Our Electoral Options in the 5th

With David Gammino out of the City Council race, voters will have to choose between the incumbent, Marty Jewell, and his challenger from across the river, Lee Shewmake. (note: a recent listing of candidates in the RTD includes the name Parker Camp Agelasto as another challenger – anyone have additional info?) To help you assess these options, I’ve submitted questions to both candidates. Shewmake’s interview is posted here and Jewell’s responses haven’t come in despite multiple requests and promises since March 5th.  But, there’s still plenty of time between now and November. How are you feeling about this race? What needs to happen to ensure that your interests are represented regardless of who wins?

And how about the School Board? Our own Maurice Henderson has risen to the rank of Vice Chair of that governing body.  Carol A. O. Wolf, a veteran of the Board, recently posted a harrangue against the current Board on the back page of Style Weekly, essentially calling the hole group misguided, unaccountable, and ego-centric.  Nonetheless, the 5th district, despite ongoing outcry over school options, must be pretty satisfied with Henderson’s performance, because there has not been much talk of an alternative candidate (the name Mamie Taylor appears in that RTD listing – anyone have info on the challenger?).

And then there’s the at-large mayoral  race. Dwight Jones is the incumbent.  Challengers include the ex-councilwoman, L. Shirley Harvey, from the Southside. And the lesser-known, Michael K. Ryan Jr.  Some are saying that Mayor Jones is essentially running unopposed. Ms. Harvey, however, always makes things interesting. Stay tuned and be sure to speak up about the needs in your neighborhood.