Just last week we ran a short item about the relatively quiet field of candidates for the four City Council seats up this year. Well, as we close in on the filing deadline this Thursday, things have gotten a little more interesting. First there was the word last week that Ron Peabody, who first gained public attention last year as the leading and loudest critic of the Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, would run for the Council's at-large seat C. (Peabody is resigning from his current co-leadership of the homelessness study group Compassion Knoxville to make the run.)
Now this morning, local attorney and prominent-family scion Marshall Stair is entering the ring, declaring himself for at-large seat B. That would put him up against former state Sen. Bill Owen and Buck Cochran, who had an unsuccessful run for Council about a decade ago. Stair's father, Caesar, has been a big name in civic circles for decades. Marshall's name was floated for a while last year as a possible mayoral candidate, but apparently he has decided to aim a little lower his first time out. If he succeeds--and his family's clout and wealth certainly make him a serious contender--it will amplify talk of a possible future mayoral run. He can count on plenty of votes in West Knoxville, but in a politically canny move, he has named as his treasurer Whitney Stanley (as in the Stanley Greenhouse Stanleys), signaling serious support south of the river as well.
Below is the full Stair press release:
MARSHALL STAIR TO RUN FOR CITY COUNCIL AT LARGE-SEAT B
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Native Knoxvillian, downtown resident, and political newcomer Marshall Stair is running for City Council At Large- Seat B. He has selected long time South Knoxville neighborhood leader Whitney Stanley as his treasurer.
Marshall was born and raised in Knoxville. After attending Tulane University and living outside the state for a period, Marshall returned home to attend the University of Tennessee College of Law. In law school, Marshall received the William M. Leech, Jr. Public Service Award for outstanding legal service to the local community. After graduating Cum Laude, he began working at the law firm of Lewis, King, Krieg & Waldrop, P.C.
Marshall is involved in a number of civic organizations including the Central Business Improvement District (board director), City People (president), Knoxville Symphony Orchestra (board director), Bijou Theatre, KBA Barristers, and Knoxville Opera. He is fluent in Spanish.
Stair said "I believe I have the passion and vision to lead Knoxville to its full potential. I love this city and look forward to bringing a fresh perspective to local government." His campaign will focus on supporting efficient and effective government, stronger neighborhoods, and quality development.
During his free time you can usually find Marshall on a river in East Tennessee, but this summer he plans on going door to door throughout Knoxville to listen to what the voters want from their city leaders.
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