Staff photo by John Rawlston/Chattanooga Times Free Press - Jan 11, 2011
Jim Coppinger takes the oath of office from Judge Clarence Shattuck to become Hamilton County Mayor on Tuesday morning.Jim Coppinger placed his hand on a Bible on Tuesday and closed a short, tense period in the county's history.
"It is an important day for this county," the new Hamilton County mayor said. "It's very important that we begin to come together and unite. I think we're all ready to roll up our sleeves and go to work."
As Coppinger, the former District 3 commissioner, turned his attention toward learning the ins and outs of running the county's business, commissioners turned their attention toward selecting his replacement.
Commissioner Larry Henry, who will become chairman Thursday, said he plans to hold at least one public forum in District 3. The district includes Hixson, Middle Valley and Lakesite.
The mayoral selection process led to accusations of backroom dealings. Coppinger's main rival, former special assistant to the mayor Mike Carter, accused the commission of manipulating the process to select Coppinger. In a newspaper column, former County Executive Dalton Roberts also accused the commission of violating the Sunshine Law.
Commissioners did not hold public hearings or sponsor a forum for the county mayor candidates, though the Tennessee Valley Republican Women held a forum in Red Bank.
State law requires commissioners to select a replacement in the event the elected mayor does not serve out his term, but public hearings are not required.
Coppinger took the oath of office at 9 a.m., with Sessions Judge Clarence Shattuck officiating. Mitch McClure, a pastor at Middle Valley Church of God in Hixson, gave the invocation. He also has confirmed he is interested in the District 3 seat.
"Seeing that an opening will be announced for the District 3 County Commission seat on Thursday, I wanted to let you know that I shall be a candidate for that seat," McClure said in an e-mail to the Times Free Press.
Coppinger said he is not concerned about who will replace him.
"Right now, one of the things I'm doing is stepping back from the political aspect," Coppinger said. "I'm sure the commission will make an excellent choice for my replacement."
Carter had alleged that appointing McClure was part of the scheme to appoint Coppinger mayor.
Commissioner Warren Mackey called McClure a "good man."
"I can support him," Mackey said. "From what I know he would be good for that district."
Other commissioners were noncommittal about whether they would support McClure.
"I've got to give all the applicants a fair shake," Commissioner Joe Graham said.
Learning the ropes
WHAT'S NEXTHamilton County Commissioners formally will begin the process of filling Mayor Jim Coppinger's District 3 county commission seat Thursday. Commissioners will advertise the position and likely will take applications, similar to the way they filled the vacancy created by the departure of former Mayor Claude Ramsey.Under the law, commissioners will have 120 days after receiving official notice of the vacancy to find a replacement. To be eligible, applicants must be 18, a qualified voter and a resident of District 3.* Sources: Hamilton County attorney and University of Tennessee's County Technical Assistance Service
Coppinger's first day consisted of staff meetings. He said he planned to meet with former Mayor Claude Ramsey later Tuesday. Ramsey joins the administration of Gov.-elect Bill Haslam this week.
He also said that, for now, he's not looking at any staffing changes. More than a dozen department heads are eligible for retirement, but none are known to be planning retirement or going with Ramsey to Nashville.
"That's my first order of business, to make sure people are going to stay," Coppinger said of the county staff.
Coppinger also said he wants to meet with Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce representatives.
Coppinger spoke in generalities about working to improve education and working with local businesses, but declined to describe specific plans or goals.
"I'd much rather speak to the staff about [my plans] before they are made public," he said.
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