CITY COUNCIL RACES
District 1
Intent, Method, Results
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hat began as an attempt to offer an alternative to Chattanooga’s daily newspaper election coverage has unexpectedly, but delightfully, evolved into a social experiment that serves both our readers and celebrates the engagement of young people within the realm of local politics. The Pulse sought early on to forge a partnership with Nooga.com (a natural alliance, we wrongly presumed) to offer readers in print and those who visit that website with a true alternative to the Time Free Press’ election coverage. That call went unanswered. In the time since, the TFP has offered lop-sided coverage of Andy Berke’s mayoral campaign, paying only scant attention to challenger Guy Satterfield and, most recently to flame-throwing (and perennial) candidate Chester Heathington. Nooga.com launched its own election site, keencitizen.com (whatever that means), a low-profile experiment backed by the Lamp Post Group (home of Weston Wamp and not without its own political agenda) that provides visitors the opportunity to “give a hand” to candidates in what amounts to a popularity contest. Got fans, candidates? Click. What transpired at The Pulse is much different. Assigning our interns to canvass city council candidates from their perspective as youthful voters succeeded on all levels. While the basic information contained here is readily available almost anywhere (but even much of that is not included elsewhere), we asked our interns to rate and offer their perceptions of the candidates based on their encounters. To their credit, most, but not all, eagerly received their inquiries and responded enthusiastically. The results are presented here, not in the wildly fantastic graphic form we first intended, but with revealing honesty and with a bonus perspective from those who stand to inherit the government we who are engaged and actually vote give them, for better or worse. The ratings system worked like this: Interns called or confronted candidates in person, filling in the blanks and basic details. Their ratings—on a scale of 0 to 10 (bad to best) were based on a candidates’ accessibility, responsiveness, earnestness, a pleasant reception and eagerness to speak with them—are recorded here along with their impressions and recommendations. Some may find them lacking; we find them illuminating and often instructive. On Page 13, we’ve culled some simple data from these interviews and offer our recommendations (but not endorsements), for what they’re worth. To say our own perceptions were colored by those of our interns is to understate our cause. Given the historically low voter turnout for city elections—18 percent in 2009—we value these impressions even more. And, given the non-value of dueling endorsements that cancel themselves out at the TFP, and the self-serving “ovations” on keencitizen.com, we hope our efforts offer something more valuable. Form your own opinions, but vote. The consequences of not participating are obvious. —The Editor
Precincts: Hixson 1, Lookout Valley 1 Moccasin Bend, Mountain Creek 1 & 3, Northwoods 2
Pat Hagan Age: 62 Occupation: Patient care technician at Memorial Hospital, retired TVA accountant Website/Facebook Page: Facebook.com/ pathaganforchattanoogacitycouncil I’m running because … “I know I can handle the job of a city council person. I’m a common citizen with common sense.” And from his website: “The City Council represents the people, it is not a place to make a name for yourself.” Pulse Intern Rating Accessibility: 8 Responsiveness: 7 Earnestness: 6 Pleasant/Eager to Talk: 7 Perception: 6 • Seems like a neat guy, but he doesn’t have the political strategies other candidates have to achieve the goals of their platforms.
CHATTANOOGA M
IONS CAMPA T C E I EL
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PESAUKAH 201 E N G
Chip Henderson
R & CITY COUNCIL AYO
Age: 52 Occupation: Owner, Henderson Construction Company Website/Facebook Page: Facebook. com/electchiphenderson I’m running because … “I got into the race after members of the community suggested I consider running and now I feel I can make a difference. I have 22 years of running a successful business.” Pulse Intern Rating Accessibility: 3 Responsiveness: 7 Earnestness: 7 Pleasant/Eager to Talk: 8 Perception: 7 • Accessibility was an issue, but I could see him doing a good job. I’d be most likely to vote for him (our intern said).
Jim Folkner Age: 61 Occupation: Semiretired businessman Website/Facebook Page: electjimfolkner.com I’m running because … “The government has lost touch. I’m tired of seeing money wasted on irrelevant issues. Wages of city workers and the police are too low, crime too high, and funding for the essential services is blown on wellness issues. I’m the right person to change that.” Pulse Intern Rating Accessibility: 7
12 • The Pulse • february 28-march 6, 2013 • chattanoogapulse.com
Responsiveness: 8 Earnestness: 7 Pleasant/Eager to Talk: 9 Perception: 8 • Led citizen group to recall Mayor Ron Littlefield. Funny guy, pleasantly chatted for 10 minutes. He knows his stuff and is interested in public safety. I liked him (said our intern), but Henderson is the better choice. Editor’s note: Folkner is the Tea Party gadfly who led the unsuccessful Recall Ron efforts. He bounces between Chattanooga and Red Bank in attempt to find support and an office.
