The Hamilton County Election Commission this morning took no action on the candidate eligibility questions surrounding former city Parks and Recreation head Rob Healy, who is considering a challenge to Mayor Ron Littlefield next spring.

Election Commission attorney Jerry Summers said it is his opinion that Mr. Healy does not meet the residency requirement to be able to run for the office. But since Mr. Healy has not yet filed a qualifying petition, Mr. Summers recommended that the body take a wait-and-see approach.

Mr. Summers said if Mr. Healy does file papers to run, then “obviously we’ll just have to address it.”

The issue at question is “ambiguity” with the residency requirement and whether Mr. Healy would need to live in Chattanooga a year prior to the March city election or a year prior to the date on which he would qualify to run, Mr. Summers said.

The City Charter should state that a candidate must live in the city at least 12 months before the qualifying date, but due to a “clerical oversight” that was left out of the charter during a 2002 recodification, City Attorney Randy Nelson stated in a legal opinion.

For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.

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