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Crafton adds name to crowded juvenile clerk’s race
Ending any doubt, District 22 Metro Councilman Eric Crafton announced Wednesday he plans to run for Davidson County Juvenile Court clerk, adding another big name to a crowded race.
Observers had suspected Crafton –– the Bellevue area representative known for a conservative streak –– was poised to enter the contest after the Davidson County Republican Party filed paperwork in December to hold a Republican primary for the highly coveted seat held by current clerk Vic Lineweaver. Previously, only a Democratic primary had been organized.
“It’s no secret that I’ve been an advocate for Nashville’s most vulnerable children,” Crafton said of his candidacy. “I want to broaden my public service to include this job. Obviously, I think I’m the most qualified person in the race.
“People may disagree with me politically on the issues, and that’s normal,” Crafton said. “But this job should be about competence, about caring for children and about diligence. And I don’t think anybody can ever say that when I focus my efforts on an issue that I don’t work hard and am passionate about that issue.”
Crafton’s entry is the latest in a field of candidates that has grown to 12.
April Pennington is the only other person to have picked up papers to enter the Republican primary, according to Ray Barrett, administrator for the Davidson County Election Commission.
On the Democratic side, Lineweaver is facing opposition from court officer David Smith, school board member Karen Johnson, District 29 Councilwoman Vivian Wilhoite, Jeff Brousal, Howard E. Jones Jr., Jeff Crum and Patricia Courts.
Two independents, James Baxter and Alexander Hall, are vying for the seat as well.
If elected, Crafton said he would support a volunteer-based initiative called “Operation Helping Hand,” which would allow citizens from a wide-range of fields to use their expertise to help children with learning challenges. It would be modeled after a program used in Tacoma, Wash.
“There are currently over 13,000 active juvenile cases in Nashville and 90 percent of these children have unaddressed educational, psychological or physical needs,” Crafton said in a written statement. “If nothing changes, many of these children will graduate, not from high school, but into our adult prison system.”
The Democratic and Republican primaries are slated for May 4. The general election takes place Aug. 5. All candidates must turn in qualifying papers to the Davidson County Election Commission by Feb. 18.
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Crafton will do anything to keep his name in front of the electorate. If you look up self-aggrandizement in the dictionary you will see his picture there!!
yeahbut what about "Nashville’s most vulnerable children..." who happen not to speak English?
HokeyPokey - I'm no Crafton spokesperson, but I suspect he would use volunteers through the Operation Helping Hand initiative to teach English to those children to give them a better chance of survival and success in the middle Tennessee environment.
Good grief! Some of these people have been "running" for this office for about a year (or is it 2 years) now. I'm tired of seeing their names and probably won't vote for them because they are spending way too much money on this race. After all, it's not Mayor or Governor. So why the competition for a job that could possibly take up all your time, IF you are doing it the right way?
Will someone who is running call me and tell me why so many people are in the race? Good grief, what is the pay check on this thing? Maybe I should run.
Eric Crafton is much more qualified for this job than the rest of this field. Mr. Crafton has been active in education reform in Nashville for many years and supportive of the efforts to make this a better city for its children. I have seen first hand that he is hard working, diligent, smart, and that if he gives you his word on something he keeps it. That's more than I can say for the rest of this field put together. Lineweaver and Smith both have high school diplomas... so to them, its a bigger paycheck only. Lineweaver is a joke...and David Smith doesn't seem to have the knowledge, education, or experience to do this job. Crafton also graduated with honors from Vanderbilt with a double major (Math & Economics). Mr. Smith should not be entitled to a job simply because his dad is a big political boss in Nashville that can push folks around. His dad has been the center of controversy and has been alleged to have been a corrupt influence on Nashville's politicians for years too. Political patronage jobs in Nashville must end...Lineweaver has already filled the office with friends, supporters, and folks to whom he owed favors even though they were not qualified in any way for the job. In my mind, David Smith would bring more of the same. I expect to see a big list of the Courthouse crowd endorsing him because they owe his dad or they want a higher payin job....and thats too bad because this position is too important to Nashville to be another Democrat "Jobs Program". After all this... seat belongs to the people....not the Democrat machine or the Lineweaver family. Crafton has my vote on this because I know he'll do a good job, and he's shown his commitment to kids for years.
