Election beginning to heat up

By MIKE WEST, Courier Editor

With the application deadline approaching, a number of local candidates have already filed for office in the Cannon County General Election.

Thus far, the 5th District race for County Commission has generated the most candidates.

A great deal of information about the upcoming elections is available on the commission's web site at http://www.cannoncountyelections.com

"Four have picked up the paper work," said Dorinda Mankin, Cannon County Administer of Elections, who pointed out two seats are available for the 5th District post just like any other County Commission post.

Currently holding the seats are Jim Jones and Chuck Holt. Both men were recently appointed by the County Commission to fill seats vacated by Kevin Mooneyham and the late Bob Stoetzel. Mooneyham recently moved to the 4th District and is seeking a seat in that district.

Running against Jones and Holt are Chris Brushaber and Stephen Brown.

Perhaps the most interesting race thus far is for sheriff.

Sheriff Darrell Young is seeking re-election with former Deputy Brad Hall vying for the post. However, former Sheriff Charley Brandon has also filed for the post.

Brandon lost his citizenship rights and resigned as sheriff after he was convicted of certain felonies while holding the office of Cannon County Sheriff. He pled guilty to official misconduct in 2001 in Cannon County and was convicted by a jury that same year in Rutherford County of conspiracy to coerce a witness and coercion of a witness.

The convictions came after a lengthy investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation which led to Brandon's indictment on 40 counts of official misconduct, 1 count of sexual battery, 2 counts of tampering with evidence and 1 count of coercion of a witness.

Those charges stemmed from accusations by several female inmates at the Cannon County Jail that Brandon had sex with them while they were incarcerated and that he then attempted to intimidate witnesses involved in the case.

In October 2010, Brandon filed suit in Cannon County Circuit Court to give him all of his civil rights back, including the right to vote and seek public office.

Mankin said the final decision on whether or not Brandon can run for sheriff is with the state Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) commission.

"It's up to the POST commission if they get to go on the ballot or not,' she said.

As the ballot begins to finalize, it is a good time for voters to resolve any issue.

"If they aren't registered to vote, now is a good time," Mankin said.

Changes of voters' addresses are also important and can save a tremendous amount of time on election day.

If you have moved within Cannon County and are already a registered voter in Cannon county you can download a form available on the Election Commission's website at
http://www.cannoncountyelections.com, complete and sign it, scan the form and email it as an attachment election@dtccom.net.

You may also mail it or bring it in person to the Cannon County Election Commission Office at 301 West Main St. Room# 244 Woodbury, TN 37190 to change your address.