Be Informed, Respectful, and Active With Elections

This is an important week for Jefferson County. Saturday, the Republican Women held a candidate forum for the May and August elections. The room was obviously divided by the Sheriff’s election, with half of the room in Orange and Blue and half the room in Yellow and Blue. For those attending the forum that were not vocal supporters of either of the Sheriff’s candidates, it was uncomfortable choosing where to sit. Truthfully, however, there were very few in attendance that were not wearing their colors.

Though the interaction between the two camps ranged from stilted to non-existent, I am happy to say that both sides showed decorum when the candidates spoke. It is important that this community is respectful of all of its members, regardless of their political affiliations. I watched the interaction closely for many reasons, among them the fact that the Jefferson County Post is hosting the Primary Candidate Debate this Tuesday and Saturday’s event, though no questions were posed, is the closest to a debate that has been seen, yet, this election season. Debates, by nature, are electric, highly-charged events. This election is already an electric, highly charged event. And not just in the Sheriff’s race. The Jefferson County Mayor’s race has steam of its own, as, to a lesser extent, does the County Court Clerk and Trustee. Those seeking the judicial position of General Sessions Judge appear to be keeping it between the navigational poles and maintaining a civil campaign. Perhaps the very real possibility of a future appearance in the victor’s court keeps the playing field clean. Whatever the reason, it is nice to see.

Early voting starts this week. I certainly hope that every eligible voter will exercise his voting privilege. Life is busy and things happen but there are two weeks worth of opportunities to early vote and, of course, there is Election Day. I encourage every registered voter to find time to cast your ballot. If you haven’t registered to vote, shame on you. Take yourself down to the Jefferson County Election Office, behind the Jefferson County Health Department in the Industrial Park in Dandridge, and register. It seriously takes very, very little time. No, you will not be allowed to vote in the May election but you can certainly exercise your privilege in August-and every following election.

I hope that I will see many of you at the debate on Tuesday evening (6:30 @ the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse) and I hope that you will cast your vote with conscious and careful consideration. Be informed. Be a force in the direction of Jefferson County-VOTE-. It really is important.