Politics Get Dirtier In Calhoun

Political mud is hitting the fan in the tiny town of Calhoun, Tennessee. Three candidates are running for Commission, hoping to change power there. But over the weekend, someone vandalized their signs.

All three call the vandalism dirty politics. They believe they know who is behind the vandalism, but remain mum without proof. However, they believe it will actually help their election chances. "We're getting under somebody's skin for one thing."

That's Billy Nichols first reaction to his campaign sign falling victim to red spray paint. He's not alone. Clifton Coleman and Carlos Liner have teamed up, billing themselves as candidates of change. Someone went after two of their signs, both were on private property. They've been spray painted with a large red circle and a diagonal line through their names.

"I ain't leaving, they ain't going to run me off," Liner said. "I'm not going to be run out of my own town, and I feel like a prisoner," Nichols said. Both candidates are Calhoun natives.

The story has another rich chapter. Last month, Calhoun police arrested Nichols, saying he refused to cooperate when officers had their guns drawn on another man. Nichols says his arrest was dirty politics then and this town of approximately 500 people needs different leadership.

He and the other candidates say the police department gives the town a bad image. Nichols said, "They use a Gestapo attitude when they pull people over We've had elderly people pulled over and harassed."

Chief Julie Tanksley told us that is not true. Chief Tanksley said flatly, "That is a false accusation."

As for the sign vandalism, all three believe it's the result of dirty politics, not a teen prank. But, they see a benefit."It's fired me up and I tell you what, to get in there there's going to be some changes made in Calhoun," Liner said.

Nichols added, "We've had a lot of calls, it probably turned them 50 dollar signs into 100 dollars signs, the way we look at it."

The third candidate on the vandalized signs says people here have lost their voice. Clifton Coleman said, "When our mayor has a public meeting and stand and tells the people 'You're not going to speak.' There's something wrong, there needs to be a change."

We went to Mayor John Walker's business. He kicked us off the property, refused to comment and was still angry about a story we did on him ten years ago.Meanwhile, the candidates say they will put up more signs but plan to leave the targeted ones up a while longer. They want voters to see them. Liner put it this way, "It's a disgrace. You can't get much lower than that."

Commissioner Joe Watson, whose term ends this year, says politics in Calhoun are a bad deal and he knew of many personal tensions there. The mayor position is at stake, because it only takes three members of the commission to appoint one.