Curtis Adams

When Hamilton County Commissioner Curtis Adams starts work as city manager in Crossville, Tenn., he could leave District 8 constituents without representation for about three months.

Hamilton County Attorney Rheubin Taylor said the commission could select an interim candidate for the District 8 seat, but state law dictates that filling the vacancy is optional because Mr. Adams' last day of May 14 falls fewer than 120 days before county elections in August.

Six commissioners reached Wednesday agreed the four candidates already in the race for Mr. Adams' seat should not be considered for an interim position if the commission chooses to fill it.

"We're not in the business of appointing heir apparents," said Richard Casavant, District 2 commissioner.

After more than two decades in local politics, Mr. Adams decided in November he would not run for re-election in the District 8 race. He and his wife will maintain homes in Crossville and East Ridge, he said.

One colleague said he wasn't surprised that Mr. Adams took the Crossville job.

"I didn't really think Curtis would bow out of politics altogether, because he's got it entrenched in his blood," said Larry Henry, District 7 commissioner.

Speaking from Crossville, Mr. Adams agreed.

"I'm 76, but I'm in great shape as far as I know," he said. "I want to stay busy."

Mr. Adams announced his retirement from the County Commission, and Crossville's current city manager later decided to retire for personal reasons, officials said. According to Crossville Mayor J.H. Graham III, Mr. Adams first was approached by city officials about three weeks ago.

Mr. Adams said he has no prior business connections to Crossville.

He will supervise 168 city employees and handle the day-to-day operations of "carrying out the wishes of the City Council and preparing the budgets," Mr. Graham said.

Mr. Adams will make $105,000 annually and will receive a Chevrolet Impala for use within city limits, the mayor said.

Mr. Adams was city manager of East Ridge for five months in 2008. He would have made $60,000 for a year's work in that job but was paid $15,000 for three months on the payroll, Mr. Adams said.

After advocating a property tax increase, he was criticized by members of the East Ridge City Council. Mr. Adams said it then became "impossible" to run the city's budget.

"They could never nail anything down," he said. "I wasn't used to that on the county commission. My tenure was too short to learn a lot, and we didn't really accomplish anything."

Mr. Adams was quick to note his pride in East Ridge.

"I don't want to say anything bad about my community; I wouldn't have lived there over 50 years," he said.

When asked if Mr. Adams' managerial tenure in East Ridge played any role in Crossville's decision-making, Mr. Graham said no.

"With respect to Curtis and his ability or inability," he said, "it is about the individual skills and leadership, not his age or back then."

He said Mr. Adams unanimously was approved for the job Tuesday by the Crossville City Council on the basis of an interview held earlier that day.

"It'll be a lot of fun, because you're hands-on on everything every day with the government," Mr. Adams said. "I can't see myself sitting still."

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Article: Commissioner Adams to become Crossville, Tenn., city manager