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.