Political controversies involving Andy Ogles

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The following is a discussion of political controversies involving Andy Ogles, particularly during his tenure as county mayor of Maury County (2018-present).

Before Seeking Office

Before seeking the county mayorship, Andy Ogles was executive director of the Tennessee branch of Americans for Progress. As a lobbyist for the AFP (an organization supported by the billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch), Ogles had lobbied against a gas tax increase and in favor of the repeal of the Hall Tax (a state tax on interests and dividends). While Ogles was unsuccessful in blocking the gasoline tax increase (which incumbent Charlie Norman had backed as a way to raise funds for improving local roads) the Hall Tax repeal reduced county revenue.[1][2]

2018 Campaign

Republican Nominating Convention

The method used by the Maury County Republican Party to select candidates in 2018 was controversial. The party used a primary election in 2014 (in which Charlie Norman narrowly defeated then-Commissioner Scott Cepicky. Cepicky later became chair of the MCRP. In 2018, the Republicans opted not to have a primary election, on the grounds that it would save the county about $35,000 in expenses associated with conducting the election. Instead, they used a nominating convention, effectively shrinking the pool of Republicans deciding the nomination from several thousand to 122 of the most dedicated party members. Ogles was endorsed by Rep. Sheila Butt, whose tenure in the Tennessee General Assembly was marred by several controversies.[2]

Outside Campaign Advertisements

During the campaign, mail advertisements were sent out by a group calling itself the "Great America Coalition" boosting the candidacy of fourth-place finisher Amanda Kelton. Many, including incumbent mayor Charlie Norman and the Daily Herald editor James Bennett, suspected the outside group as being controlled by Republicans seeking to encourage Democratic voters to back Kelton instead of Norman or Sonny Shackelford, thus further dividing the non-Republican vote in the county to Andy Ogles' benefit. Ogles denied knowing anything about the group.[3]

Offices Controversy

Scott DesJarlais Office

Early in his tenure as County Mayor, Andy Ogles requested office space for U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais on Maury County's Public Square. The county commission approved the request, evicting the deputy clerk in the process after it was rejected by the county budget committee. Ogles argued the office move was necessary to improve relations between the county government and DesJarlais. Some county leaders expressed concern that the monthly rent agreed to between the county and DesJarlais's was lower than it could have been.[4] Democrats also characterized this as a "sweetheart deal" for a fellow "Tea Party" Republican.[5] DesJarlais declined to move his office into the space offered on the public square.

Veterans Services Move

In early 2019, a controversy arose after Ogles backed moving the Veterans Service Office from the Memorial Building (the former U.S. Post Office at 308 West 7th Street) to the Public Square. Ogles argued that the reason for the move was that the Memorial Building basement was unsafe and did not provide enough space for VSO personnel to discuss health concerns privately with veterans. The move raised concerns about parking availability and accessibility, and Ogles himself was criticized for not communicating his intentions and reasoning clearly (which may have contributed to misinformation about the move).[6]

Social Media

Registration of "Muletown Mayor" Trademark

On October 28, 2019, Ogles filed a trademark application for the name "Muletown Mayor." The trademark was for "[e]ntertainment services, namely, an ongoing home renovation and lifestyle series distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media." The application specifically disclaimed any right for the exclusive use of the phrase.[7] Some on social media were critical, both on the grounds that it was liable to result in confusion between Ogles and Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, and that it seemed overtly self-promotional.[8]

Blocking of Critics on Facebook

In 2020, a group of 18 Maury County residents threatened to file a lawsuit against Andy Ogles for blocking them from posting on his posts on Facebook. There is a growing body of case law suggesting this practice may be illegal.[9] Drake Colley, one of the 18 complaining residents, told the Daily Herald:

The mayor wants to live in a silo of constant praise from his own supporters. Just because we don’t agree with him doesn’t mean we should have our ability to engage in the public forum restricted or abolished. My civil rights to be heard on my county mayor’s social media platform along with many others have been violated and I want them restored.[10]

Allegations of Racial Insensitivity

In August 2020, during the presidential election, Andy Ogles posted a Facebook meme featuring a picture of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un with the caption "Why Biden no get virus? He sniff everyone." Some constituents were offended by the post because its humor was premised on racial stereotypes about Asians. Ogles defended the post but apologized to those who were offended.[11][12]

Criticism of "Big Tech Censorship"

After Donald Trump's "@realDonaldTrump" account was permanently suspended by Twitter, and the Parler app was de-platformed by Amazon Web Services in January 2021 after riots at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., Andy Ogles wrote a letter to Gov. Bill Lee and other state officials calling upon them to divest from Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon for allegedly censoring conservative users. In his letter, Ogles wrote:

It is imperative that State Governments take immediate action and rebuke these companies and their actions. Tennesseans should not be forced to invest and support the very companies that are conspiring to silence them. Furthermore, the State of Tennessee should refrain from doing business with these companies by way of prohibition of advertising on Google, Facebook or Twitter and a prohibition of Amazon services until such time these companies admit their errors and remove said censorship and prohibitions from their respective platforms.[13][14]

Ogles' letter met with a cool reception in Nashville; state House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) suggested that Maury County should return tax dollars generated by "Big Tech" operations in the state.[15] Ogles remains an active user on Facebook after sending the letter.

