I enjoyed the SETPAC forum of the mayoral candidates at the Choo Choo last night. Kevin West did a fantastic job. There clearly was one leader for the mayor’s race in this forum demonstrated by his pragmatic and fact based approach and knowledge, and of course that was Mayor Ron Littlefield.

At this point in time, that is very unstable economically, I would prefer a long time proven leader that understands the process and how our city can access federal dollars. There really is not time for a learning curve for the other candidate.

I support Ron Littlefield for these reasons. Thank you SETPAC for the open forum.

Allison Graham
aae1049@comcast.net

* * *

Ron Littlefield is a proven leader? Where? When? I would like any of his supporters to tell me exactly what Ron Littlefield has done to improve Chattanooga during his tenure. Be objective and factual. Do not tell me he is a person of character or any of that nonsense. What has he actually accomplished for the betterment of Chattanooga? After all, is that not what really counts?

Do not say he brought Volkswagen because the whole Enterprise South development was the brain-child of Bob Corker; Sen. Corker and Gov. Bredesen are the two people most responsible for VW building here, along with the Tennessee Department of Economic Development. Do I need to bring up that VW was less than thrilled about Littlefield using the VW logo on mass mailings without their permission? Yes, that is trademark infringement and yes, it is illegal. Could such a brazen, selfish act have been a deal-killer? Possibly but the fact that such a selfish act was committed that caused VW to respond with a very direct announcement that the company does not endorse any politician, ever, should also be somewhat of a message that even VW is pretty lukewarm on Ron Littlefield. An astute business person, which Littlefield is not, would have known that trademark infringement is not the best way to court a potential long-term employer.

I am not bashing Ron Littlefield personally as he may be a nice enough man although I was witness to him slandering Bob Corker like there was no tomorrow. Under Littlefield, taxes are up, various fees are up, crime is way up (just ask Judge Bob Moon), gang activity and graffiti is up (again, Judge Moon), retail sales growth around the vaunted Convention Center is well below that of surrounding areas, unemployment in Chattanooga is higher than the state average, and public schools are in a budgetary crisis. All the while, such fiscal irresponsibility as spending $200,000 for a pay scale study (as opposed to looking up such information on the Internet for free) has been a trademark of the office of Ron Littlefield. Do I even need to bring up the firm and resounding withdrawal of support by both the Chattanooga Firefighters and Service Workers Union, both of which supported Littlefield last time around?

Someone again please remind me of why anyone thinks Ron Littlefield has done a good job. The excuse of another candidate needing a learning curve is just that, nothing but a ridiculous excuse.

Since it is more than obvious to any objective person that Chattanooga has not benefited in the least by having Ron Littlefield as mayor, I am still scratching my head as to why or how anyone can believe that Littlefield is a "proven leader."

Joel Walker