Infernal Pastimes of a Sunspot Mind

As families gathered to celebrate the nation’s independence with live music and fireworks in Collegedale, Tenn. on July 3, a sudden medical emergency arose involving an audience member.

It was difficult to see what was happening, and to whom—and it’s not polite to gawk. At one point it was obvious that CPR was being administered. The situation clearly was serious.

When an event official announced over the loudspeakers that a moment of silence was to be held, followed by a prayer from the pastor of the Ooltewah United Methodist church, not only was the gravity of the person’s illness reinforced, but his identity was suddenly clear: it was Ray Minner, an erstwhile English teacher at Collegedale Academy and a passionately civic-minded individual.

Ray was not simply there as a casual attendee. He was sitting right up front as a loving husband and beaming dad to cheer on two of his family members.

Ray’s wife, Laurie Redmer Minner, directs the Southern Adventist University Symphony Orchestra. An accomplished violist as well as conductor, she was set to perform in the East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra’s concert Tuesday evening.

Ray’s son, Caleb Minner, is a U.S. Army infantryman who is currently on leave from active duty in Afghanistan. He was to have led the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Though members of the Collegedale Police Department and the Tri-County Fire Department along with other emergency personnel swiftly and valiantly administered care, Ray succumbed to apparent cardiac arrest Tuesday evening.

He leaves a legacy of which any should be proud. Ray officially taught literature, but his former students acknowledge that he imbued them with a wide range of contextual information regarding history, current events, politics, and more. He loved a political debate, and would tirelessly engage in vigorous but respectful dialogue with any who would care to join him.

Twice Ray ran, unsuccessfully, for the Collegedale City Commission. He had been thinking at one point of seeking election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in the current election. He ultimately decided against doing so, but his involvement in local political happenings did not wane.

Ray’s faith played a large part in his life. He taught a weekly Sabbath School class (Seventh-day Adventists’ answer to Sunday School) and was otherwise very active in his church. It was obvious through his actions, such as leading blood donation efforts, that he cared about his community.

Ray’s frequent Facebook posts displayed a love for his family that surpassed even his passion about societal concerns. Ray and Laurie had recently returned from a trip to South Africa with the New England Youth Ensemble. Ray was proud of his son Caleb’s service to his country.

Ray Minner was a giving and devoted person. He was a champion of liberty and of civic duty. He was a patriot. He was a friend.

He will be missed.

Chattanooga businessman Greg Vital has made it known that he intends to seek the 10th District Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Andy Berke—the same seat that Rep. Vince Dean was thoroughly expected to seek. However, as the Chattanooga Times Free Press also reports, Dean is being encouraged by House Speaker Beth Harwell and Majority Leader Gerald McCormick to stay put.

This would mean a shake-up in the developing GOP primary for House District 30, which would be an open seat if Dean were to run for the Senate. East Ridge Mayor Brent Lambert and Larry Grohn have picked up petitions, and there has been talk of a couple more candidates. Not many Republican candidates would be likely to stay in it against the incumbent, though. Two Democrats have also picked up papers to run: Brock Bennington and Brian White.

Collegedale resident Ray Minner, who has also been considering a run in the 30th after redistricting placed him in that district, says there is something telling in the GOP leaders’ actions:

Doesn’t anyone besides me find it very, very curious that “the two top House Republicans,” who have surely known for quite a long time that Vince Dean was planning to run for the Senate, said nothing, and even allowed him to make his announcement and pick up papers. Then suddenly, when Greg Vital decides HE wants that seat, they start to lean on Vince to stay in the House. Coincidence? Only the most naive would think so.

Meanwhile, it looks like voters in the new 28th District will have a contested primary in both of the two major parties. Democratic Reps. Tommie Brown and JoAnne Favors were placed into the same minority-majority district, and each has said she will seek the nomination. Two Republicans have also pulled petitions: Johnny Horne, who has run unsuccessfully for local and state offices in years past; and Basil Marceaux Jr., who previously ran in the old 29th District against Favors.

That’s not, by the way, the Basil Marceaux (“dot com”) you may be thinking of. The elder Marceaux is running for the state House as well, but in the 27th District, where he will challenge incumbent Rep. Richard Floyd in the GOP primary. (Trivia time: can anyone name other instances in which a parent and child were running in neighboring legislative districts in the same election?) Marceaux will be on the ballot on Super Tuesday too, as a candidate for Hamilton County Mayor.

In the new 29th, which covers eastern and northern Hamilton County, former sessions judge Mike Carter has so far drawn no opponents for the open seat. If this stays true, he will have pulled off quite a feat, given the rich swath of Republican votes it holds. The qualifying deadline is noon on April 5th.

The primary elections will be held on August 2nd.

Original Article

Although redistricting plans have not yet been made fully public in Tennessee, a few potential candidates in Hamilton County have begun the arduous process of cautiously staking out what they believe (likely on good authority) will be new territory: an open Tennessee House of Representatives district in the eastern part of the county. Given the demographic makeup of the area, such a district would almost certainly be solidly Republican.

Among those the grapevine suggests might be interested are Mike Carter, a former General Sessions Judge, assistant to former County Mayor Claude Ramsey, and 2011 candidate to replace Ramsey; Wes Kliner, an attorney and former election commissioner; Ray Minner, an educator whose political forays include twice narrowly missing being elected to the Collegedale City Commission; and Robin Smith, former Tennessee Republican Party chair and 2010 candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives. (It’s not clear whether the new district boundaries would include Smith’s residence; and she is still reportedly deciding whether a rematch with U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann is her 2012 focus.)

Attempts to confirm these and other active rumors are underway, and updates will be posted as more information becomes available. In the meantime, let me be clear that the above is simply hearsay at the moment, and is not intended as breaking news. It’s just what we sometimes like to talk about here.

UPDATE 11/23: Robin Smith does not live in the proposed new district, so strike her from the list. Also, there is another potential candidate—more to come.

Original Article