COVID-19 Response

Opposition to Mask Mandates and Closings

While not denying the existence or seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic, Andy Ogles has been critical of government mandates requiring the wearing of masks or closing businesses. Ogles's response has drawn criticism from other public officials in Maury County, particularly Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, who has been a strong supporter of a statewide mask-mandate.[16] Ogles' stance created confusion and division in Spring Hill, which is split between Maury County, which did not have a mask mandate, and Williamson County, which did; and Spring Hill Mayor Rick Graham (like Molder) was powerless to enact a mandate in his town.[17] On the other hand, some local officials in Maury County took similar positions, with the Maury County school board refusing to enact a mask mandate for students.[18]

Ogles expressed support for re-opening the economy as early as April 2020.[19] In June, he wrote a letter to Gov. Bill Lee asking him to end social-distancing requirements in Maury County.[20][21]

Ogles rejected enacting a mask mandate (like neighboring Williamson County did) in July, stating that his opposition was rooted in "liberty, freedom, and personal responsibility," comparing COVID-19 to the seasonal flu, and declaring that "[w]e flattened the curve - we slowed the spread."[22] Ogles has asserted that county mayors do not have the authority under the state constitution to mandate mask-wearing. Ogles has stood by this position despite several nearby counties imposing county-wide mask mandates.[23]

In August 2020, Ogles blamed the mainstream media for creating a "panic" around COVID-19.[24] The Maury County Fair was held without a mask mandate, although Ogles suggested attendees wear masks.[25]

Ogles was the keynote speaker at a rally in Knox County against the Knox County Health Board, organized by the group Tennessee Stands.[26].

At about the same time, Ogles formed a group on Facebook called "Andy's Army TN" advocating against mask mandates and other government interventions in December 2020.[27]

Opposition to State Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn

Ogles was highly critical of a plan proposed by Dr. Penny Schwinn, the state education commissioner, that would have had state workers conduct checks on the well-being of homebound public school students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Voicing the concerns of conservatives in the area about family privacy, and also asserting that schools should remain open, Ogles wrote a Facebook post asking Gov. Bill Lee to fire Dr. Schwinn for the plan. Dr. Schwinn withdrew the proposal shortly after and Gov. Lee affirmed his continued confidence in her.[28]

Mule Day 2021 Controversy

On February 2, 2021, the Maury County Bridle and Saddle Club and the City of Columbia announced that Mule Day (scheduled for the second week of April 2021) would be canceled for the second year in a row due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.[29] Ogles blasted the cancellation, stating in a Facebook post: "It may only be me on a tractor pulling my kids on a hay wagon up and down 7th... but there will be a Mule Day 2021! Who’s with me?"[30]

Ogles argued that Mule Day could be held safely, and helped start a crowd-funding campaign to "Save Mule Day," with a goal of raising $20,000 for an event to be held in May 2021.[31]

