Karl Dean
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| Karl Dean | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office September 21st, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Purcell |
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| Born | September 20, 1955 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Anne Davis |
| Children | Rascoe, Frances, and Wallen |
| Alma mater | Columbia University Vanderbilt University Law School |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Website | http://www.karldean.info |
Karl Foster Dean (born September 20, 1955) is the sixth mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee. He was sworn in on September 21, 2007.[1] From 1999 to January 9, 2007, Karl Dean served as Nashville's Director of Law under Mayor Bill Purcell.[2] In 1990, 1994, and 1998, he was elected the city's public defender.[3] Karl Dean is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Vanderbilt University Law School. He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Columbia University in 1978 and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University in 1981.[4][5]
Although municipal races in Nashville are officially nonpartisan, Dean, like most elected officials in the city, is a Democrat.
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[edit] Legal opinions as Metro Law Director
In March 2005, Karl Dean wrote that Mayor Bill Purcell could seek a third term, despite a 1994 referendum on "any elected office authorized or created by the [Metro] charter." This was because the 1963 charter states that there is a three-term limit for mayors, the 1994 amendment took place against a backdrop of a push for congressional term limits, and local public discussion focused on the Metro Council.[6] In January 2003, he said a proposed law to ban job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was not unconstitutional.[7]
When Metro Council members' health-care benefits came under scrutiny in September 2004, because the Metro Charter does not allow pension benefits for Council members, Karl Dean said that a health-care benefit wouldn't legally fall under a pension benefit, and therefore wouldn't be against the Charter.[8]
When asked if an amendment to the Metropolitan Charter requiring raises in the maximum property tax rates approved by the Metro Council to also be approved by Metro voters, Karl Dean said that a court was likely to find that provision of the Metro Charter invalid. This is because, he said, the Tennessee General Assembly has not authorized the charter of a consolidated government to restrict the authority of a legislative body to levy an ad velorem tax on property.[9]
[edit] Mayor of Nashville
Karl Dean announced his mayoral candidacy on December 19, 2006.[3] In the general election on August 2, 2007, he placed first with 24.6% of the vote. This advanced him to a run-off election against Bob Clement.[10] On September 11, 2007 Dean won the run-off election with 52.2% of the vote.
[edit] References
- ^ Cass, Michael. "Dean: "We need to raise the bar on our expectations"", The Tennessean, September 21, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-21.
- ^ "Karl Dean for Mayor of Nashville". Retrieved on September 11, 2007.
- ^ a b Harless, Bill. "Dean will leave law director post to run for mayor", The Nashville City Post, December 20, 2006.
- ^ "Vanderbilt University Law School :: Karl F. Dean". Retrieved on September 11, 2007.
- ^ "Karl Dean - Mayoral Election News Story - WSMV Nashville". Retrieved on September 11, 2007.
- ^ Schrade, Brad. "Metro law director says Purcell can seek 3rd term", The Tennessean, March 11, 2005.
- ^ Paine, Anne. "Metro lawyer says gay rights law meets constitutional test", The Tennessean, January 31, 2003.
- ^ Schrade, Brad. "Health-care benefit shift for council questioned", The Tennessean, September 21, 2004.
- ^ "2006-03.pdf". Retrieved on September 11, 2007.
- ^ "ELECTION UPDATE: Dean, Clement match-up set; Gentry & Dozier concede", The Nashville City Post, February 23, 2007.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Bill Purcell |
Mayor of Nashville, Tennessee 2007 – present |
Incumbent |
