Judge Div. IV candidate Andrew Jackson, VI
General Sessions Judge Div. V Tony Stansberry
Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin
County Commission
1st District Seat A Nick Della Volpe
1st District Seat B Ann Dingus
2nd District Seat A Commissioner David Collins
3rd District Seat A Tony Norman
3rd District Seat B Commissioner Ivan Harmon
4th District Seat A Commissioner John Schmid
4th District Seat B Commissioner Phil Guthe
5th District Seat A Commissioner Mike Hammond
5th District Seat B Commissioner Craig Leuthold
5th District Seat C Commissioner John Griess
6th District Seat A School Board Member Chuck James
6th District Seat B Greg Lambert
7th District Seat A R. Larry Smith
7th District Seat B Commission Chairman Scott Moore
8th District Seat A Phil Ballard
8th District Seat B Commissioner John Mills
9th District Seat A Commissioner Larry Clark
9th District Seat B Commissioner Paul Pinkston
To vote for anyone other than these persons or to vote for a Democrat is a step to take Knox County back to days of less significance. We need to go forward and never retreat.
