The recently-reported "mystery" poll showing potential GOP challenger Mike Ragsdale within five percentage points of Democratic incumbent County Executive Tommy Schumpert was real. The survey of 294 Knox County voters was conducted about a month ago by Decision Resources (UT professors Bill Lyons and John Scheb) and identified both candidates by party. Lyons says he and Scheb conducted the poll as part of a larger survey for their own use and were not commissioned to do so by a candidate. He declined to reveal what other potential races might have been surveyed. While Lyons says the sample was small and party identification may have been a major factor, Schumpert "shouldn't pull the panic switch" just yet. However, Lyons agrees that Ragsdale's numbers are strong for an undeclared candidate in a race that hasn't yet begun. With no real gubernatorial contender to lead the ticket, the early signs are not encouraging for local Democrats.

Battle Royale for Legal Eagles

It's getting to be dog-eat-dog in the legal community as lawyers eye judgeships. Chancellor Fred McDonald's retirement announcement has county Law Director Richard Beeler ready to run for the seat, leaving behind a two-year vacancy that would be filled by County Commission, should Beeler be elected. Clerk-and-Master John Weaver may also be eyeing the seat, and his election would leave his current job to be filled by appointment.

Leading contender for the law director's job if Beeler is elected is probably Mike Moyers, a deputy law director who got passed over for a judgeship the last time there was a political plum to hand out. Another Beeler deputy, John Owings, may be interested in making a run for Beeler's job, as well.

A third possible contender for McDonald's old seat could be General Sessions Court Judge Gail Harris Jarvis, who will be facing a tough GOP primary challenge if she stays where she is. Lining up against her is prosecutor Chuck Cerny, who will be resigning his job effective Monday. Cerny and his wife, Kim, were, to their sorrow, much in the headlines the last couple of years because of the illness of their daughter Caitlyn, who died at 18 months of age after battling cancer for more than a year. Cerny is a popular figure around the courthouse, and hundreds of cops, clerks, and court officers queued up for blood tests to be bone marrow donors for Caitlyn. The Cernys now have a 9-week-old son, Charles Anthony III (Chase), and sources say Cerny is prepared to run a full-bore race for the Sessions Court job.

Jarvis says she is preparing a qualifying petition to run for the General Sessions seat but is keeping her options open. "I wouldn't rule it out," she says of courthouse tales that she is considering a run against Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner.

Don't Tread On Ray

Sports Corporation guru Gloria Ray stood watch at County Commission this week, answering any questions with a rather grim smile and the statement "We'll do what's best for the community." Although she won't comment, Ray has been somewhat under siege in recent weeks as the captains of industry have cast covetous eyes on her highly successful outfit with the aim of folding it into the new, improved, super-duper Chamber of Commerce recruiting behemoth. While Commission recommended months ago that the Sports Corp not be a part of the super-recruiting effort, Ray & Co. had a nearer-miss on City Council recently, when Carlene Malone—fwho has a bad habit of reading the agenda—questioned a recommendation urging full cooperation with the Chamber task force (which has the urge to merge). When nobody would own up to having birthed the recommendation, it was dropped. Sources say the above-mentioned captains of industry have growled about "punishing" Ray for her naughtiness, but Ear happens to know they'd have a bunch of ticked-off women to deal with if that happens.