Staff Photo by Angela Lewis Foster / Cynthia Stanley-CashCynthia Stanley-Cash has entered the Chattanooga City Council race, hoping to represent District 5.
Cash, a resident of North Brainerd, has run for the seat twice before - once against then-incumbent John Franklin and then again against current Councilman Russell Gilbert in 2017.
"I am so excited about this opportunity and am so deeply honored by my family, friends, and neighbors for their encouragement and support," she said in a recent email. "Now I am asking you for your support by electing me to represent you and our city. I am pleased to inform you that this elected position is nonpartisan and will be represented in a nonpartisan way."
Now retired, Cash prides herself on the years she spent as a full-time working mother, school volunteer and PTA member at Woodmore Elementary, Dalewood Middle and Brainerd High schools simultaneously, using her "free time" to volunteer, serve on community boards and as president of the North Brainerd Neighborhood Association, where she brought community issues before local officials, including the City Council, regularly.
"It takes a whole lot of community leaders to represent everyone in our unique district," Cash said Friday, noting the diversity of neighborhoods. "We're not just a Black neighborhood or anything like that, and I hate seeing people run for office with just one agenda."
If elected, Cash says she would prioritize working with other elected officials to benefit the whole city, not just focusing on her community.
"If there needs to be a stop sign on a road somewhere between District 9 and District 5, but that part of the road happens to be in the other district, someone shouldn't say, 'Oh well, not my district,'" she said as an example. "We all drive the road, we all need the stop sign.
"We should be, and I would, work with everyone, not just people in my community."
Specifically, Cash said she would work on unifying the city to promote economic development.
"My vision as your City Council elected representative is one of unity, inclusion and transparency. I will pledge unity by working with you and all elected city, county, and state representatives for the betterment of our district, city and our state," she said. "Again, this elected position is nonpartisan and will be represented in a nonpartisan way. I am asking for your vote and by electing me, I will work overtime for our community development."
Cash plans to share a more specific plan for the district later in the campaign but said Friday she is looking forward to running after receiving support from community members.
"Together we will form a District 5 council that will include homeowners, property owners and small businesses for the betterment of our district and their success," she added. "Most Chattanooga city residents pay two property taxes, city and county. Working together, we can return more of our city and county tax dollars back into our district by way of economic and community development."
Contact Sarah Grace Taylor at staylor@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6416. Follow her on Twitter @_sarahgtaylor.