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February 13, 2009
City council and mayoral candidates discuss goals with residents
The Brainerd Unity Group and the Midtown Chamber Council held a round of community discussions Thursday evening aimed at bringing Chattanooga voters face-to-face with candidates in the March 3 election. Tables were set up in the Friendship Community Church gym for each council district with contested races, and residents questioned the candidates on crime, neighborhood and economic development, and community outreach programs.
Council District Nine, which includes portions of Highland Park, Avondale, Eastdale, Bushtown, and Missionary Ridge, is represented by Councilwoman Debbie Gaines, who earlier announced that she is not seeking reelection. Five candidates are in the race to replace her. Quenston Coleman, J.T. McDaniel, Thomas Mott, Peter Murphy, and Jackie Thomas took turns answering questions submitted by residents and administered by moderators Dr. Fran Bender and Dr. Olin Ivey.
Some of the sharpest disagreement came when Peter Murphy advocated hiring more police officers to patrol crime-ridden areas, and both Jackie Thomas and Thomas Mott stated that increased patrols do not work in minority communities. Quenston Coleman said that he would focus on intervening in children's lives early on, so that they developed good habits. J.T. McDaniel stated that economic development was key to reducing crime.
When asked about library funding, most candidates agreed that using funds to establish reading centers in the districts would be better than refurbishing a central location downtown.
Regarding recreation, Mr. Murphy lamented the city spending $16 million on the new softball complex at Summit, when Montague Park remains closed, and "all it needs is dirt." Ms. Thomas countered by saying that she wouldn't want kids playing on potentially toxic ground unless we could be absolutely sure there was no danger.
The city's other open council seat, in District Three, drew fewer participants, but candidates Pam Ladd and George Patten appeared to have a good discussion. (Note: I stayed at the District Nine table, so my report on the others is from a distance.)
In District Six, Councilwoman Carol Berz had a large group to herself, as opponent Marti Rutherford did not attend. Many of those in attendance reside and do business in the 6th District, so Rutherford's absence came as somewhat of a surprise. I had heard one person say that she was planning to send a representative in her stead, but that did not happen, so it's unclear whether there was a competing event, or she chose not to come.
In District Eight, challengers Dennis Clark and Andraé McGary faced off without their opponent, Councilman Leamon Pierce, at the table. Again, I have no word on whether or not there was a scheduling conflict for the councilman.
No candidates were on hand from Districts One or Seven (though Joe Graham did make a brief appearance toward the end of the night). Mayor Littlefield's regularly scheduled district-wide meeting had the District 1 folks in Lookout Valley; I'm not sure if there was something similar keeping the District 7 candidates.
Councilmen Jack Benson (District Four) and Russell Gilbert (District Five) attended the forum, but as they are unopposed, they did not hold specific district discussions, but mingled with various attendees. Props to them for showing up.
Following an intermission (with food!), mayoral candidates Rob Healy and Thomas Smith II took center stage to answer questions submitted by each of the council district tables. Mayor Ron Littlefield was unable to attend, due to the aforementioned District 1 meeting. Rev. Mike Feely, Executive Director of the St. Andrews Center, moderated.
I'm generally abstaining from comment on the mayoral race, but certain items are too critically important to ignore: Thomas Smith announced his certainty that he would win a swimsuit contest, were one to be held among the three candidates. That remark brought the biggest crowd response of the night.
Early voting continues through February 26, and the election is on March 3. Get to know your candidates, and please vote.
Chattanooga City Elections , Community | By joe lance | 12:00 PM
