Brown bows out in committee controversy

By JENNIFER RAYMOND

jraymond@roanecounty.com

Amid controversy, Roane County Administrator of Elections Tony Brown withdrew his name for consideration for the Roane County Long Range Recovery Committee.

Brown would have replaced Matt Caldwell as one of Kingston’s representatives. Caldwell stepped down due to a possible future conflict.

Councilwoman Teresa Ferguson suggested Brown as a potential candidate.

Most of the council agreed at the work session this month. However, after the meeting, Councilman Brant Williams sent out an e-mail in which he brought up the possibility of a conflict with Brown’s appointment.

Brown’s position as administrator of elections could come to an end on April 24, when the new Election Commission meets to decide his fate.

Brown has said in the past that the possibility is high that he will be replaced.

Mayor Troy Beets, who also sits as chairman of the Roane County Commission, said there is a good possibility Brown will be offered another county position.

A position that has been thrown around is Roane County park supervisor.

According to County Executive Mike Farmer, Bill Black has stepped down as park supervisor because of health reasons, but Brown has not been hired to take his position.

“He’s still the administrator of elections,” Farmer said.

Brown, who was at last Tuesday’s city council meeting, said, “I’m real interested in these job offers I have.”

Brown also said his feelings were hurt, and he was insulted that anyone would question his allegiance to the city.

“I resent you thinking I would jeopardize the city,” Brown said. “I’m a Kingstonian.”

Williams explained that his concerns have nothing to do with Brown’s integrity.

“There’s a conflict of interest because you have such great integrity,” Williams said.

Brown said there could be a conflict with Councilman Marty Miles being a county employee and Councilman Norman Sugarman working with the Kingston Police Department.

“If you are try to limit, you aren’t going to find anyone to serve,” Brown said.

 Williams said with the other Kingston representative being Beets, he would just like to eliminate any chance of conflict.

Councilman Kevin McClure suggested  tabling the appointment until they find out if Brown will take a county position.

Williams agreed.

“We’d love to see you serve if you don’t take a position,” Williams said.

However, Brown decided to withdraw his name completely.

“That will take care of any problems,” Brown said.

Ferguson said, “I think in this case we need to have faith in our fellow man.”

No other name was mentioned besides Brown. The motion to appoint Brown failed, with Williams, McClure and Sugarman passing.