From the Cleveland Daily Banner: Just over one week ago, Charleston City Commissioner Frankie McCartney passed away following what authorities hav
From the Cleveland Daily Banner: Just over one week ago, Charleston City Commissioner Frankie McCartney passed away following what authorities have called an accident at his home. His death has left the Commission with a vacant seat to fill.
Mayor Donna McDermott says she will be talking with the city administration about the proper procedure to fill McCartney’s seat on the three-member commission.
The commission had to fill the seat of Garett Hammontree, who resigned from the commission in August 2022 and was later indicted on four counts of statutory rape and pleaded guilty to one of those counts in September, receiving a 12-year sentence.
Tennessee law states that only one member of the Commission can be appointed, any additional vacancies should be elected by a special election.
McDermott stated at the Tuesday commission meeting that such a special election would cost the city “$10,000 to $20,000.”
Bradley County Election Administrator Fran Green said a special election if that is the direction the Charleston Commission decides, could not be held until after the upcoming local primaries in March.
All three seats on the Charleston City Commission will be on the Aug. 1, 2024, ballot, which is the state and federal primary and state and county general election.
