I am supporting Dr. Carol Berz for the City Council District 6 special election, to be held on Feb. 5. I have known Carol for many years, and she is easily the most qualified candidate for this position.
Carol has been a leader in many civic endeavors over the years. There is not room to name them all, but they include director positions at the YMCA, Moccasin Bend Girl Scout Council and Joseph Johnson Mental Health Center. Carol Berz is the 2004 recipient of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce Athena Award, and a 1995 graduate of Leadership America in Washington, D.C. Carol is a graduate of the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School 2005 and 2006 forums.
When considering civic achievements and a successful business career, it is obvious that Carol Berz would hit the ground running on the City Council. But perhaps her best qualification is her passionate belief in personal accountability in government.
It would be easy to overlook this local special election. I urge you to exercise your right to choose your councilperson in District 6, as this is a position that probably affects you on a day-to-day basis more than any other elected position. From issues of responsible zoning, taxes, supporting local business, planning for city growth, and supporting Chattanooga’s youth, these issues affect all of us. The community deserves someone with Carol’s vast knowledge base and integrity.
I say these things confidently because of my personal knowledge of Carol over the years. I am so pleased that she is offering to become a public servant in the truest meaning of the word.
Please give your support to Carol Berz either in early voting, Jan. 16-31, or on Feb. 5.
Mary G. Gardenhire
mary.gardenhire@comcast.net