The Davidson County Public Defender Ross Alderman has filed for injunctive and declaratory relief as to whether his office is controlled by the term limit provisions found in the Metro Charter. The effort is being headed by many people close to the mayor, who is also attempting to maintain three term limit credibility

“It’s rather interesting, politically and otherwise. As to the possibility or conjectures that can be raised as a result of that fact … it is somewhat peculiar,” said attorney Cecil D. Branstetter, a member of the original Metro Charter Commission. “I hope that it’s head-on for Alderman, and not an effort to determine … if they win this lawsuit, (whether it) would also cover the mayor.”

It’s quite possible this is a trial run for the mayor’s own eventual efforts at injunctive and declaratory relief.

Alderman has not served two full terms as the county’s public defender. As of 2007, the next year we have Metro elections, Mayor Purcell will have served two full terms, the maximum allowed by an amendment to the Metro Charter in 1994. However, the shortened term is not cited as a ground for relief by Alderman. Interesting.

We will have to see how this one develops.