...Visits to Knoxville mayoral campaign headquarters on a weekday and a Saturday offer sharp contrasts. This columnist popped into three headquarters one day last week to see what was happening and then returned Saturday to two since volunteers were gathering to go into neighborhoods to campaign.

Mark Padgett has his headquarters at 123 Gay St., a half block from Jackson Avenue. Late Friday morning, he was there with seven interns and three staffers in a mostly quiet atmosphere. A mixture of work was under way, from making telephone calls to keeping records up to date. Stacks of yard signs were neatly arranged for volunteers to pick up on Saturday to distribute.

And on Saturday, things were abuzz with volunteers out to get their assignments. Doughnuts and coffee were available. Many wore Padgett T-shirts but not everyone. Padgett said that because of the downtown location, the office attracts walk-ins.

Corey Johns, a Republican activist, was there. Johns said that since the city elections are nonpartisan, he is supporting Padgett, a Democrat who is a businessman, because of his budgetary and managerial experience and business acumen.

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