As a retired deputy chief of the Chattanooga Police Department who served the Brainerd/East Branerd area as a lieutenant, captain and deputy chief prior to Jack Benson teaming up with Ron, Rico, Sally and others that relied on me for safety and security issues for years to force my retirement, which the city paid for, I urge the voters in the district to retire Jack and select someone new to fulfill the dreams of quality representation for the district.
Jack and my dad were friends and co-workers in the school system. I know his family and still consider his children as friends. However, I truly believe that he has outlasted his time. His full puppet support of Ron Littlefield for years has undermined the process of moving this district and city forward.
Let Jack go with Ron - the city will be better off, trust me.
Charles Cooke
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Jack's been in office 12 years now and it's time for him to go. I truly believe that this citizen council should have a two-term limit. The incumbent Benson should not return to City Council.
For one thing, his zoning policies are not always the best ones for this neighborhood. I'm speaking of the Igou Gap area. No one knows how he keeps things from us except those of us who live here in this neighborhood. Just lately Jack has let a motel go up on Skyline Drive going against the Hamilton Mall plan that he so aptly defends without one word to any of us in this neighborhood. Not only did he allow the hotel but worse he allowed a new emergency room to be put in at Erlanger East and, if you live in this neighborhood we will now have to listen to even more emergency vehicles coming and going blasting their sirens at all hours of the day and night.
The crime in our neighborhood is excessive. Police chasing criminals through our yards is commonplace along with break ins in our homes. I personally have asked Jack if he knew of any new plans to build any new businesses around us. He would tell me no and never let anyone in this neighborhood know anything unless it was a business he didn't want like the IHOP.
I've lived in this neighborhood for 19 years and I can't count the times Jack Benson has gone against the Hamilton Mall plan. He let our road practically cave in until they finally at least repaved it a couple months ago which was only a bandaid because it really needed widening too. Anyone who travels it daily knows this and knows you're likely to end up in a ditch trying to avoid a collision with another vehicle.
Another four years of Jack Benson I don't think so.. My vote will go to Larry Grohn.
Susan Nicholas