I have some questions for Mayor Tim Kelly.
I believe you are a good man and have been a fairly successful mayor. You have navigated many issues seemingly well although the staff turnover worries me a little. In general I would give you a B without doing a ton of research on your record and polices.
For that reason and your office supposedly being non partisan was why I was surprised to learn that you attended the Democratic National Convention. I think I read that you were in Chicago anyway for a mayors conference. I think, “okay, he’s there anyway” and I forgot about it.
Then I read that you have endorsed the Harris Walz Campaign. This was surprising and the endorsement prompted a few questions in my simple mind.
The Border Patrol posits that 10.8 million encounters of people entering our country illegally have occurred under the Harris Biden administration. Does your support of the current democratic nominees mean you agree with the current administration’s border policy and should we expect an influx of border crossers in Chattanooga with your endorsement?
Second, Tim Walz. In Minnesota they have passed a law affirming gender altering care for all at taxpayer expense for any age patient from anywhere without the parents' consent. I know, I couldn’t believe it either. Do you advocate for this law in Minnesota and do you plan to push for similar legislation in our fine city of Chattanooga?
I admit, I do not understand the motivation of politics. Ego seems very high on the list. The ability to speak well and decent looks seems to help. Every now and then someone comes along with a selfless passion for all of their constituents, not just their party or their voters. It is rare in my view. The later trait seems the only way forward for our country from a severe partisan divide.
Final question: You seem to be doing pretty well politically. Why make an endorsement that is sure to alienate many Chattanoogans?
Hank McMahon
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Thanks for your questions and comments, Hank. For starters, I think your grade of B- is even handed and about what I would give myself at this point. I am not satisfied with that grade, but I am proud of the good progress we’re making and believe things are trending in the right direction on most fronts. We have a lot of work to do to bring Chattanooga to its full potential.
A former Pittsburgh mayor once noted that there are really three political parties in the United States: Republicans, Democrats, and Mayors. I’m a firm believer in this axiom, and it informs everything I do in my official capacity. A good mayor is a dedicated problem solver, someone who just looks at the evidence and resources at hand, and does what is best for a city’s residents, regardless of ideology. The political affiliations of my senior staff, the diversity of counsel we incorporate into policy decisions, and the heterogeneity of the solutions we’ve put forward are just a few of the countless reassurances that I am indeed a non-partisan mayor.
That doesn’t mean I don’t have personal opinions about national politics or which party’s body of policies would be most beneficial to our city, our state, or to our country. Your questions are valid, and I address each of them in what follows. Before reading on, though, I want to be clear: I certainly do not agree with all the positions of the Harris-Walz ticket. That said, the following are some of the considerations that inform my commentary on this election:
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In general, Democratic administrations tend to put a higher priority on investments in urban infrastructure, public transportation, and affordable housing compared to Republican administrations. I think that continuing these types of investments are in the best interest of cities, helping us address traffic congestion, our housing shortage, and our aging city infrastructure and positioning Chattanooga to thrive in the future.
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On immigration: Both parties acknowledge – and I agree – that we desperately need immigration reform. I do not support illegal immigration and believe that Harris can get reform done in a reasonable, bipartisan way, without demonizing immigrants and dividing Americans.
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As an American citizen, I join a whole host of other leaders- including many Republicans- who place a very high premium on good leadership qualities who simply do not think the other fellow is our best option for the next four years.
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Regarding the Walz law in Minnesota: I do not support any law affirming gender altering care for all at taxpayer expense for any age patient from anywhere without the parents' consent. But as a mayor, this issue is well outside the scope of my control, so it's not something I spend time worrying about. That's what our legislators are for.
I have close friends and political allies who disagree with me about these and other matters, and that is perfectly OK. I respect their perspective and opinions, and we are able to set differences aside in favor of what we have in common. So in terms of your remark about alienating some Chattanoogans, that’s the last thing I want to do. The beauty of this country is that we are all free to speak our minds, and we should. But we have to get better at disagreeing while still working together in good faith toward actual solutions for the common good, and I am fully committed to that goal.
Most importantly, know that I will continue to work with the right, the left, and everyone in between to do what is best for Chattanooga – no matter who wins in November.
Tim Kelly
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Dear Mr. Mayor:
While I wholeheartedly support your right to bear your own opinion and express them, you have to admit sir that your position also requires a certain responsibility to the citizens by whom you were elected and swore to "serve".
Inherent in that responsibility is the image of our city. It does us a disservice when you seemingly back an administration that is without a doubt the most progressive and anti-Christian we have ever known.
First, how do you possibly justify support for infrastructure expenditures that never fix anything. The money goes to "pet projects" and "green" industry that all too often results in a total waste of our tax dollars.
Second, how do you possibly think that à vice- president and her four year opportunity to fix something about immigration and the border has in fact accomplished nothing other than a worsening of our porous southern border which has now spread nationally to infect our entire democracy. You are aware that any solution she seeks includes a path to citizenship for illegals which is totally untenable.
With all the problems of our city, including rampant crime and failed municipal services and poor leadership, I would prefer that you focus your attention locally to fix all that's wrong here before devoting your previous time to national politics.
With all due respect as my momma would say, "Set your butt down and fix what's wrong with you first."
G. Don Howard
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I certainly hope for the future of the city of Chattanooga that a conservative individual with common sense and a backbone will enter the mayor's election for 2025. We have had 12 years where the main focus is on bicycle lanes, a new stadium (3 to 4 thousand average attendance) and empty pothole promises. Chattanooga has many issues that will take strong bold leadership to correct. Any takers?
Barry Reeves