From the Home Front: For those elected in 2022, congratulations, now go be transparent
To those who already have been, or will be elected, before this year is over, I offer my personal congratulations for being chosen and for being willing to serve.
That, in itself, takes courage.
It's been a year of decisions — and in many cases, we're seeing change — as elections once again remind us of who is really in control of the Clarksville-Montgomery County, Tennessee, and national, political landscapes.
Or, at least we're reminded of who should be in control. That being you, the voter, of course.
Hopefully you've voted. If not, there is one more chance on Nov. 8, during the State General and Clarksville City elections.
I really struggle to understand how any non-voter feels they have a right to complain about the day-to-day activities at the courthouse, city hall and the state legislature.
Voting is what really empowers us to have that right to speak with an unending voice about what we expect of those whom we elect.
And one of the biggest demands that voters should have, from whomever they choose for the various offices on the ballot, is openness of government ... what we are currently calling, "transparency."
This is the year when constituents should remind those they select that, once they are in the offices they seek, they will be expected to be open, honest and forthright about all of their activities — even when those activities may not reflect well on them or be potentially damaging, politically.
I've been working in this community for well over three decades, and I've seen a lot of political figures come and go.
Some of them get it, when it comes to "transparency," and I never really have a problem with the way they conduct themselves while in office.
Others often start out talking a good game, but somewhere along the way during their terms in office, they begin to feel empowered to hide things from people, often "for the greater good" of the community.
At least that's how it's sometimes portrayed.
But I can never really think of a time when closed government is good for anyone. Even if the idea is to, hypothetically, try and negotiate a cheaper deal with taxpayer dollars behind closed doors.
True, keeping it quiet might help to achieve that result. I get it.
But it's the public's business. And it has to be done in the public, regardless. That's just the way it is.
So I offer this up now, during another sweeping election year, to remind everyone who has been, or will be elected: this kind of transparency is the job expectation.
And it's not negotiable.
In review, here are some of the elected officials that you, the voters, have selected in contested races, and we congratulate them:
County General Election
Montgomery County mayor
Wes Golden
Sheriff
John S. Fuson
Circuit Court Judge Part III
Joel Wallace
Chancellor
Ben Dean
General Sessions & Juvenile Court Judge Division II
Reid Poland
Circuit Court Clerk
Wendy Davis
County Commission District 2
Jason D. Knight
County Commission District 4
Rickey Ray
County Commission District 5
Rashidah A. Leverett
County Commission District 6
Michael Lankford
County Commission District 7
Nathan Burkholder
County Commission District 11
Joe L. Creek
County Commission District 12
Carmelle Chandler
County Commission District 14
Joshua Beal
County Commission District 16
Lisa Prichard
County Commission District 17
Chris Rasnic
County Commission District 18
Ryan Gallant
County Commission District 19
William "Billy" Frye
County Commission District 20
Autumn Simmons
County Commission District 21
David Wayne Shelton
School Board District 1
Carol A. Berry
School Board District 3
Herbert A. Nelson
School Board District 5
Jimmie M. Garland
And then, there is one more election to go — Nov. 8, with early voting to start on Oct. 19.
Here's how that ballot is shaping up:
Clarksville Mayor
Joe Pitts
David D. Allen
A.C. “Big Sarge” Lopez
City Council Ward 1
Brian Zacharias
City Council Ward 2
Vondell Richmond (pending Ward 2 residency verification with the Election Commission)
City Council Ward 5 (unexpired term)
Ambar Marquis
City Council Ward 6
Wanda Smith
Flora B. Awuku
Chris Jones
City Council Ward 7
Travis A. Holleman
Garrett Rye
City Council Ward 10
Stacey Streetman
Donald W. Pertzborn
City Council Ward 11
Joe Shakeenab
State House of Representatives
District 67:
Tommy Vallejos (R)
Ronnie Glynn (D)
District 68:
Curtis Johnson (R)
Monica Meeks (I)
District 75:
Jeff Burkhart (R) (unopposed in November)
Reach Jimmy Settle at jimmysettle@theleafchronicle.com or 931-245-0247. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to TheLeafChronicle.com.
This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: Clarksville elections 2022: For those elected, now go be transparent
