Roy Exum
David Sharpe, a liberal Hamilton County Commissioner, may have thought he was doing his pal Tim Kelly a big favor by endorsing him as his favorite in the March election for Chattanooga’s next Mayor. Instead, it’s an odds-on bet Sharpe may have cost Kelly dearly; the controversial Sharpe unwittingly fortified the belief that Tim is just like the outgoing Andy Berke. Lord knows, that’s the worst thing imaginable for this badly stalled city.
Sharpe is part of a detrimental trio of liberal types on the nine-member Hamilton County Commission that is as divided from reality as the dwellers of the Washington “swamp.” No matter what type of topic is raised on the county leaderboard, this with the exception of giving themselves a pay raise, every vote will be a predictable 6-3 decision.
Based on party lines, the divide is not only in the worst interests of the county taxpayers, but it will also play a role in the 2022 election where not one voter picks a group instead of an individual.
Sharpe, along with Warren Mackey and Katherlyn Geter, dream if they don't think like most of those in Hamilton County do. Worse, it is believed that the same Democratic leanings that have made Berke’s eight years as Mayor the most unpleasant in my memory, are shared by a huge majority of the “also runnings” who now clutter the 15-person ballot for the city’s March 2 election.
Of the candidates, Kelly has emerged as the biggest disappointment, leaving the clear-headed Kim White as the overwhelming choice to bring sanity back to City Hall. Several months ago, Tim assured me he was nothing like Berke when calmer voices warned that Kelly is a classic RINO (‘Republican/conservative in name only’). Then the bright lights came on when he hired Brent Goldberg, who had been Berke’s Chief of Staff before leaving to accept a cushy job in the Hamilton County Department of Education’s tangled thicket.
With Chattanooga’s business and community leaders devoted solidly to White, the city’s heavily conservative base is also deliriously happy she will shake the city free of being known among “The Worst Run Cities in the United States” and “The Most Dangerous Cities in the United States.” If you will go down either “The Worst Run” or “Most Dangerous” list, prepare to be stunned by the fact the cities listed are almost all controlled by Democratic leadership. I want someone to tell me why party affiliation has anything to do with arresting criminals or doing what is best for all the taxpayers?
The horrible “Defund the Police” idea, and the ‘Black Lives Matter’ money-grab seemed to thrive exclusively in Democratic-controlled cities, yet if you glance at the list of Chattanooga’s mayoral candidates, Kim doesn’t exactly need a sofa to sit with other candidates of like mind. Forget silly polls, palm readers, or political science professors -- I wouldn’t be surprised if Kim White doesn’t win so convincingly there will be no run-off.
The Chattanooga newspaper has endorsed Monty Bruell on the left side of the editorial pages and White on the right, which was another blow to Kelly. Tim fronted his campaign with over a million in cash … using the tired line of ‘I don’t want to be beholden to anybody’ … when the better (and more telling) reason is that his fund-raising ability has been lacking.
It is believed that behind White and Kelly in the early voting are businessman Bruell and former Berke aide Wade Hinton. Neither has a chance with the election now two weeks away. Bruell, relatively an unknown in Chattanooga’s political circles, has no staying power -- to use a baseball term -- because he is severely underfunded. His name recognition is so bad most voters cannot pronounce it, and some blacks are turned off by his Ivy League airs.
Then there is Hinton, who displayed his racism when he enabled the city to no longer mow the historic Confederate cemetery on Third Street. Forget for a moment there are blacks, whites, soldiers from either side and a nationwide reverence for the dead.
Please: see this! We are poised at the gates of greatness and while the most intensive change will be the mayor, look at who we hope to join our new leader in harness and tack. Oh, my mercy!
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THE IDEAL CITY COUNCIL RESULTS
District 1 – Chip Henderson is running for re-election unopposed, which means he returns with a wealth of knowledge and experience. I see him as a voice of reason, as a team player, and his counsel to an incoming mayor is substantial.
DISTRICT 2 – This is one of the most important votes, because outgoing Jerry Mitchell with be missed. Thomas Lee is the one most people want and one of his opponents, Jenny Hill, is the one most people don’t want. Jenny is a liberal on the school board, which has been troublesome, and like Hill, a third candidate is Tim Gorman who is also a left thinker. Jenny’s greed hurt her badly, her wanting to stay on the school board as well if elected to the City Council,, and she will be heavily targeted in the next school board vote. The fact Lee is such a prize has been somewhat overlooked and his fresh ideas will be good for the city.
DISTRICT 3 – Ken Smith’s election is – again – a common sense decision. He’s already served two terms so admirably some hoped he would run for mayor so he should win overwhelming. His opponent, Rachael Torrence, is defiant about not wearing face masks during this COVID pandemic. Next, please.
DISTRICT 4 – Darrin Ledford is a 5-star pick. He’s running for a second term on the City Council but, selfishly, I want him to study the state legislature or ousting “Do Nothing Chuck” Fleischmann from Congress. Darrin is a “doer” and is a key in Chattanooga’s future.
DISTRICT 5: This is a coin toss because of the five unknowns running. The shaky thinking is Cynthia Stanley-Cash over Dennis Clark but this is one of those weird races where the voters in Brainerd and Highway 58 must direct traffic.
DISTRICT 6 – To no surprise, only a fool would dare challenge this incumbent so she is running unopposed. Carol Berz, who is not only a five star but a walking encyclopedia, is a role model for politicians and is far and away one of my most respected and admired servants of the people. Do you see what I mean; teamwork is everything and Carol, trust me, is the play caller.
DISTRICT 7 – The city got a huge gift when Ken Hays threw his hat in the ring as a replacement for the talented Erskine Oglesby, who is running for Mayor. Ken had devoted his life to applying politics as the solution versus the problem. Further, Hays still runs in former Mayor Jon Kinsey’s crowd, where Jerry Mitchell is liable to be seen. His return to the political conversation is akin to Tampa Bay landing Tom Brady. Just watch.
DISTRICT 8 -- Anthony Bird is back for a second time and is head and shoulders over challengers D’Andre Anderson, age 21, and noted rabble-rouser Marie Mott, who likens herself as an “activist” when video tapes yield a far-different look at the city’s No. 1 troublemaker.
DISTRICT 9 -- I’ll admit I was leery of Demetrus Coonrod, given her rawhide past, but I have grown to like her immensely. I love the way she ‘cuts to the chase,’ you ain’t gonna’ fool this one. Better, Demetrus can spot a phony or a money-grabber from over a mile away and her “street smart” is eerie.
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So, this is my take. Give us Kim White as Mayor, and then fill the batting order with Henderson, Lee, Smith, Ledford, Stanley-Cash, Berz, Hays, Byrd and Coonrod. I don’t care where we play, our field or yours, because this collection will be one of the best ever suited-up in Chattanooga. Just you bring it. Tell you what: I’ll let you pitch Koufax, put the ’29 Yankees’ “Murder’s Row” in the batting order, and give you Knucksey Niekro and Tom Glavine in relief. Is that a dream or what?
Careful! Chattanooga’s crowd will beat any city’s brains out. ‘The Dynamo of Dixie’ is returning to Title Town. Just you watch.
royexum@aol.com