References

  1. ↑ Kranish, Michael. "A city's immovable roadblock." The Boston Globe. 11 Oct. 2015. pp. A1, A18. Web (newspapers.com). 20 Feb. 2021.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bennett, James. "Commentary: Sorry, Charlie, for how you were treated." The Daily Herald. 25 Aug. 2018. Web (columbiadailyherald.com). 22 Feb. 2021
  3. ↑ Bennett, James. "Commentary: Outside group tries to influence County Mayor’s race." The Daily Herald. 23 July 2019. Web (columbiadailyherald.com). 22 Feb. 2021.
  4. ↑ Christen, Mike. "County approves DesJarlais office on public square." The Daily Herald. 23 Jan. 2019. Web (columbiadailyherald.com). 22 Feb. 2021.
  5. ↑ Hanners, Greg. "Letter to the editor: What federal dollars from DesJarlais?" The Daily Herald. 25 Jan. 2019. Web (columbiadailyherald.com). 22 Feb. 2021.
  6. ↑ Christen, Mike. "Veterans office move sparks tensions in Maury County." The Daily Herald. 20 Feb. 2019. Web (columbiadailyherald.com). 22 Feb. 2021.
  7. ↑ "Muletown Mayor." United States Patent and Trademark Office - Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS). 23 Feb. 2021. Web (uspto.gov). 23 Feb. 2021.
  8. ↑ Maury Holler. Facebook. 29 Dec. 2020. Web (facebook.com post). 23 Feb. 2021.
  9. ↑ Peters, Jonathan. "Public Officials: Beware Blocking Critics on Social Media." Practice Points. The American Bar Association. 22 July 2019. Web (americanbar.org). 23 Feb. 2021.
  10. ↑ Christen, Mike. "Law firm threatens action against Mayor Andy Ogles for blocking constituents." The Daily Herald. 23 Dec. 2020. Web (columbiadailyherald.com). 23 Feb. 2021.
  11. ↑ Abell, Aj. "Maury County mayor under fire for Facebook posts about COVID-19, Joe Biden." FOX 17 WZTV Nashville. 18 Aug. 2020. Web (fox17.com). 23 Feb. 2021.
  12. ↑ Christen, Mike. "Maury County mayor posts Joe Biden meme on Facebook, igniting tensions." The Daily Herald. 15 Aug. 2020. Web (columbiadailyherald.com). 23 Feb. 2021.
  13. ↑ Reynolds, Jason. "Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles Calls for Tennessee to Dump Any State-Held Equity in Big Tech Companies Over Censorship." The Tennessee Star. 14 Jan. 2021. Web (tennesseestar.com). 23 Feb. 2021.
  14. ↑ Gill, Joey. "Tennessee mayor wants state to sever ties with major tech over alleged censorship." WKRN.com. 13 Jan. 2021. Web (wkrn.com). 23 Feb. 2021.
  15. ↑ Christen, Mike. "Maury County mayor calls on state legislators to 'dump big tech.'" The Daily Herald. 13 Jan. 2021. Web (columbiadailyherald.com). 23 Feb. 2021.
  16. ↑ Bennett, James. "James Bennett column: Columbia Mayor Molder, family endure bout with COVID-19." The Daily Herald. 5 Sept. 2020. Web (columbiadailyherald.com). 24 Feb. 2021.
  17. ↑ Kelman, Brett. "Mask mandates or 'freedom'? An impasse in Tennessee town." The Tennessean. 19 Aug. 2020. pp. 1A, 15A. Web (newspapers.com). 24 Feb. 2021.
  18. ↑ Jacob, Kathleen. "Maury Co. Board votes down mask mandate despite support from superintendent, legal council." Fox 17 WZTV Nashville. 5 Aug. 2020. Web (fox17.com). 24 Feb. 2021.
  19. ↑ "Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles weighs in on reopening the economy." WKRN.com. 20 April 2020. Web (wkrn.com). 24 Feb. 2021.
  20. ↑ Sutton, Caroline. "Mayor Ogles asks state to eliminate COVID-19 restrictions in Maury County." News Channel 5 Nashville. 3 June 2020. Web (newschannel5.com). 24 Feb. 2021.
  21. ↑ Christen, Mike. "Maury County mayor calls for all COVID-19 restrictions to be lifted." The Daily Herald. 31 May 2020. Web (columbiadailyherald.com). 24 Feb. 2021.
  22. ↑ Willis, Alexander. "'The insanity has to stop:' County Mayor Andy Ogles will not impose mask mandate in Maury County." Spring Hill Homepage. 7 July 2020. Web (williamsonhomepage.com). 24 Feb. 2021.
  23. ↑ Beimfohr, Chelsea. "Columbia mayor pushes for state-wide mask mandate as Maury County COVID-19 cases increase." WKRN.com. 11 Nov. 2020. Web (wkrn.com). 24 Feb. 2021.
  24. ↑ WSMV Digital Staff. "Outspoken Maury County mayor says COVID-19 panic created by the media." WSMV News 4 Nashville. 18 Aug. 2020. Web (wsmv.com). 24 Feb. 2021.
  25. ↑ Jorge, Kaylin. "'Inherent Risk' Maury County Fair starts next week, organizers warn of COVID-19 exposure." Fox 17 WZTV Nashville. 25 Aug. 2020. Web (fox17.com). 24 Feb. 2021.
  26. ↑ D'Abrosca, Peter. "Tennessee Stands Rallies Against Knox County Health Board Mandate." The Tennessee Star. 20 Dec. 2020. Web (tennesseestar.com). 24 Feb. 2021.
  27. ↑ Fox 17 News Digital Staff. "Maury County mayor forms 'online army' opposing masks mandates." Fox 17 WZTV Nashville. 23 Dec. 2020. Web (fox17.com). 24 Feb. 2021.
  28. ↑ Christen, Mike. "Ogles calls for the removal of Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn." The Daily Herald. 10 Sept. 2020. Web (columbiadailyherald.com). 24 Feb. 2021.
  29. ↑ Powell, Jay. "Mule Day 2021 canceled once again due to COVID-19." The Daily Herald. 2 Feb. 2021. Web (columbiadailyherald.com). 24 Feb. 2021.
  30. ↑ Christen, Mike. "Maury County mayor opposes Mule Day cancelation." The Daily Herald. 6 Feb. 2021. Web (columbiadailyherald.com). 24 Feb. 2021.
  31. ↑ Powell, Jay. "'Building for the future': Mule Day supporters plan for May revival, will include concert and parade." The Daily Herald. 16 Feb. 2021. Web (columbiadailyherald.com). 24 Feb. 2021.

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