Another challenger emerges for Lineweaver’s post

Another day, another likely candidate for next year’s juvenile court clerk election.

Juvenile Court Clerk Vic Lineweaver went through his departmental budget hearing with the mayor on Wednesday, and said afterwards he wasn’t thinking about next year’s re-election bid, yet.

But in attendance at the meeting was political no-name Jeff Brousal, who said he too was going to be challenging Lineweaver in next year’s election. Brousal has a PhD and works as a forensic toxicologist for the state of Tennessee department of agriculture.

In a campaign platform statement, Brousal said he volunteers for the charitable group Court Appointed Special Advocates, and is familiar with the court system.

“I write a report to the judge in juvenile cases after interviewing the family, teachers, friends, and medical professionals that are involved,” Brousal said of his work with CASA for the juvenile court system. “I recommend services and plans of action for the best interest of the child. This is where I get my knowledge of the court system, procedures and the judges.”

Court officer David Smith has already announced he’s running, while school board member Karen Johnson and District 29 Councilwoman Vivian Wilhoite are also rumored to be interested in the position.

Lineweaver said had no comment on the field forming to challenge him.

“I’m trying to take care of my staff,” Lineweaver said. “That’s over a year away. If people want to run the democratic way, then they can decide to go and run.

“I am going to run, you can put that down. I am running.”

The juvenile court clerk’s office submitted a budget proposal to Mayor Karl Dean showing what a 10 percent reduction would look like. The office has 32 full time positions and is looking at losing 4.5 full time jobs.

Dean asked every Metro department to submit proposals showing what a 10 percent cut would look like.

At last year’s budget hearings, Dean asked Metro departments to propose cuts too, but Lineweaver began the meeting by asking for another car for his staff. Dean issued an 11 percent cut to Lineweaver’s office and did not award him an extra car.