Lenoir City gets three new offic

All three contested Lenoir City positions in Thursday’s election were filled with newcomers.

City Attorney Gregg Harrison won Lenoir City Judge with 350 votes to incumbent Robin McNabb’s 313 and 296 for challenger Amanda Smith, according to unofficial results from the Loudon County Election Commission.

Harrison said he was a little disappointed he lost at the Eaton and the War Memorial Building polling locations on Election Day, but early voting gave him the edge.

“I appreciate everybody coming out to vote,” Harrison said. “Definitely appreciate, obviously, the people that came out and voted for me. I will serve the community. I hope that I make everybody proud.”

All three contested Lenoir City positions in Thursday’s election were filled with newcomers.

Harrison said he was a little disappointed he lost at the Eaton and the War Memorial Building polling locations on Election Day, but early voting gave him the edge.

He said one of his top priorities as the new judge is to expand the court.

Harrison said he plans to “hit the ground running” Sept. 1 and start taking cases that have been going to General Sessions Court in Loudon. The court will begin holding sessions three days a week with a goal of going full time, he said.

“I’m from Loudon County,” he said. “I have a vested interest in the success of our county, and I hope that they feel that I have done, or will be doing, a great job for the city. That’ll make them happy, that’ll make them proud, because that’s all I want to do.”

Mayor Tony Aikens said he looks forward to a working relationship with Harrison.

“The voters have spoken,” Aikens said. “I hope to have — I know I will have — a better relationship with the judge-elect, and I think the voters wanted a change. They believed in what we were saying, and I certainly appreciate that.”

McNabb and Smith could not be reached for comment.

During Monday’s meeting of Lenoir City Council, Harrison wasted no time asking that the salary for the judge position be reevaluated to reflect extra days added to the court. He said he plans on keeping his private practice in addition to duties as a judge.

The city informed the three candidates by letter in April that the salary for the position would be decreasing from $75,000 to $7,200 starting with the new term Sept. 1.

Aikens told council Monday he had set up a committee to review if the judge salary should be increased. Committee members include Councilman Mike Henline, Lenoir City Police Capt. David Flynn and Lenoir City residents Tammy Powell and Chris Swafford. Council unanimously approved the committee.

The committee will provide a council a recommendation on the matter at the Aug. 22 council meeting. Aikens said the city will hold a public hearing at 5:45 p.m. Aug. 22 at city hall for Lenoir City residents to voice concerns or comments.

Lenoir City Board of Education also gained two new faces.

Laci Murray, who received 413 votes, and Chris Clabough, with 399 votes, will be sworn into office. Incumbent Matthew Coleman fell short with 319 votes, while Monty Ross had 270, according to unofficial results.

Murray said she wasn’t nervous about the outcome because no matter who won she said city schools would be in “good hands.”

She said her top priorities are to represent parents, get acclimated to the board and keep the schools “on the right path.”

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve on school board, and I hope I can make you proud,” Murray said. “… I love Lenoir City. I love our schools. I love our educators, and I’m just excited to be here — excited that people came to vote and trusted me with their vote.”

The top priority for Clabough is vocational programming and safety in schools. Since not every student plans to go to college, schools must train those students to enter the workforce, he said.

Clabough said he will approach BOE meetings with an open mind and is always available for discussion.

“I would like to thank the entire community for their support — without them I wouldn’t be in the position,” Clabough said. “I would specifically like to thank my family. My wife worked very, extremely hard on this campaign, and she was a trooper and appreciate all my family has done for me and all the support and, God willing, we’ll get through it.”

While disappointed by the outcome, Coleman said he plans to finish his term well and support the schools and community as a Lenoir City Panther.

“When I was first asked about the four people, the three others running, I think the city voters had four great options to choose from,” Coleman said. “I’m sure Chris Clabough and Laci Murray will do a great job for the city.”

Ross said she certainly had hoped to win but is more disappointed in low voter turnout. She said she got to know the other candidates while campaigning and thinks Clabough and Murray will do well.

“I was very impressed that they wanted to do something and serve the community,” Ross said. “All are interesting and great people.”