by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

On March 23 the Franklin County Commission voted unanimously to appoint Sewanee resident Susan Holmes to fill the commission’s District 5, Seat B. “Spike Hosch and his wife Anna moved out of the county and his seat automatically became vacant,” explained Seat 5A Commissioner Bruce McMillan. McMillan nominated Holmes. District 5 commissioners represent Sewanee, Keith Springs and Sherwood. Holmes will serve as an appointee until the term ends. She hopes to seek election to Seat 5B in the Aug. 6 General Election. But due to the timing of the circumstances, the qualifying procedure is atypical.

Normally, to appear on the ballot, a would-be candidate would have needed to submit a nominating petition signed by at least 25 voters in his or her district by Feb. 19. With the petition deadline past, in order to appear on the ballot in August a would-be candidate must receive write-in votes from 5 percent of the district residents in the May 5 primary.

Holmes needs 87 District 5 write-in votes on May 5. The county schools top Holmes’ priorities list. “Our county schools are vastly improving their grades and are receiving better marks with every passing grading period from the State Board of Education. But our loss of student enrollment through population decline and vouchers has had a huge impact on our funding. Sixty-six percent of the Franklin County Education revenue is derived from the state,” Holmes stressed. “Franklin County schools have lost 1,004 students since 2011. Each student accounts for $7,300/year in revenue. That is equal to $7 million plus annually.” The new school voucher program exacerbates the problem, Holmes insisted. “We must resist the expansion of school vouchers which cost us millions of tax-payer dollars and will cost us more with each passing year.”

Holmes holds a master’s degree in Leadership and Organization from Vanderbilt University and pursued a career that gave her keen insight in funding and finance. “I have used my degree working in colleges, universities, and nonprofits to raise funds for their missions,” she said. “Local government is where our common life happens. Roads, schools, and community health all begin at the local government level. The county should be creative in seeking ways for small rural communities like ours to find funding for infrastructure and the services we depend on such as police and fire protection.” Likewise, Holmes strongly endorses the county’s continuing efforts “to seek out and procure new industry that will increase the jobs base and help keep property taxes low.”

Early voting in the primary election continues through April 30. People wanting to vote for a write-in candidate need to request a write-in ballot. Holmes election advice: “Important: Vote for me so I can represent you! Most important: Please vote!”