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Chattanooga: Candidates speak mind at forum

By: Elizabeth Ryan
(Contact)

Included in this article

Andy Berke
Oscar Brown
Joe Rowe
Russell Gilbert
Joanne Favors

The day after former City Councilman John “Duke” Franklin pleaded guilty to charges in a drug case, candidates for the open District 5 seat addressed voters on Thursday at a forum held at Friendship Community Church in Brainerd.

About 40 people attended the event to hear candidates Russell Gilbert and Joe Rowe respond to e-mailed questions on public safety, business development and public improvements. District 10 state Senate candidates Sen. Andy Berke-D-Chattanooga and Oscar Brown, a Republican from Marion County, also spoke, along with Rep. Joanne Favors, D-Chattanooga. Ms. Favors’s opponent Basil Marceaux Jr. was invited but did not attend.

“I think outside the box,” said Mr. Gilbert, citing his work for the River City Football League to secure $174,000 from the city to build a football field and track in Washington Hills. He also touted his experience as the food service director for Parkridge Valley Hospital managing an annual budget of $500,000.

“I don’t just look at a budget, I make sure a budget works.” he said.

Mr. Rowe, a former Hamilton County election commissioner, said his management experience at DuPont and knowledge of the issues set him apart from his opponent.

“It’s not just about parks and recreation, it’s much bigger than that,” he said. “I feel like I have the experience and the capability to understand what’s going on from the outset and to provide strong leadership to be able to function effectively.”

For voter Cynthia Stanley-Cash, president of the North Brainerd Neighborhood Association, however, neither candidate sufficiently explained how they would they would reduce the rising crime rates that local residents are most concerned with.

“I wanted to hear more about policing in our community, finding funds to increase the police personnel in our community,” she said. “It concerns me that we don’t have enough police protection and the excuse is always not enough funding money, not enough funding money but you always read how they increase the police funding money and employees for downtown.”

Undecided voter Debora Ervin said the forum gave her a better idea of what the candidates are about, but said her vote will depend on more than just political platforms.

“The character is very, very important,” she said. “I will definitely be looking at the character of the next person who takes that seat.”

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