CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – After two hours of deliberation, the Clarksville City Council has voted to postpone the appointment process for the selection of a Ward 2 councilperson due to a voting stalemate between two candidates.

Going into a special session meeting on Wednesday, seven candidates introduced themselves to the City Council last week and made their case to be appointed.

On Wednesday, when the voting process began, the council eventually got down to two candidates, AC Lopez and Eric Claunch. The council proceeded to vote more than 25 times between the two; however, each council member remained locked in with their selections.

During this time span, each candidate was also given three minutes each to plead their case to the City Council to be appointed. Even with those opportunities, no council member changed their vote. 

Consistently, Councilperson’s Brian Zacharias, Carlos Peters, Tim Chandler, Stacey Streetman, Keri Lovato and Mayor Joe Pitts voted in favor of Claunch. Meanwhile, Councilperson’s Ambar Marquis, Wanda Smith, Travis Holleman, Jerry Haywood, Jimmy Brown and Joe Shakeenab voted in favor of Lopez.

Two hours after the meeting began, the appointment process was motioned to be postponed until Thursday, Feb 19th at 4:30 p.m. The motion passed 10-2 with Holleman and Haywood voting against.

| PREVIOUSLY: Candidates for City Council, Ward 2, make their case for appointment | PHOTOS

‘Come to the table with a listening heart’

The last member of the Clarksville City Council to be appointed was actually current Ward 12 councilperson Keri Lovato in May of 2023. Before Wednesday’s meeting, Clarksville Now reached out to Lovato to see what advice she had for whomever was appointed.

Lovato said, “Being appointed to the city council is a unique and humbling experience. When I was appointed, I had more questions than answers, and I am grateful for the perspective that gave me. I commend everyone who put their name forward and was willing to serve.

“My advice to the next Ward 2 council member is to come to the table with a listening heart. Listen to fellow council members, to department heads who know and love this city, and most importantly to constituents. Deanna McLaughlin set a high bar in this regard. She had a rare ability to walk alongside Clarksvillians through difficult seasons, offering both leadership and compassion. My hope is that the next person steps into the role with that same eagerness,” she said.

Mayor Joe Pitts also said prior to the meeting, “Thank you to the seven citizens who stepped up to be considered for appointment to the City Council. Public service is without question equal parts the most difficult but most rewarding responsibility as a citizen of this city. We look forward to welcoming the thirteenth member of the council at the meeting this afternoon.”

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