Warren Mackey’s Chattanooga neighborhood violence meeting calms rumors, stirs political ire

Direct Greta Hayes of the recreation centers and program division of Parks and Recreation addresses citizens’ concerns during Tuesday’s meeting. Commissioner Warren Mackey held a meeting at the Avondale Recreation Center on Tuesday evening to address a rumor concerning rec centers. The discussion also strayed into violence in the communities and its relation to the centers.

Paula Cannon gives a counterpoint to another resident’s argument concerning usage of city recreation centers. Commissioner Warren Mackey held a meeting at the Avondale Recreation Center on Tuesday evening to address a rumor concerning rec centers. The discussion also strayed into violence in the communities and its relation to the centers.

Commissioner Warren Mackey held a meeting at the Avondale Recreation Center on Tuesday evening to address a rumor concerning rec centers. The discussion also strayed into violence in the communities and its relation to the centers.

Commissioner Warren Mackey, left, listens as Marlin Borngne speaks his mind during a meeting at the Avondale Recreation Center on Tuesday evening. The meeting was held to address a rumor concerning rec centers. The discussion also strayed into violence in the communities and its relation to the centers.

An area teacher told a standing-room-only crowd gathered Monday night at Avondale Recreation Center that neighborhoods in East Chattanooga are losing a generation.

An ex-convict argued they’re actually at risk of losing three — babies, teens and the young adults raising them all.

Meanwhile, elected officials bickered about the meeting that sparked the residents’ discussion.

East Lake Academy teacher Cary Garrett said all of those, including representatives of 10 neighborhoods, had a “dog in the fight” in stopping delinquency and gang-related behavior.

“We’re going to lose a whole generation if we haven’t already,” Garrett said.