Audio clip
Chattanooga City Council meeting
Video: Councilman Franklin indicted
The Chattanooga City Council has scheduled a special meeting for next Tuesday to discuss the future of the District 5 seat after its representative, indicted Councilman John “Duke” Franklin Jr., turned in his letter of resignation Wednesday.
Mr. Franklin — arrested last week on federal charges of money laundering, giving false statements to federal officials and conspiring to obstruct justice in connection with an alleged cocaine distribution operation — plans to step down from the council effective June 3, according to the letter dated Wednesday and addressed to Council Chairwoman Linda Bennett.
“Recent events make it necessary for me to resign my position as a member of the Chattanooga City Council representing District 5,” Mr. Franklin stated in the letter. “Present economic times and the needs of our community deserve full-time attention of all elected and appointed officials. I recognize that I am not able to give such attention at this time.”
IN HIS WORDS
City Councilman John “Duke” Franklin Jr., indicted last week on charges of money laundering, giving false statements to federal officials and conspiring to obstruct justice, plans to step down from the panel’s District 5 seat effective June 3. Here are excerpts from his resignation letter:
* “I have enjoyed my years of service to the community and only hope the best for all of the citizens of Chattanooga.”
* “My prayers are forever with all of you, and I hope you will remember me in your prayers as I navigate through the next several days and months.”
Mr. Franklin could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
The council will discuss the District 5 seat at Tuesday’s specially called meeting of the Legal and Legislative Committee, set for 2 p.m.
“We need to have an open conversation about next steps,” Ms. Bennett said.
Due to election-related deadlines, it would not be possible to hold a special contest for District 5 during the Aug. 7 election, said Jerry Summers, attorney for the Hamilton County Election Commission.
City Attorney Randy Nelson said earlier this week that, if Mr. Franklin were to resign, a special election for his seat most likely would be held in November.
Ms. Bennett noted Wednesday that a November special election would be just months ahead of the March city elections, and it would be hard for someone to run two races in such close proximity.
“To me that would be very difficult,” she said.
After the latest council vacancies — created by the departures of Yusuf Hakeem in District 9 and Marti Rutherford in District 6 — the council appointed temporary replacements who did not run in the special elections for the seats.
Councilman Jack Benson, chairman of the Legal and Legislative Committee, said in the past he supported those decisions because the council was not giving an incumbent status — and therefore an election advantage — to the appointees for those districts.
But he said that he is reconsidering his position since the council was so pleased with Wallace Powers, who was the temporary caretaker for District 9, and Mike Feely, who briefly held the District 6 seat.
“I think the council is just going to have to come to a very hard decision on that,” he said.
But Ms. Bennett said she would like to see the council continue its precedent of appointing a temporary caretaker who agrees not to run in the election for the vacant seat.
Meanwhile, Russell Gilbert Sr., a Bonny Oaks resident and Parkridge Medical Center worker, said Wednesday that he plans to run for District 5. He joins Robert Schreane, former chairman of the North Brainerd Community Council, and Cynthia Stanley Cash, president of the North Brainerd Neighborhood Association, as potential candidates.
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