John Jones has chaired the Tennessee ABC for longer than we recall. Long before
Al Gore invented the Internet and direct shipment of wine. Through at least
three gubernatorial administrations.
At the conclusion of April's regular
ABC meeting, Commissioner Jones announced that he was stepping down as chair. He
mentioned his faltering eyesight, but gave no firm reason.
The
resignation appeared to have been planned. After Commissioner Jones spoke,
Commissioner Bryan Kaegi nominated Commissioner Mary McDaniel as Chair. Jones
promptly seconded and closed the matter for a vote. Commissioner McDaniel's
nomination was approved.
Although some might attribute the selection of
Commissioner McDaniel as being political, we think not. Republican Governor
Haslam could have easily chosen not to reappoint Commissioner Jones, who has
long ties to both the state Democratic party and the Tennessee ABC. The ABC is a
three member Commission that has not been traditionally dominated by the Chair,
and has been blissfully free of partisan politics.
In other ABC news, ABC
Commission meeting dates have been changed to the fourth Wednesday of each
month, beginning in July. June's meeting will be held on the third Wednesday,
because ABC Director Danielle Elks will preside as president at the annual
meeting of the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators, held during
the last week in June.
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