Politics in Smyrna

It's 8 in the morning and some election returns are in.

Smyrna City councilwoman Mary Esther Bell did not win in her run for the 34th House District.

Voters chose Republican Rep. Donna Rowland to represent the 34th House District for another two years, turning back Smyrna Councilwoman Mary Esther Bell’s stiff challenge.

With only one precinct to report (Stewartsboro Elementary in Smyrna), Rowland led 12,834 to 10,392. At a victory party at Maple Street Grill, Rowland thanked those that supported her, as well as her husband, Preston.

“I feel great,” she said. “I’m excited the voters of the 34th District have allowed me to represent them. I’m honored by that.”

From the Tennessee Division of Elections numbers are in for the two state constitutional amendments.

The first amendment was to define marriage for us.

Constitution Amendment #1

Shall Article XI of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee be amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated section:

SECTION___. The historical institution and legal contract solemnizing the relationship of one man and one woman shall be the only legally recognized marital contract in this state. Any policy or law or judicial interpretation, purporting to define marriage as anything other than the historical institution and legal contract between one man and one woman, is contrary to the public policy of this state and shall be void and unenforceable in Tennessee. If another state or foreign jurisdiction issues a license for persons to marry and if such marriage is prohibited in this state by the provisions of this section, then the marriage shall be void and unenforceable in this state.

This passed with over 80% aproval. Our county voted 79.7%(48326) for, and 20.3%(12291) against(pdf link).

The second amendment to be voted on was a property tax break for the elderly.

Constitution Amendment #2

Shall Article II, Section 28, of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee be amended by inserting the following language immediately after the fourth paragraph:

By general law, the legislature may authorize the following program of tax relief:

(a) The legislative body of any county or municipality may provide by resolution or ordinance that:

(1) Any taxpayer who is sixty-five (65) years of age or older and
who owns residential property as the taxpayer’s principal place of residence shall pay taxes on such property in an amount not to exceed the maximum amount of tax on such property imposed at the time the ordinance or resolution is adopted;

(2) Any taxpayer who reaches the age of sixty-five (65) after the time the ordinance or resolution is adopted, who owns residential property as the taxpayer’s principal place of residence, shall thereafter pay taxes on such property in an amount not to exceed the maximum amount of tax on such property imposed in the tax year in which such taxpayer reaches age sixty-five (65); and

(3) Any taxpayer who is sixty-five (65) years of age or older, who purchases residential property as the taxpayer’s principal place of residence after the taxpayer’s sixty-fifth birthday, shall pay taxes in an amount not to exceed the maximum amount of tax imposed on such property in the tax year in which such property is purchased.

This also passed easily. Our county voted 82.7%(47756) for and 17.3%(9981) against(pdf link).

A subject of interest to me was the package sales for Smyrna. From the Rutherford county election board it looks like it has failed.

Voted: 8641
To permit:48.7%(4215)
Not to permit:51.22(4426)

I'm a bit disappointed in this vote. I was even in the process of preparing a statement to the city coucil if it had won. I guess the nanny's won this battle.

This election is over. The phone calls will end and the signs will disappear. Finally.