More than 150 were in attendance at the Women of District 2 event in support of City Council candidate Jerry Mitchell on Tuesday night, campaign officials said.
The event was held at Outdoor Chattanooga, in Coolidge Park, "notable as just one of several public parks Mitchell helped to create during his time as director of Parks and Recreation for Chattanooga."
During the two-hour event, Mr. Mitchell spoke individually with attendees on their concerns and community issues as well as addressing the group as a whole and taking questions.
“Vision is the opportunity to do something important,” said Mr. Mitchell. “We have a vision here in Chattanooga and District 2, the vision to see Chattanooga become the best city in America. And we’re not far away.”
Mr. Mitchell detailed the four areas that he said make any community better: public education, public safely, entrepreneurship and a more responsive, efficient city government. In reflecting on what leaders can do to foster entrepreneurial spirit, Mitchell advised to “nurture it, attract it and then stay out of the way.”
Mr. Mitchell went on to address concerns over public schools, encouraging leaders and the community to be “advocates and take a chance on public schools.”
“Jerry is a visionary, a problem-solver and a collaborator,” said Mary Kilbride, the event’s committee chair. “Those are the essential qualities for any City Council contender.”
Mr. Mitchell also vowed to "continue to run a positive campaign" and encouraged his supporters to remain positive as well, noting, “the only way to achieve success is by working together.”
Early voting starts today, Wednesday, Feb. 13. The election is March 5.