Final Chattanooga City Redistricting ProposalHOW THEY VOTEDThe Chattanooga City Council voted 6-0 Tuesday night to adopt a new city redistricting plan. The votes were:* YES: Councilman Jack Benson, Councilwoman Carol Berz, Councilman Peter Murphy, Councilman Manny Rico, Councilwoman Sally Robinson, Councilwoman Deborah Scott* ABSENT FROM THE VOTE: Councilman Russell Gilbert, Councilman Andraé McGary and Councilwoman Pam LaddIN OTHER NEWSCity Attorney Mike McMahan announced Tuesday night a settlement of $7,500 had been reached with one plaintiff in a case brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against the city concerning sexual harassment charge. The charges were brought on former General Services Director Paul Page. McMahan said a second plaintiff decided not to settle. He said the case would now go to the U.S. Department of Justice and they would determine if they wish to file a suit against the city on behalf of the second woman.
An alternate redistricting plan got no traction Tuesday night.
The City Council voted 6-0 on first reading of a redistricting proposal even as a citizens redistricting group begged the body to consider another plan.
“We think the proposal we made is in the best interest of the African-American community,” said Joe Rowe, first vice president for the local NAACP.
The City Council has spent more than a month going over redistricting plans, coming to a conclusion of having three strong black majority-minority districts and one swing district comprised of black and Hispanic voters.