Ah man! I was going to vote for him but then I realized it said "clerk's" office not "jerk's" office!
sidneyames, the problem with Lineweaver is if those running do not have enough name recognition to get this clown out of office, he will keep getting back in and messing up things like he has been. People need someone in this office who is competent and can actually do a good job. Its too many people in this race though. If Lineweaver had been doing his job well, you would not see this. Its obvious that people are tired of him but if they are not careful he will slip back in on name recognition alone. I just hope for the city's sake that does not happen, but those who know they can't win and don't have enough name recognition they need to step aside for the greater good. Its a scrary thing to see Crafton in this but although he has not been from my observation the best council person he is competent and he still would be better than what you Anna3 have mentioned, If Lineweaver couldnt do the job and has no ed or exp and Kenny Norman was the same, and now this David Smith which is essentially the same, then it looks to me the only ones qualified would be Eric Crafton and Karen Johnson. Both have strong math, business, and as you say economics type backgrounds educationally and have at least worked on issues around children. And they both have the name recognition and would be different. Lineweaver need to be out. That's my two cents.
I agree with others who feel that Eric Crafton is much more qualified for this job than the rest of this field. Mr. Crafton has been active in education reform in Nashville for many years and supportive of the efforts to make this a better city for its children. As to the comment "yeahbut what about "Nashville’s most vulnerable children..." who happen not to speak English?" He is qualified to handle that problem. Jast as others do the Tax payers will have to pay for an interperter. Also Mr Crafton has supports efforts to helpp these vistors or citizens learn English. He is a qualified and educated person will a good measure of practial common sense. He calls it like it is and that is what we need in government. Also if you look closely at the current system you can see we need improvement. Crafton is the person to do this.
At least if he wins we will be free of his grandstanding at nearly every council meeting!
I'm glad Eric Crafton is getting in this race. While I haven't agreed with Mr. Crafton on a few things, I think he will be a much better person for the job than Lineweasel. One thing I do like about Crafton is that he is definitely not afraid to stand up and say what he thinks. Eric Crafton has been known for a long time to be fiscally conservative and that is something that we need at all levels of government during these crazy economic times.
I'm so pleased to see the Counsilman Eric Crafton will be running for Davidson County Juvenile Clerk. He will do a GREAT job and truly has the interest of our children at heart. Vic Linweaver has had his chance and it's time to hire someone who can do the job.
For the record: When immigrants don't learn English, they are doomed to remain second class citizens.
I live in the district represented by Eric Crafton. I know him personally and find him to be an honest hard-working and extremely intelligent person. He is easily one of the best educated and most intelligent persons on the council. We will all be proud when he is the Davidson County Juvenile Clerk. His past performance has earned my vote.
Eric Crafton is not only qualified, but he also does not mind stepping on toes if it means getting the job done. The job to be done by the Juvenile Clerk’s office is to organize and manage records for the benefit of the kids and the court. He has the management skills, the intellect and the desire to do a good job. If qualifications, honesty and results-oriented management were the three most important criteria, the race would be over.
PS- I just got a press release from the Crafton campaign where Beth Harwell said... "I think EricCrafton will do an excellent job as Juvenile Court Clerk. He has had a heart for helping and being an advocate for Nashville’s children for a long time.” I trust Beth and so Mr. Crafton definitely has my vote!
What a choice: Lineweaver or Crafton. Bathrobe on the job or English only. Have we really sunk that low?
jjames are you really in a quandry between Lineweaver & Crafton? Do you really know them? If you did...there is no comparison. Please take the time to research before you speak ...it makes one at least seem to have a small modicum of intellect.
Anna3 your right on both subjects. This race will be between Eric and
Mrs. Johnson. The two most qualified for the job. Mr. Lineweaver, Mrs.
(Speaks at every subject Council member) Wilhoit, and the rest of either
field will fall in the primaries!
The mess in the Juvenile Court Clerk's office will not get cleaned up with another Democratic "politico" coming in to cover up the mess. What it needs is a totally clean/fresh look by someone who is not PC and will do whatever it takes to clean it up and run it the right way. Who better than Eric Crafton for a project like that. We are fortunate that he is willing to take the mess on!
