Interpersonal tensions between Chattanooga City Council members have reached a boiling point after a contentious chair vote in April.
The growing divide resulted in talking over one another and a cacophony of raised voices during Tuesday night’s meeting. One council member called an emerging voting bloc the “clique six” during the altercation. A few have said by phone they have viewed other council members’ actions, whether voting a certain way or voicing opposition, as retaliatory over the past few months since the chair vote.
The vote at the time was split 5-4 to elect council member Jeff Davis of Hixson as the chair, as opposed to council member Marvene Noel of Orchard Knob. It was the first time in at least five years that a chair vote had not been unanimous. The position, chosen annually by the council, runs council meetings and assigns committee heads.
Davis voted for himself, as well as council members Jenny Hill of North Chattanooga, Chip Henderson of Lookout Valley, Cody Harvey of East Brainerd and Dennis Clark of Cherokee Woods.
Noel voted for herself alongside council members Raquetta Dotley of Alton Park, Jenni Berz of Brainerd Hills and Ron Elliott of Missionary Ridge.