Can there be anything more pathetic than a midsize city electing a mayoral candidate that has no platform? Am I the only person who is offended by a candidate, that has raised more than $700,000 in campaign contributions and is still sending out emails begging for $10-$25 donations?  

Andy Berke has touted a renew Chattanooga mantra long enough. If he really wants to renew Chattanooga, this Democratic chief should prove he means it by donating his campaign chest to the city of Chattanooga to pay down the city’s debt.

Andy Berke says he wants to renew Chattanooga. What does that mean? It’s a surprise, because he has shared no specifics.  Does anyone remember the fairy tale about the emperor’s clothes? Everyone in the town praised the emperor for his beautiful clothes because they didn’t want to offend him. The emperor had great power, much like this money favored mayoral candidate. One day the emperor paraded through the kingdom and out of the mouth of babes, a young boy on the street cried out “The Emperor has no clothes!” Suddenly everyone above the age of 10 understood the problem. While everyone is fawning over the strength of Berke’s, campaign, we need a few children to step forward to remind us that his campaign is substantiated by nothing more than money. There are no ideas and no details. He thinks that platitudes about coming together and renewing the city will get him elected. The sleeping masses of Chattanooga should demand more information from the candidate before voting. Would those of you who are blindly supporting the emperor please stop donating? This well healed plaintiff’s attorney does not need your money.

Here is why I am voting for the underdog, Guy Satterfield. 

1.       He has a meaningful platform.
2.       His platform shows he has common sense.
3.       His platform is detailed.
4.       His positions are clear.
5.       He has self-funded his campaign. Therefore he will not owe the political machine and Lookout Mountain any favors.
6.       He understands the major problems that the city and its residents face. He is not afraid to explain and discuss them.

Vote for the guy who respects your intelligence and is honest enough to share his platform--à Guy Satterfield. 

Chattanooga 

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John Peirce has it right in using the term 'Emperor' in his letter. Berke seems like a young prince waiting for the old king to die so he may proceed with his reign. Now I don't know Mr. Berke, and using that gentle Southern term; I have no dog in this fight. 

However, it does irks the heck out of me seeing the condescending attitude of the mayor 'apparent' towards the electorate. I cannot vote in the upcoming election but, just as in all elections in this closely woven community, it will affect me. With Mr. Berke I think we will get more of the same as our current mayor of the city. What Chattanooga needs is someone who can solve problems and lead, not reign over the city. 

So, I won't suggest whom anyone votes for, just vote for anyone else. Write in a name, any name, as a mild form of ever so gentle protest, but vote for anyone other than Mr. Berke. 

Harry Uffalussy 

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I usually do not participate in this forum to defend a Democrat. However with the recent publicity of Andy Berke's father and uncle owning property in less desirable neighborhoods I do not believe this would prohibit him from being an effective mayor. As long as any development makes economic sense for the city I have no quarrel with who makes a profit out of it. Now obviously if "Mayor," Berke proposed a ,"bridge to nowhere," as Don Young did in Alaska I would have a problem with it. 

I have only met Andy a few times, but he impresses me as a hard working, conscientious person who would continue the incredible Renaissance of Chattanooga. He is smart enough to work well with the over-whelming Republican majority in the State Legislature and a Republican governor, continuing the bi-partisan tradition of Governor Bredesen and Senator Corker. 

I must admit though my partisan side finds it somewhat amusing that a couple of wealthy trial lawyers, one of the most loyal constituencies of the Democrats, own run-down properties in a drug-infested neighborhood. And all this time I thought only rich Republicans were slum lords. 

Douglas Jones
North Chattanooga 

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While none of the current crop of Chattanooga mayoral candidates have proposed a "bridge to nowhere" at least one is making noise about his eagerness to get perpetual-drain-on-the-budget CARTA rolling "out where the bus doesn't run."  You can read all about it here: http://chattanoogan.com/2012/11/12/238438/Mayor-Candidate-Berke-Says-He-Will-Work.aspx .  

If you like the "government will give you everything" proto-socialist approach of community organizer Barack Hussein Obama, you're going to love you some "do it in the name of diversity" Andy Berke.  Don't forget to vote. 

Robert T. Nash 

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I, too, am disgusted with Andy Berke’s war chest- much of it was received by out of state donors, or out of Chattanooga, as well as various special interests. We all know how that works. Look at the current mayor… enough said.  I for one, am not looking for Littlefield “light.”  We’ve had enough shenanigans in the mayor’s office, enough “favors” provided and money given to special interests, and not enough done for the hard working, tax paying citizens. Why would anyone vote for another such administration?  

This city is a great one. Why should we keep letting big money win?  Look at the Obama machine-and look where the country is headed because of it. Do we really want that mess here locally? I sure don’t.  I don’t trust any candidate who accepts donations and then owed favors. And you can’t tell me this isn’t the case. It certainly is.  

I for one, will vote for Guy Satterfield.  I like his platform, and his character.  I also like the fact he will owe no favors to any special interest groups, but will work hard for all of citizens here in Chattanooga.  We have a lot of work to do here. Let’s vote in the man who can get it done and show the “deep pockets” where they can put their big money. 

On the same note, I am totally backing Larry Grohn for City Council. We need to get rid of the “rubber stamp” council and get people who have our interests at heart. Larry does. Let’s get some new blood on the City Council. 

Debbie Davis-Peck
Chattanooga

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I'm a registered Democrat, be it offensive to some or not, but I will vote for anyone other than Andy Berke.

Write in your dog's name, Mickey Mouse, etc., but don't let the continued Littlefield "light" regime continue. Say no to Andy.

Rusty Munger 

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I have never heard so much from a bunch of cry babies in Chattanooga, crying about Andy Berke having some money to run his election on and the other candidates don't have a dime to their name but they want to be mayor also. I think what you people want is another Republican to be in office. The last Republican mayor you had took Chattanooga to the cleaners while he was in office is what I hear and I don't remember everyone giving him down the road because he had money. 

During the civil war Atlanta was burned to the ground and Chattanooga wasn't hardly touched, look at Atlanta today, you don't know where it starts and where it ends, but look at Chattanooga today, about the same size and you can drive from one city limit sign in Lookout Valley to the I-24, I-75 split in around 10 minutes. This shows you that Chattanooga has no growth to speak of, this must be because of the leadership Chattanooga has had in over 100 years. 

If you want any other candidate to be in the mayor's chair I suggest putting your money where your mouth is and give to the candidate of your choice so that they will have some money to run their election on and volunteer to go door to door for your candidate and convince the everyday voter to vote for your candidate. Elections are not won with money, they are won in the voting booth. Look at Mitt Romney, he had more money than god allows and he lost big time. 

Give Andy Berke a chance to be mayor, he seems like a very nice person and he has saved his money so he has something good going for him, maybe he can save Chattanooga some money and get something going for the positive, like create some new jobs, some good paying jobs and bring Chattanooga back to life again. 

Gary Dixon