MY FOCUS continues to be transparency and responsiveness in City government, safe sustainable neighborhoods, economic growth and stability, and programs that support our youth and families. Through public/private partnerships, I have overseen the renaissance of commerce, community organization, connectivity and the celebration of diversity in District 6.
With citizen involvement and input, a Master Redevelopment Plan was created when I was elected to serve District 6 that identified the characteristics of a great community. This plan has served as the guide for the progress that has taken place in District 6 and has served as a model for other districts.
Together with police officers, first responders, neighborhood associations and business owners, we are addressing the challenges of safety in our communities. We have had tremendous success with the Chattanooga Police Departments Neighborhood Policing Bureau. Our neighborhoods have had the opportunity to develop relationships with the officers who work in District 6 and work together to resolve the issues that impact their safety. Most recently, we have collaborated to address issues with panhandling and litter.
Water quality issues have been significant in District 6 and when the City was hit with major fines by the EPA, I worked with the public and private sector to formulate and implement plans that focused on repairing the problems to meet federal requirements while at the same time reducing the financial hardship. Many of the solutions have resulted in more green space for the District.
A former Chair of the Council, I currently serve as Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee. I am also proud to serve as founding member and Co-Chair of the Mayor’s Council For Women, where we work with women from across the City to advocate for the social and economic advancement of women in our community. Focus areas center around Empowerment, Health and Justice. It makes all of our lives better — including men — when women can grow wealth in our city, exchange bold community ideas and contribute to strengthening our families.
After several years of planning, the City of Chattanooga opened the doors to its state of the art Family Justice Center, a project I helped spear-head. I am so proud of the beautiful space we created to support the families and children in our city who are victims of sexual assault, human trafficking, elder abuse, and domestic violence. We have discovered, in the short time we have been opened, the impact the center has had not only with issues of violence but in times of community crisis.