Tom McCullough Age: 66 Occupation: Recently “retired” principal of Signal Mountain Middle/High School. I’m running because … “I’ve spent 36 years in the education system and now want to continue that public service and make a difference in peoples’ lives in the community.” Pulse Intern Rating Accessibility: 5 Responsiveness: 3 Earnestness: 3 Pleasant/Eager to Talk: 4 Perception: 4 • McCullough was suspended (later lifted) then retired from his post as principal of Signal Mountain Middle/ High School when a scandal put him in the crosshairs after a supervised student trip involving alcohol came to light. He said he couldn’t handle the nepotism and “it’s-who-you-know” at Signal Mountain High. Can he remain fair in a city council position and not bow to those with high demands? Editor’s note: McCullough was principal at Hixson High in the early 1980s, where he could have been the model for the fictional principal in “The Breakfast Club.” Some things never change.
District 2
Precincts: Lupton City, North Chattanooga 1 & 2, Northgate 1 & 2, Riverview Stuart Heights
Jerry Mitchell Age: 57 Occupation: Full-time candidate Website/Facebook: mitchellforcitycouncil.com, facebook. com/jerrymitchelldistrict2 I’m running because … “I want Chattanooga to be the best it can be.” Pulse Intern Rating Accessibility: 10 Responsiveness: 10 Earnestness: 9 Pleasant/Eager To Talk: 10 Perception: 10 • Mitchell is one smooth-talking, cool customer coming out District 2 with a lot of support from his neighborhood. He’s a confident guy
who feels great about his position in the race, and it shows. If attitude alone could determine a winner, this contest would be over.
Priscilla Simmons Age: 63 Occupation: Retired government financial manager Website/Facebook: electpriscillasimmons.com, facebook. com/priscillasimmonsforcitycouncil I’m running because … “I want to protect the taxpayers’ money.” Pulse Intern Rating Accessibility: 10 Responsiveness: 9 Earnestness: 9 Pleasant/Eager To Talk: 10 Perception: 9 • Simmons is a nice woman with a genuine Southern charm. Her eagerness is unmatched in this race and her determination serves her well against her competitors. She’s a motherly type, very concerned about the finances of the city, the people who pay taxes and you get the sense she’s trying to help.
Rodger Tuder Age: 62 Occupation: President and CEO, Associated General Contractors Website/Facebook: rogertuder. com, facebook.com/roger.tuder I’m running because … “I’ve got 37 years of professional and private experience that I can offer to my community.” Pulse Intern Rating Accessibility: 9 Responsiveness: 8 Earnestness: 7 Pleasant/Eager To Talk: 7 Perception: 7 • Tuder is a politician’s politician. The first time I met him, he hit me with the “Hey, I’ve met you before” reel. I don’t think I’ve ever set foot in his district. Other than that, he seemed to be a good guy, but responded with the typical canned answers you’d expect from a politician.
District 3
Precincts: Dupont, Hixson 2 & 3, Murray Hills 1 & 2, Northwoods 1
Pam Ladd (Incumbent) Age: 55 Occupation: Former owner, Custom Custodial Website/Facebook: pamladd.com I’m seeking reelection … “So that I can use my council experience to continue capital improvements in the district— especially including an expanded paving program citywide—and also to help resolve the main issues facing the city. Specifically, during my tenure on the council we obtained the title to the old Hixson Middle School and began converting it to a community
center that has Pulse Intern R Accessibility: 6 Responsivenes Earnestness: 8 Pleasant Eager Perception: 7 Editor’s note: L effective, faces Ken Smith. He’s savvy and forwa
Ken Smith
Age: 40 Occupation: Sm for 10 years bef information offi Group, a local a Website/Faceb electkensmith.c I’m running be my experience as a long-time b an active civic le fiscally conserv sense approach that is more com transparent and to the taxpayer core values of o Pulse Intern R Accessibility: 1 Responsivenes Earnestness: 8 Pleasant/Eage Perception: 9 • My candidate 3 (says our inte toward the futu willing to answe his wife’s name
District 4
Precincts: Con East Brainerd 1
Jack Benso
Age: 83 Occupation: Fu previous occup director of Big B and assistant su Chattanooga C I’m seeking ree “I want our elec serve the best i being represent values, vision, w and judgment n District 4 and th Pulse Intern R Accessibility: 8 Responsivenes Earnestness: 3 Pleasant/Eage Perception: 2 • Benson claims health, but at 83 Chattanooga’s at heart? Some fresh ideas from Editor’s note: A to discount a ca advanced age s