Eric Crafton obviously does not know what the job of Juvenile Court Clerk even consists of. If he had bothered to research the responsibilites of the office, he would realize that the Clerk has no contact with children at all. This job is about RECORD KEEPING and GENERAL KNOWLEDGE of the COURT SYSTEM. Eric Crafton, (if he were to be elected) would have no say in who is allowed to come in and work with the juveniles in custody. That is a decision that could only be made by Judges who work on the Court side. I just sit in amazement, as these potential Candidiates continue to try and envoke "The Children" as a reason to be elected to this office. This position does pay well. However, It does not require a degree in Rocket Science to operate this office. The Juvenile Clerks office needs someone who will put in the hours to see that the job gets done, period. Eric Crafton is a Career Politician, who is looking for another Government Office to earn his living. Have we forgotten the "English Only " FIASCO that costs the METRO TAXPAYER'S $300,000.00 , less than a year ago ?
I wonder how many people Eric Crafton had to pay to POST all these positive comments about him. NOTICE.......all of the comments are from NEW people to the web-site. Sounds a little fishy to me.
SRJ, you need to do some further research on the position of JCC. The position is not just record keeping and filing paperwork like you suggest. The JCC is also responsible for administrating trusts as awarded by the Juvenile Court. The JCC is also responsible for appointing attorneys and legal representation for juveniles. Those two functions, when performed properly and responsibly, can and will have an impact in the lives of those children who pass through our juvenile court system. Right now I think Crafton is the most qualified person in the race... Eric having a degree from Vanderbilt says a lot about his work ethic and ability to persevere. With that said... HEY CRAFTON! Where's my money?... SRJ says I'm on your payroll now!
adam3, you need to understand that JCC is divided into two separate sides. The CLERK's side and the COURT side. Do you remember when Vic Lineweaver was arrested for misplacing court documents ? Do you remember who admonished him in her court ? Betty Adams Green was at odds with Vic because his side of JCC was not furnishing the proper records for the Court side of JCC. The Juvenile Court Clerk does not deal directly with the children, The Judges on the court side of JCC do that.
The function of the Juvenile Court Clerk is to provide proper documentation to the Judges on the court side at all times , and to collect support payments. I would like for you to name one Judge that Vic Lineweaver ever appointed ? You have the two very different functions of each side of JCC....very mixed up
I think that it is great that Eric Crafton graduated from Vanderbilt. However, that does not mean that he is the better qualified candidate.
adam3, I am waiting for the names of all the Judges and Attorneys that Vic Lineweaver has appointed ? Since you are convinced that The Juvenile Court Clerk is the person who performs this function. Maybe, you should consider doing a little research yourself.
SRJ...you obviously work for one of the campaigns you accused us of...If YOU had done any research at all...you would have seen the case of a young girl in the custody of the court whom asked for a distribution from her custodial account... an account maintained by the clerks office so that she could buy a computer necessary for her college courses. Mr Lineweaver could not verify the balance in her account. Judge Green had to deny her request which negatively impacted her grades. Later it was discovered that she had adequate funds available... but due to the Clerks error...she suffered. Hows that one for ya' ??? Want a few more war stories. This office absolutely impacts our kids lives you nitwit! Who are you really working for???Lineweaver...Smith???
Anna3.....As I said........The job consists of RECORD KEEPING. The example that you gave about the custodial account CONFIRMS exactly what I was saying. I never said that sloppy record keeping does not have dire consequences. Vic Lineweaver is guilty of all the above. No argument here. If the RECORD KEEPING had been accurate and efficient, this incident that you spoke of, would not have happened. I just have a problem with any Candidate (Democrat or Republican) who misrepresents the duties of the Juvenile Court Clerks Office, and most of the Candidates running have been guilty of doing that very thing. My argument was that the Juvenile Court Clerk does not have DIRECT CONTACT with the children. The Juvenile Court Clerk does not appoint Attorneys, Guardians, Judges, etc. The sole function of the Juvenile Clerks Office is RECORD KEEPING, period. We should all make sure that we keep down the political rhetoric and state the truth.