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Tom for Mayor, I

Album: 22: The Changing Times

Episode: 286

Lesson/Theme: God's guidance in times of trouble.

Bible Verse: John 17:11

Characters: Bart, Sam, Bernard, Connie, Eugene, Tom

Writer: Paul McCusker

Sound Designer: Dave Arnold

Original Air Date: October 29, 1994

Last Air Date: February 26, 2009

Description:
Odyssey's mayor has suddenly and mysteriously resigned. So Bernard and the gang at Whit's End convince Tom Riley that he is the best man for the job. Tom accepts their endorsement and announces his candidacy for mayor. But he isn't running unopposed. Bart Rathbone also has his sights set on the office. Bart is convinced that he would make a better mayor than Tom would. Immediately, Bart starts campaigning against Tom. Bart's opposition ends up being the least of Tom's worries. In the midst of all this, Philip Glossman shows up, bringing with him two thugs from the Environmental Detection Agency. They have come because of the Edgebiter Chemical Company spill, which occurred a few years back. The result of the spill was that several bushels of contaminated apples were accidentally shipped from Tom's farm. The agents have complete authority to scour Tom's farm. What's going to happen on Tom's land and with the election? The story continues in part II...

Questions:
Do you think Christians should run for public office? Explain. What was wrong with the way Bart ran his campaign? Could Tom have done anything to avoid the scandal? Why was Glossman so intent on ruining Tom? Explain.