Hamilton County Commission Chairman Curtis Adams likes to say he's listed in the phone book, but his District 8 constituents won't know whom to call when he resigns in May.
"I think we need representation," said Frances Pope, an East Ridge resident. "Many civic organizations call Curtis for money. That will be a detriment to them."
After 22 years on the County Commission, Mr. Adams will leave on May 13 to take the job as city manager in Crossville, Tenn. State law dictates that filling the vacancy is optional because Mr. Adams' last day falls fewer than 120 days before county elections in August.
Several commissioners reached this week supported filling the seat, but they preferred to wait until Mr. Adams begins working in Crossville.
"It's like when a person goes to hospice -- you're not going to talk about filling his position until after the funeral," Commissioner Greg Beck said. "You give Curtis the respect that the position is still filled."
Mr. Adams doesn't think finding a temporary replacement is worth advertising the position, interviewing candidates and whittling the list to one. He said he has confidence in his colleagues to help his constituents, who live in Chattanooga and East Ridge.
"You've got eight other commissioners up there that will fill in," he said last week. "East Ridge won't lack attention."
But East Ridge Mayor Mike Steele contends commissioners already struggle with their own districts. Compounding that issue, he said, campaign season swells at the same time Mr. Adams plans to step down.
"As good as the other eight men are, they can't possibly get involved in what's going on in District 8," Mr. Steele said. "We're going to have a period of time where we're not going to have anybody focusing on our needs and issues."
That time period could last as long as four months because the winner among the five candidates running for Mr. Adams' seat won't take office until September.
Commission Vice Chairman Fred Skillern becomes chairman once Mr. Adams leaves.
DISTRICT 8 FACTS* Covers East Ridge and several parts of Chattanooga (Brainerd, Brainerd Hills, Eastgate)* 22,560 active registered voters* Curtis Adams has represented the area for 22 years.Source: Hamilton County Election Commission
"I fully intend to bring this up and ask them to make a decision," Mr. Skillern said. "That will be our first test as a commission. If it's not filled, one-ninth of the population won't have representation."
Commissioner Bill Hullander said he would vote to fill the seat with certain conditions.
"We need to let it be someone who is not running for office," he said. "Some individual that's retired or some person that would be willing and knows the district real well."
Mr. Steele credited Mr. Adams with always being responsive to residents. He acknowledged that people move on to loftier positions, but said he doesn't want East Ridge residents to hear a dial tone when they call the county for help.
"I would hate to have an issue that came up where our citizens needed their county commissioner and no one was there," he said.
Continue reading by following these links to related stories:
Article: Commissioners take turns roasting Adams
Article: Commission debates whether to fill Adams' seat
Article: Adams could leave District 8 without representation