Bellamy finally decides he’s out; no opponents
In a Town of more than 22,600 citizens, no one ultimately stepped up to run against Farragut’s incumbent vice mayor (North Ward I alderman) and South Ward 2 alderman.
Michael Bellamy, an attorney, had submitted his petition to run against Vice Mayor Louise Povlin (North Ward I seat) — and recently was quoted as saying he would run. Election day is Thursday, Aug. 6.
But Tuesday morning, April 7, Bellamy stated in an e-mail he has decided to withdraw.
“COVID-19 has made it impossible to campaign in person, much less door to door,” he stated.
“In addition, my daughter is in a high-mortality risk category if she contracts COVID-19. For these reasons it is necessary for me to withdraw from the Farragut North Ward Alderman race at this time,” Bellamy added.
“Hopefully I can find other ways to serve the Town of Farragut.”
Alderman Drew Burnette, South Ward 2, also will be unopposed.
Povlin initially intended not to run for re-election but changed her mind late last month.
A fourth potential candidate, Laura Fangman, had picked up a petition to run for North Ward I Alderman but reconsidered once Povlin changed her mind.
“I am sincerely thrilled about Louise,” Fangman said. “I (did) not intend to return my petition and will endorse and support her in her campaign.
“She has worked very hard for our community, and the last thing we need, in these unprecedented times, is someone new thrown into the mix.” she added.
Barring a significant write-in vote, Burnette will serve his first full term — being appointed by BOMA in 2018 to fill the remaining term of then Alderman Ron Williams after he was elected mayor — without having faced an opponent in a campaign.
