Mayor Davenport to seek fifth term
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The announcement came Tuesday night after Davenport gave aldermen a chance to make their own re-election announcements ‘ a chance they passed on with silence.
‘In that case, I’ll be the first one to jump out then,’ he said. After a lengthy discussion with his wife, Patti, en route to the Tennessee Municipal League 69th annual conference held in Memphis on Tuesday, they decided he would run for re-election this fall.
‘I appreciate your support and your vote,’ said Davenport. ‘I’ll try my best to do a good job. I look forward to serving the city of McMinnville. I look forward to serving in the Tennessee Municipal League.’
The municipal league was one of the factors in his decision to once again run for mayor. During Tuesday’s conference, Davenport was sworn in as first vice president. If he is re-elected as mayor in 2008, he will be named TML president in June 2009 ‘ the first McMinnville mayor to achieve the position.
TML is a voluntary, cooperative organization established by the cities and towns of Tennessee for mutual assistance and improvement. The league’s primary function is to lobby the Tennessee General Assembly on behalf of city governments.
Davenport sees benefits for the city if he is named TML president
‘As president of the organization, you are involved in presenting cities and towns to the governor and to the legislature,’ said Davenport. ‘Before action is taken by the state legislature, they will ask my opinion.’
If he is not re-elected, the city will still be involved in TML. However, the chance of having a McMinnville mayor become TML president will be gone at this time.
‘This is not about me,’ said Davenport. ‘The city of McMinnville is a member of TML. The person who is mayor of McMinnville will be in the organization. I’m in a position to become president of TML. If I’m not re-elected, the mayor will still represent the city, but not as TML president.’
While Davenport was named first vice president Tuesday, another award hit close to home. Patti Davenport, his wife, was presented with the Stand By Your Spouse Award given each year to the spouse of an elected official in recognition of the many contributions they make in the name of public service.
‘The spouse of a city official is a sounding board and a constant supporter,’ said TML president and Alamo mayor Tommy Green. ‘The spouse is called on to have a built-in sense of humor and source of patience, and to generously share the city official with the community, which often means taking time away from the family.’
A native of Oak Ridge, Patti spent more than 10 years working in Knoxville for FIS Associates and currently works in McMinnville for Totherow, Haile, and Welch. She and Mayor Davenport have been married for seven years.
‘Patti is everyone’s friend and is universally characterized as sweet, soft-hearted, and accepting of others,’ said Davenport. ‘Her glowing smile and ready acceptance of most people are indicative of her desire for everything to go as well as possible.’
While supportive of her husband’s public service work, Patti is also active in the community. Some of her civic activities include being a past board member of the local Families in Crisis; active member of the Lions Club; volunteering at Magness Library and local events; and a graduate of Leadership McMinnville and the Citizen’s Police Academy.
TML includes 347 Tennessee cities and towns and represents 99 percent of Tennessee’s municipal citizens. Out of all the elected officials’ spouses in the organization, Patti was chosen.
‘Patti Davenport is a strong supporter of her husband in all his public duties, a strong promoter of McMinnville, and is most deserving of this recognition,’ said Green.