Cleveland City Council District 1 candidates push for renewal


Reverend Teresa Oglesby of Price Memorial AME Zion Church confronts Cleveland City Councilman Charlie McKenzie over racial slurs he allegedly made while serving part-time with the Bradley County Sheriff's Office.
Reverend Teresa Oglesby of Price Memorial AME Zion Church confronts Cleveland City Councilman Charlie McKenzie over racial slurs he allegedly made while serving part-time with the Bradley County Sheriff's Office.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Candidates for the District 1 seat on the Cleveland City Council want to see renewal for their community.

Hiawatha Brown, a Bradley County Schools educator, has challenged Charlie McKenzie to represent the Southwest Cleveland district. McKenzie, a former law enforcement officer and retired county school bus driver, seeks a third term on the council.

Most of District 1 sits south of Inman Street and Spring Place Road, stretching to the Dalton Pike area in the east and the Interstate 75 connection to APD 40 in the west. The district extends a corridor north to 25th Street, bordered by Keith Street and Georgetown Road.

photo Hiawatha Brown, candidate for Cleveland City Council District 1

Both candidates shared their visions for the district in recent interviews and emails.

"The most important need and goal in District 1 is the Inman Street revitalization program, which includes the newly developed Spring Creek industrial area and the APD 40 bypass connecting to South Lee Highway, Keith Street and Inman Street," McKenzie said.

He said he planned to continue working closely with the council, developers and citizens to accomplish those improvements.

Brown said she considers infrastructure needs the greatest challenge facing the district.

"We need improved drainage, sidewalks and paving," she said. "We need renewed planned urbanization for the southwest of District 1."

She will listen to citizens and bring their concerns to the council, to ensure the district "gets its fair share" for infrastructure improvements, Brown said.

And the candidates shared their reasons for wanting to serve District 1.

The district "has been underrepresented for many years," and the time has come for her to serve its residents after serving Cleveland citizens on behalf of other organizations over the last 24 years, Brown said.

As part of her focus for the district's rebirth and revitalization, she will work to improve voter registration and turnout for District 1, she said.

McKenzie cited his lifelong roots in the community and public service as to why he seeks re-election. The former constable has served with the Cleveland Police Department and the Bradley County Sheriff's Office.

"This is the community in which I grew up and have continued to live all my life," he said. "I have always worked in public service jobs."

Elections for Cleveland offices will be held on Aug. 2, as part of Bradley County's general election. Early voting begins on July 13.

Contact Paul Leach at paul.leach.press@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @pleach_3.

Upcoming Events