3 contested races on Cleveland ballot
CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Fewer than half of the Cleveland offices on the Aug. 2 ballot give voters a choice of two or more candidates.
Voters will decide three contested races, including the mayor’s seat and two seats on the Cleveland City Council.
Duane Schriver, a retired educator, and Rep. Kevin Brooks, who is not seeking re-election to his Tennessee House District 24 seat, are running to be the city’s next mayor.
“If voters elect me as mayor, it will give me a chance to give back to the city that has given to me so much,” Brooks has said.
Mayor Tom Rowland, in a joint announcement with Brooks in January, said he would not seek re-election. He has served as Cleveland’s mayor since 1991.
“We’re doing so many good things, and I want to continue that vision,” Shriver said. “My goal is to provide fairness to all, favor to none.”
Both candidates have cited infrastructure needs and the revitalization of downtown Cleveland as priorities.
Cleveland’s charter describes the office as “the ceremonial head of the city” who has a “voice but no vote.” The mayor has veto power, with some restrictions, concerning city council actions.
Four contenders seek the Cleveland City Council At-Large 2 seat, now held by attorney Richard Banks. Banks, who has served on the council since 2003, is not seeking re-election. The candidate field includes Ken Webb, former president and CEO of Cleveland Utilities, and business owners Larry D’Agata, David Durkin and Scott McGowan.
While most of the at-large candidates identify downtown revitalization and planning for growth as key issues, D’Agata describes his campaign as a knock against “good old boy politics.”
Charlie McKenzie, who seeks a third term to the District 1 seat on the Cleveland City Council, faces a challenge from educator Hiawatha Brown.
Both candidates cite the need for revitalization of the city’s southwestern district, which stretches from the Dalton Pike area to the Interstate 75 connection to APD 40. While District 1 generally borders Inman Street and Spring Place Road, it stretches northward in a corridor between Keith Street and Georgetown Road.
Five other incumbents run unopposed in their re-election bids on the Cleveland ballot. Bill Estes, first elected to the City Council in 2006, seeks a fourth term to the District 2 seat.
Unopposed incumbents make a clean sweep on the Cleveland Board of Education. Charlie Cogdill seeks re-election to an at-large seat on the school board, while Dawn Robinson, Peggy Pesterfield and Tom Cloud pursue seats for District 3, District 4 and District 5, respectively.
Early voting begins July 13.
Contact Paul Leach at paul.leach.press@gmail. com. Follow him on Twitter @pleach_3.