We have had our differences with outspoken Chattanooga City Councilman Chris Anderson and are certain we'll never agree with him on national politics, but we believe he offers the best opportunity to provide active and forward-thinking leadership for District 7 in the nonpartisan March 7 municipal election.
He is opposed by two very kind and community engaged gentlemen in former two-term Councilman Manny Rico and Erskine Oglesby, but we prefer the incumbent's energy and drive to accomplish what he sets out to do for the district.
"I am a bit of a lightning rod," Anderson, 36, told Times Free Press editors in an interview. "I can be a little too volatile, but I've tried to moderate a little bit."
We prefer, for instance, that he temper his social media posts and not resort to name-calling if he offers an opinion on a volatile issue. After all, reasonable people should be able to disagree but do so without being attacked.
But it's hard to argue with what Anderson, with the help of others, has been able to accomplish for neighborhoods in his district, which includes Alton Park, Downtown, East Lake and St. Elmo. His district has had the largest investment of city funds during his term, including the most paving of any district. A new playground was built at the East Lake Youth and Family Development Center, renovation is in the beginning stages at East Lake Park and a new park is in the planning stages for the former Charles A. Bell School site in Alton Park.
"We're trying to raise the quality of life [for residents]," he said, "and we're working with a lot of people to get it done." His method, he said, is to determine what needs to be done, "make a plan and stay on top of it."
Anderson was candid with editors about the struggle the city has had with Mayor Andy Berke's Violence Reduction Initiative ("it has not worked as well as we would have liked"), with the city's Lexia reading program (only "moderate success"), and a definitive policy on short-term vacation rentals ("we'll try again").
In a second term, he said, he'll try to get even more paving dollars for the district, support a minimum wage rise for all (and at least for city employees) and continue to try to strengthen neighborhoods.
"I've figured out how to make things happen," said Anderson, who said he grew up poor and is a college dropout. "That's why I work so hard. This is an opportunity to give back."
Rico, 71, says he has never had an agenda for the district but just wants to be accessible, allow people to vent and be a public servant. He believes the incumbent has not represented the residents of East Lake and Alton Park well, but if he is re-elected he says he has an "obligation to go where I [am] called." His job, he said, would be to "try to be frugal," represent all his constituents and "be an ambassador for the city."
Oglesby, 61, says he "understands all aspects of the community," comprehends that each community is different and maintains he has the "leadership and vision to blend all that together." While he says growing up in a single-parent home helps him understand what many who are struggling in the district are going through, he says those in the thriving Southside "deserve attention, too." As to policy, Oglesby vows he'll be no "rubber-stamp for anything that's not fair and equitable and not a fiduciary responsibility of government."
We believe the last four years commend Anderson for a second term.