Chattanooga: Healy continues mayoral run despite residency questions

Former Chattanooga Parks and Recreation head Rob Healy said Thursday he plans to continue his bid to run against Mayor Ron Littlefield in the spring.

“As it stands right now, I plan to pick up qualifying papers and get them in as soon as possible,” he said.

Candidates can pick up qualifying petitions to run in the March election on Sept. 19, election officials said.

Questions have arisen about whether Mr. Healy, who was fired by Mr. Littlefield in March 2006, fits the Chattanooga residency requirement to run for the election. City Attorney Randy Nelson and State Election Administrator Brooke Thompson have both said they do not think he meets the requirement.

The issue is whether Mr. Healy needs to live in the city at least a year before the qualifying date or a year before the March election, officials said. The Hamilton County Election Commission met in July but decided not to pursue any action on the case until Mr. Healy turns in qualifying papers.

Mr. Healy, who moved inside Chattanooga city limits in February, has said he believes the law states that he must live in the city for at least a year before the elections.

Hamilton County Elections Administrator Bud Knowles said Thursday that, once the papers have been turned in, the Election Commission would meet to discuss his residency status.

“He has that right,” Mr. Knowles said. “We’ll treat him like everyone else.”

Commission attorney Jerry Summers said he agreed with Mr. Nelson and Mr. Thompson about the residency requirements, but did see some “ambiguity” in the law.

“It’s an issue that needs to be resolved,” he said.