No-Show Sheriff

I wanted to help make sure as many people in Knox County saw this story:

Hutchison fails to show up for debate (From WATE-TV6)

Knox County Sheriff Tim Hutchison did not show up Thursday night for a scheduled debate with his opponent in the race for county sheriff.

The debate between Hutchison and former Knoxville Mayor Randy Tyree was set to take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Halls Senior Center in north Knox County.

Instead, members of the media were informed that Sheriff Hutchison would not be attending. That came just moments before the debate was supposed to begin.

"He does apologize for not being able to be here this evening," said Hutchison's legal advisor Mike Ruble. "He had a conflict with a civic organization and he promised to do something for them a long time ago."

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Sheriff's officials say Hutchison's civic meeting was taking place at Austin East High School. 6 News dispatched a news crew to the scene shortly after the debate began.

At 7:05 p.m., the only activity on school grounds was a football practice. There were no signs of the sheriff.

Keep note of that last statement. Apparently there was no "civic event" or Mr. Legal Guy would've specified it, or given details.

Remember that when voting for Sheriff.

"This the third time that we were supposed to appear together in a public forum. Now as far as I'm concerned, third time is a charm," said Tyree.

"I am certainly not surprised that the sheriff was not here," said Lori Lesslie, who came in hopes of hearing the sheriff speak.

"If he really wanted to be elected, I think he would be here to give the courtesy to at least talk with his constituents and tell them why he wants to be re-elected," said Beth Smith, another person in the audience.

Tyree told 6 News after the debate that he doesn't think a debate between with the sheriff will actually happen.

Again, remember that when voting for Sheriff.

For you out-of-towners, that's the way things work with politics in Knoxville and Knox County.