In the March 7 Chattanooga election, The Chattanooga Times recommends:
Mayor
Andy Berke
In [Andy] Berke's time, unemployment has fallen from about 7 percent to a low of 4 percent in May 2016. Along the way during those four years, Chattanooga experienced the third highest wage growth in the country for a mid-sized city. To keep moving ahead, Andy Berke is the clear and correct choice for Chattanooga."
District 1
Chip Henderson
"[A]s chairman of the public safety committee, [Chip Henderson] understands that gang violence in any district is a problem for all districts - and not just a problem of law enforcement, but also of our social systems, education and workforce development efforts."
District 2
Jerry Mitchell
"[Jerry] Mitchell's passion [is] early childhood development. [He says, and we agree,] this is the easiest, best deterrent to the later education problems that create gangs and violence, [and] getting the city's existing early childhood programs paired with United Way will prove to be a great success."
District 5
Russell Gilbert
"[Russell Gilbert's] accomplishments are not quiet. [B]ringing city tax dollars to roads and a tunnel, as well as coaxing Wal-Mart to see opportunity in a district that has in the past been left behind certainly looks aggressive enough - and in a good way - to us."
District 7
Chris Anderson
"Chris Anderson in his first four years on the Chattanooga City Council has proven to be something of a lightning rod, but he has transferred that electricity to his district - and the improvements are unmistakable. [His] success as a councilman must not be ignored."
District 8
Anthony Byrd
"[Anthony Byrd]'s interested in bringing city government closer to the people in his neighborhood of East Chattanooga . Chattanooga offers "awesome opportunity" for people here, but that awesomeness and the information about how to avail ourselves of the city's opportunities too often don't make it to the city's "forgotten children" in the streets of poorer neighborhoods."
District 9
John Kerns
"John L. Kerns is a man who's done his homework on city issues, and he's the best choice for voters. He already has a record of what he calls "opportunity creation." [H]e started a business from scratch, [with] 75 employees - most of them from the district."
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Two city council members - Ken Smith of District 3 and Carol Berz of District 6 - are running unopposed in the election. Darrin Ledford is the only candidate running in District 4, currently represented by Larry Grohn, who is running for mayor.
KEY ELECTION DATES
- Last day to request absentee ballot: Feb. 28
- Early voting period: Wednesday-March 2; Election Day - March 7
EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS
- Brainerd Recreation Center, Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 1010 N. Moore Road Chattanooga, TN 37411
- North River Civic Center, Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 1009 Executive Drive #102 Hixson, TN 37343
- Election Commission Office, Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 700 River Terminal Road Chattanooga, TN 37406
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- Contact the Hamilton County Election Commission at 423-493-5100 or visit elect.hamiltontn.gov.