It’s undeniably a victory by technicality, but here’s hoping that today’s developments from the Tennessee Supreme Court will give Council Member Eric Crafton time to focus his energies elsewhere:

Crafton has been trying to place a referendum on the November ballot that would ask Davidson County voters to make English the “only” language in which Metro officials can communicate. There are serious doubts that, even if approved, such a charter amendment would be enforceable due to federal laws.

Crafton had tried to place it on the ballot last year, but was denied because the Metro Charter limits when and how many additions to the document can be made over a multiyear period. Thinking that he had crossed the threshold, he reintroduced the referendum proposal this year only to be denied by the Davidson County Election Commission. The commission ruled, based on advice of the Metro Legal Department, that still not enough time had passed.

Not content with the ruling, Crafton then appealed to the judicial system to overturn that decision. Today, the Tennessee Supreme Court handed down its decision. They have denied Crafton’s motion to have even a hearing, thus letting earlier decisions stand and ensuring that an English Only referendum once again will not be placed on the ballot.

After all this time wasted on such a pointless measure, isn’t it time to do something meaningful that would contribute to improving the quality of life in Nashville? I expect that Crafton won’t do that, but will instead keep frittering away time and money that could easily serve better purposes. Surely there is a better way to serve the public than preying upon people who already have uphill climbs ahead of them.