Joe Carr and Craig Harris, Part I
Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr announced yesterday that he and County Commissioner Craig Harris have agreed to settle their recent differences by competing in a Greco-Roman wrestling match.
The competition between Carr and Harris will take place Saturday, September 30th on the square outside the Rutherford County Courthouse and will be televised live on the county’s Government Access Channel (RCTV). Members of the public are invited to attend in person by purchasing a ticket, with proceeds benefiting the Friends of the Linebaugh Library non-profit organization.
Carr said County Commissioner Pettus Read had agreed to be the referee, and that he was especially pleased to announce that Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs (better known as “Kane”) had volunteered to serve as a special advisor for the event. “Obviously, as a former professional wrestler himself, Mayor Jacobs brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this arena, and I’m just tickled that he was able to make room in his schedule for us,” said Carr.
Ticket prices will be $10.00 for General Admission, $6.00 for Seniors 65 and older, $25.00 for reserved seating in the first or second row, and $100.00 for the “Winners Circle” VIP seats, which will include a private reception with wine and hors d'oeuvres approximately one hour prior to the event. Reception attendees will also be given the opportunity to have a photo taken with “Kane.”
Carr said that his own wrestling moniker will be “Carus” after the 3rd Century Roman Emperor who ruled for just under a year before allegedly being struck by lightning. For his costume he has selected an off-white toga virilis with a red sash and gold trim.
Craig Harris said that he would be adopting neither a nom de guerre nor special attire. “I’m not doing that [expletive],” said Harris, “I don’t even know why we’re making this big [expletive] show out of it. If Joe thinks he can fight me, then we should fight it out right here, right now. Let’s get this [expletive] over with and move on.”
The public squabble between Carr and Harris began on August 7th shortly after a meeting of the Rutherford County Commission’s Steering Committee. Security camera footage from that evening shows the two officials having what appears to be a rather heated exchange. In the days and weeks following the incident, a series of accusations, rumors, denials, non-denial denials and non-mea culpas ensued until the two finally reached an agreement for the end of September wrestling match.
The Mayor said that he believes there will be tremendous public interest in the event. “I’m hoping for a really, really big downtown turnout,” said Carr, “maybe even bigger than Wine Around the Square.”
Harris disagreed with the Mayor’s optimism. “I don’t know if I’d spend money on it personally, I mean this [expletive] is gonna be over like THAT,” said Harris, snapping his fingers for emphasis, “I don’t know if that’s worth the ten bucks or whatever it is they’re charging. I guess we’ll see how many people show up, but I’m not expecting much of a crowd.”
“We have a unique opportunity here,” said Carr, “It’s an opportunity to share with the people of this community a special moment in Rutherford County history that’s not only physical, educational, entertaining, and fun for families, but that also gives them a chance to feel like they’re participating in government.”
This is hilarious. I really don’t cuss that much, but consider the source of the one accusing me of it. I thought it was well written.
Oh how I wish this match was for real!