An attorney defending the Cumberland County Election Commission and Sharon York filed an answer in the complaint filed against them by former Administrator of Elections Suzanne Smith.
In the answer attorney Jeff Ward of Ward, Williams states they agree the election commission's Republican members discussed the election commission prior to the April 22, 2009 meeting in which Suzanne Smith was released and York was hired as administrator.
The suit Smith filed seeks a writ of certiorari which requests Chancellor Ronald Thurman to review the decision made by the Cumberland County Election Commission on April 22, 2009, find the meeting to be "illegal and void" regarding the termination of Smith and to reinstate her job immediately with back pay and benefits for the time she was off.
A hearing on the matter was scheduled for Friday, Aug. 7, but it was removed from the docket, according to the Putnam County Clerk's office.
In the answer Ward states allegations in the complaint are denied and the answer requests they be explained and that "strict proof is demanded" of each allegation.
The answer was filed Aug. 4, 2009. The answer states the "Cumberland County Election Commission and Ms. Sharon York, pray that this case be dismissed with cost taxed to the Petitioner (Smith)."
However, Jeffrey Beemer, attorney for the individual defendant commissioners serving on the Cumberland County Election Commission, admitted the group violated the state's Open Meetings Act (Sunshine Law) in naming York as administrator of elections.
The admission was made in the defense's answer to the complaint filed by Smith in the other suit.
That answer to the complaint was filed July 7, 2009 in the Circuit Court of Cumberland County. The individual defendants in the case are Cumberland County Election Commission members Denver Cole, Thomas Henderson and Calvin Smart.
"The defendants admit that they agreed and decided in advance of the April 22, 2009 Election Commission meeting that they would appoint Sharon York as administrator of elections, which resulted in the termination of the plaintiff (Suzanne Smith) as administrator of elections ...," the response states.
In the meantime the election commission decided to make York an interim administrator of elections and interview candidates for a permanent administrator.
The election commission is scheduled to meet Tuesday at 4 p.m. to interview the eight final candidates for administrator of elections permanent position.
Those candidates in no particular order are Brian Jones, Teresa Graham, Suzanne Smith, Gordon Linkous, Machelle Tenbroeke, Alexis Denton, Patrick Dean and Sharon York.
The candidates will be interviewed again at 4 p.m. at the election commission office on Main St. across from the Cumberland County Courthouse.
Both lawsuits filed by Smith against the election commission and the individual members remain pending.
Area News
Election commission, York seek dismissal of suit in response to complaint
- Area News
-
-
A champion fair!
Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) Commissioner Julius Johnson recently presented awards to 56 of the state’s top county agricultural fairs. They were recognized with the Merit Award for outstanding achievement during the 2011 fair season. More than 950 people attended the Fairs Merit Awards recognition dinner at the 90th Annual Tennessee Association of Fairs (TAF) convention held January 19-21, in Nashville.
-
Test scores to be reflected in final grades
While student achievement and growth on test scores have begun being used to evaluate teacher performance and to score school districts on effectiveness, those scores have not been reflected on an individual student's report card. That will change with the 2012 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) test when state law will require schools to use those scores as part of a student's final grade.
-
Sneak peek at this year's hottest Super Bowl ads
The Super Bowl is a must-watch TV event, if not for the outcome of the biggest football game of the year, then at least for the multi-million dollar commercials that run throughout. And this year’s buzzworthy spots include celebrity appearances, homages to movies and lots of humor.
-
Counterfeiting draws two-year sentence
A Cumberland County man who was among several local residents charged by Crossville Police with being involved in counterfeiting schemes pleaded guilty last week in Criminal Court and received a two-year prison sentence.
-
Argument over pillows, ashtray, leads to stabbing
A Crossville man suffered a collapsed lung and a woman has been arrested on a felony charge in connection with an incident that took place last week in the city, according to reports.
-
Women charged in theft from employer scheme
Two women were arrested and stolen property recovered after a corporate loss prevention officer uncovered a theft scheme, according to Crossville Police reports.
-
SLIDESHOW: Super Bowl by the numbers
The nation's biggest sporting event produces some staggering statistics, from the number of chicken wings consumed -- 1.25 billion -- to the amount of money some people plan to bet on the game.
-
Special blood drive set today
The American Red Cross is reporting lower donations than expected since the start of 2012. O blood types are particularly low, but all blood types are needed.
-
Trio charged with cockfighting in the city
Three young Cumberland County men charged with fighting roosters said they were only sparring their birds, and not holding a cockfight. Doesn't matter, said Crossville Police, who took the trio into custody and formally charged them with what some call a sport now banned in Tennessee.
-
Residents say 'No Dump'
Residents of the Crab Orchard community told their city council members a landfill isn't welcome in their community at a public hearing last week. Others expressed concern that a landfill would not spur the type of development they envision for the small town east of Crossville.
- More Area News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
