The bronze medal isn't as shiny when silver and gold are available, but Marc Gravitt is discovering just how little it means in East Ridge politics.
Last week, six candidates battled for two open City Council seats. Political newcomer Jim Bethune and Councilman Larry Sewell were victorious, each winning a little more than 20 percent of the vote. Gravitt finished third with 17 percent.
Councilman Brent Lambert leveled an equally jammed mayoral field, opening a third seat on the council. Basic math seems to clear the way for Gravitt, who received 1,490 votes, to take Lambert's seat.
But in East Ridge, third place doesn't win.
According to the City Charter, the new council members can appoint whomever they want to replace Lambert and finish his term, which ends in 2012. If the council doesn't appoint anyone by March 13, 2011, the decision falls to the mayor, who at that time will be Lambert.
"This is not about Marc Gravitt," said the third-place winner, who twice repeated the phrase during an interview. "It's a no-brainer. It's about the next person in line."
Bethune, who surfed an anti-incumbent, anti-deficit wave to first place, agreed.
"Our charter really needs to be changed," Bethune said. "Marc Gravitt got 1,500 votes; 1,500 people spoke."
But half the council is staying quiet. Sewell said he's still "getting over the election" and Councilman Denny Manning said he's "praying about it."
Lambert rode the fence when questioned.
"Sure, it makes sense he would be the guy," Lambert said. "On the other side, well, people of East Ridge made their choice: Bethune and Sewell. All bets are off after that."
Lambert said he would not repay Mayor Mike Steele's endorsement with a council appointment. Steele, who did not run for re-election and will end his term in December, said none of the councilmen has asked him to join.
"Like LBJ, I'm quitting. I will not accept," Steele said with a laugh. "I truly want to move on."
Gravitt said "the good old boys are still in control" if the council appoints someone besides the third-place winner.
"It's East Ridge," he said. "That's about all I can say."
WHAT'S NEXT
The City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. today in East Ridge City Hall.