Carr facing calls to resign

BLOUNTVILLE— Sullivan County Commissioner Joe Carr is facing calls to resign following his arrest last month on charges of public intoxication and sexual battery. Carr, who represents Sullivan County's 9th District, was arrested in Asheville, North Carolina, on Oct. 19, according to court records. He was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility and released Oct. 21 after posting a $2,000 bond. When asked about the incident and calls for Carr's resignation, Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable said it was too early to determine any next steps. "I'm aware of Commissioner Carr's situation, and we'll wait on his court date to make any judgments," Venable said. "I'm not in a position to make any judgments about whether the charges are true or not. So we need to wait until the court date, and then the public can have their say." An arrest warrant from the Buncombe County Courthouse alleges Carr touched a woman's breasts by force and against her will "for the purpose of sexual gratification." The warrant also states he was intoxicated in a public place and became involved in a fight. The Sullivan County Democratic Party and 5th District Board of Education representative Todd A. McKinley have both called for Carr to step down. In a statement, the Democratic Party said, "Sullivan County deserves leaders who work diligently for all residents and who represent our county with decorum and respect for the office. Joe Carr has proven he is unable to do that." The party also referenced Carr calling the Juneteenth holiday a "woke holiday" in 2023. District Attorney General Barry Staubus said Tennessee law allows him or the county attorney to initiate "ouster proceedings" — a process to remove an elected official from office — if evidence supports it. "The law says that I can begin an ouster suit on my own, or someone can make a request," Staubus said. "If a county official knowingly or willfully commits misconduct in office, willfully neglects to perform a duty, or is intoxicated in a public place by strong drink voluntarily taken, that official can be removed from office." Under Tennessee law, elected officials can be removed from office for misconduct or neglect of duty. State code T.C.A. § 8-47-101 says officials may face ouster if they "knowingly or willfully" commit misconduct, fail to perform their duties, become publicly intoxicated or take part in illegal acts involving "moral turpitude." Sections 8-47-102 and 8-47-110 give district attorneys, county attorneys or a group of at least 10 citizens the authority to file an ouster petition on behalf of the state. Another statute, § 8-47-103, requires prosecutors to look into written complaints of misconduct and to seek removal if there is "reasonable cause" to believe the allegations are true. The Times News reached out to Carr for comment, who directed questions to his attorney, Doug Edwards. "Mr. Carr is innocent of the accusations made against him," Edwards stated in an email. "We fully respect the judicial process and are confident that once the facts are presented in court, my client will be completely exonerated. We remind everyone that the presumption of innocence is not optional; it is a fundamental cornerstone of our justice system. "We are conducting our own investigation into this matter and will aggressively challenge the allegations that have been made. Mr. Carr remains focused on continuing to serve the people of Sullivan County with integrity." The Sullivan County Commission will meet for a work session Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Historic Courthouse Commission Room in Blountville.