Jerry Mitchell, the 62-year-old incumbent in Chattanooga's District 2, is the clear and only choice for city voters on March 7.
Mitchell has been private business most of his life but has two previous stints in public service when he served as director of parks and recreation for former mayors Jon Kinsey and Bob Corker. In that time, he oversaw an increase in city park lands – including Coolidge Park, The Champions Club in Lupton City, DuPont Park in Hixson, Enterprise South Nature Park and the 21st Century Waterfront. In 2013, Mitchell made his first run for elected office and defeated two opponents vying to replace retiring Councilwoman Sally Robinson.
Mitchell says he continues to play a strong role in Chattanooga's recreational and outdoor life, as he was instrumental in talking Mayor Andy Berke into recruiting Ironman here. It was a large investment - $125,000 - but it paid off many times over, officials have said, noting they city hopes to attract similar events.
But Mitchell's passion these days appears to be more toward little people - specifically those in need of early childhood development.
"We've got to expand early childhood development," Mitchell said, noting that this is the easiest, best deterrent to the later education problems that create gangs and violence. He said getting the city's existing early childhood programs paired with United Way will prove to be a great success.
Every dollar we spend on early childhood development will bring us $13 on the back end [in better schools and workers who can get jobs]," he said. " There are probably 4,000 to 5,000 children every year that ought to be receiving this who are not. We've got to talk about that in the long run."
District 2 runs from the Tennessee River north to Red Bank and Highway 153. He says many of his constituents tell him roads and crime are their main concerns. Like other council incumbents, Mitchell says road paving money has been increased in the past four years, but needs to increase still more. He also says that the city's Violence Reduction Initiative hasn't worked as well as city officials had hoped it would, but he still believes it has merit and he heartily approves of Police Chief Fred Fletcher.
Mitchell is opposed by retired U.S. Navy Capt. Mickey McCamish, 74, who is leading marketing and sponsorships for the Chattanooga Riverbend Festival.
Mitchell should get the votes of Chattanooga District 2 residents.