posted December 3, 2008
Andrae McGary has opened his campaign for the District 8 City Council seat now held by Leamon Pierce.
Mr. McGary said, "Twenty years ago a group of 12 brave Chattanoogans took a stand. They believed this city should be a place of equal representation, and a place where each vote counts. They envisioned a community where each person could be a key player in shaping the city's destiny. They were up not against a set of people, but a corrupt government structure that allowed 50 percent of the population to control 100 percent of the vote. They believed in the power of a governing body composed of elected city councils members. And they believed so much in this ideal that they took it to the United States District Court.
"And, after much toil and sacrifice, their efforts were rewarded. Their belief in their cause and their love for Chattanooga propelled them forward until their goal of equal representational government was fulfilled.
"That was 20 years ago. Today, District 8, we are recipients of that dream. Yet it is a dream unfulfilled. As far as we have come, there is more work to do.
"More work to do because we now face a different challenge, that of being left out of local politics by choice, not city charter. District 8 is home to nearly 9,000 registered voters, yet come election day, voter turnout is near 2,000. By not voting, we recreate the possibility for misrepresentation. We know all too well the effects of distant leaders who do not listen to the day-to-day pulse of their people.
"This attitude of malaise has characterized the last decade and a half of District 8 politics. Yet, off in the distance a shaft of light breaks through the darkness. I am glad to say today that we are on the eve of an economic and cultural renaissance here in Chattanooga. With the development of the Riverfront, the artistic initiative of Createhere, and the soon-to-come Volkswagen plant, Chattanooga in four years' time will be an entirely different city.
"But we cannot let this coming transformation be merely external. We must not limit the growth of Chattanooga to simply more jobs, fancier homes or even more VW beetles on the road. This transformation must also be coupled with a renewed energy. We are living between the times. And somewhere in the land between promise and fulfillment, we must look to forward thinking leaders who will roll up their sleeves and tackle the problems that plague us. It is in times like these we desire dedicated, principled leaders who will make sacrifices for the common good.
"But this mantle of responsibility does not fall on these leaders alone. We need to rally the innovative spirit of this district.
"We live in a city that is brimming with people who have said to the world, 'Look at what we can do together.' Less than 40 years ago Chattanooga was labeled as the dirtiest city in America. But that all changed when a small band of determined Chattanoogans heeded the call for action and put their minds to the task of cleaning up the scenic city. Today we see the fruit of their labor as Chattanooga has planted trees, manufactured electric cars, and developed a green initiative serving as a model for other cities.
We can only imagine what our scenic city would be like today if these same Chattanoogans had remained apathetic and disinterested in affairs of their city. Today, that same call for action falls upon us.
"There is a city out there, District 8, waiting to be built. There are youth to empower and elderly to cherish and learn from. Just beyond our reach there is a district where the immigrant and the native Chattanoogan lock arms in the common bond of neighborliness. Where communities are transformed from drug houses to community centers. A place of sidewalks, where trees and flowers are planted in gardens in greenways, and neighborhood banners fly free. A place where youngest to the oldest possess the basic skills of entrepreneurship and money management and are given the freedom and support to dream big dreams, to imagine how Chattanooga may be a place of yet greater cultural beauty.
"Yes, District 8, we have great opportunities but also great challenges before us. For this new day before us the commonly accepted rules do not apply. In this new day, Chattanooga doesn't need politicians who rely on name recognition alone to win votes. In this new day we must must have no place for empty promises made by pretentious politicians who have done nothing to date for their own communities, let alone yours and mine. And this day on we must say no to politicians who are only interested in protecting the interest of their closest or most affluent supporters. My friends and neighbors, in this new day, we do not need leaders who think the best of Chattanooga is behind us.
"Tonight, dear District 8, I do not speak to you from the platform of name recognition. Tonight I offer you no grand and empty promises. I not do not stand before you as a puppet of the rich nor a man nostalgic for the good 'ole days. Instead, I purpose to take a different route. I will be a candidate who will offer all of his intellect, skill, and influence to be a servant and student. Enough of candidates that know how to make enemies. I desire to make friends. I desire to be a candidate that will draw upon the collective imagination and strength of people by listening, bringing people together, and creating a path that does not rely on professional politicians but the people that have also made this city strong, the people of Chattanooga.
"I ask you tonight my friends to look around you. There are people here from Clifton Hills, Oak Grove, Highland Park, Ferger Place, Southside, MLK, and Fortwood. Tonight standing beside you is the future of this district and city. I only ask of you the opportunity to journey with all you as we build greater networks and utilize all the resources of this district. Let's solve our problems together.
"Let's come together and end the nightmare of homelessness, of too few police officers in the neediest neighborhoods, of absentee landlords, prostitution, drugs and gangs. It is time to dream bigger dreams, district eight.
"This campaign therefore is not about Andrae McGary, but what we can do together. It is about making district 8 and as a result Chattanooga safer, cleaner, stronger. It is about creating government that is more accountable and accessible, government that hears your voice every day, and will be your voice. If you will join me in making this a reality, I know that March 3 will be an occasion of celebration and the dawning of a new day in district 8. I ask you for your vote, to see what we can do together."
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