10.12
Shortly before Midnight Thursday, eyewitnesses in the Naomi area reported what appeared to be some kind of law enforcement raid on Ken Visage Rd. or one of the nearby side roads. Multiple law enforcement, fire, and possibly Drug Task Force units were gathered in the parking lot at Skate n Play before heading out to do.. something. Updates as they’re available through the day today on LU Facebook.
There’s been a lot in the news this week about Ales Campbell’s tax records. Supporters of Commissioner Heiskell have been posting outdated files on Facebook and handing them out in parking lots, telling voters she’s a deadbeat and ineligible to run for Commissioner or serve once elected. They also used County Attorney Don Oliver to spread this to the media with a press conference on the county’s dime.
- WQCH Radio, 10/10/12: “THE ATTORNEY FOR WALKER COUNTY GOVERNMENT, DON OLIVER, CALLED A PRESS CONFERENCE TUESDAY MORNING TO SAY HE IS RECUSING HIMSELF FROM FURTHER INVOLVEMENT IN A POLITICAL CONTROVERSY BREWING IN THE RACE FOR COMMISSIONER.
- “OLIVER SAID THE COUNTY ELECTIONS SUPERINTENDENT, BARBARA BERRY, CONTACTED HIM – ASKING IF HE COULD VERIFY THAT WRITE-IN CANDIDATE ALES CAMPBELL HAD UNPAID TAXES. OLIVER SAID HIS ASSISTANT DID THE RESEARCH AND VERIFIED ‘DELINQUENT TAX EXECUTIONS WHICH MIGHT RELATE TO THE CANDIDATE’. IN A CHATTANOOGA TIMES FREE PRESS ARTICLE TODAY, CAMPBELL ADMITTED OWING BACK TAXES, AND SAID THE DEBTS HAVE NOW BEEN PAID AND CLEARED.
- “OLIVER SAID THE WALKER COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS WILL HOLD A REGULAR MEETING FRIDAY, AND ON THE AGENDA IS CONSIDERATION OF WHETHER THE CANDIDATE’S WRITE-IN STATUS CAN STAND, IN LIGHT OF THE ACCUSATION. IT IS POSSIBLE, OLIVER SAID, THAT MS. CAMPBELL COULD BE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE TO RUN FOR THE OFFICE, BUT THAT THE TAX ISSUE COULD RENDER HER INELIGIBLE TO ACTUALLY HOLD THE OFFICE OF WALKER COUNTY COMMISSIONER. MS. BERRY SAID SHE INVITED THE WRITE-IN CANDIDATE TO ATTEND FRIDAY’S MEETING OF THE ELECTIONS BOARD.”
There are three sets of tax issues. One is a local inventory tax for her husband’s business that wasn’t paid. That one was less than $500 and taken care of within hours of the candidate being made aware of it. The other two are old issues with the IRS and a loan company which were paid years ago. Documents to verify one have been produced, and documents for the other are being mailed in from out of state.
Ms. Campbell will be at the Walker County Elections office Friday morning at 8:30 to address the Elections Board. She says she will verify owing no back taxes and confirm (again) her eligibility to run for and serve as county commissioner.
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