tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15078815.post1345473277190730237..comments2023-09-25T21:22:28.439-04:00Comments on Cup Of Joe Powell: OpenPen: Online News For East TennesseeJoe Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04326800254526438870noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15078815.post-72477047279728379552009-04-17T16:09:00.000-04:002009-04-17T16:09:00.000-04:00On Tuesday, the 14th, the new Republican majority ...On Tuesday, the 14th, the new Republican majority of the Sullivan County Election Commission effectively shut out the Democrats from selection of a new Administrator. Although Gena Frye was still on the job, and no public notice had been given of the "vacancy" Republican James Holmes and his Republican cohorts accepted applications and conducted interviews in secret. Democratic Councilwoman Betsy Shine was given one days notice by e-mail of these interviews and was unable to attend due to recent surgery. Democrat Leslie Carr stated that she received no notice and that she learned of the impending vote on the position when she read it in the paper on Sunday, the 11th. This situation is more than likely a violation of the Sunshine Law and even the right-wing leaning Kingsport-Times News editorial opinion condemned the actions of the Republicans. The Bristol Herald Courier led the story with a headline of "Partisan Power Play."<br />The other "candidates" for this position still have not been revealed, and Ms Frye was fired on the spot, in spite of the fact that Municipal elections are a month away. The new Administrator, Jason Booher, just happened to be the Chair of the Sullivan County Republican Party. Look for more of this type of action across the state as the GOP fully intends to replace all Administrators across the state. The Attorney General's Opinion of April 8th on this matter states that Administrators may not be fired for partisan reasons unless they are policy makers, which Ms Frye was NOT! There is more information at http://www.justwondrin.blogspot.com or http://www.northeastda.org (Northeast Tennessee Democratics website)<br />We need these actions publicized across the state. <br />In the past, Republican administrators all across the country have attempted to disenfranchise voters through illegal voter purges,caging, and challenges at the polling place. We must not let this happen in Tennessee.<br />(Maybe I've posted this in the wrong place, but publicizing this is important)Susan Harrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10264076421415454122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15078815.post-13891391204825532272009-03-20T15:51:00.000-04:002009-03-20T15:51:00.000-04:00Groovy. Thanks for pointing this out.Groovy. Thanks for pointing this out.Newscomahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.com