I am generally frustrated in the lack of information regarding the cluttered field of candidates. But, if I had to choose today (as opposed to tomorrow) I would pick Jeff and not Rico. I was reading the paper yesterday and remarks by Rico just sounded so defeatist that it really turned me off (of course it could have been the tone of the writer).
What is going to be interesting is if there has to be a run off because there are too many candidates who split the votes. If there is a run off, I hope that there is more information to be found regarding the candidates. (Of course I may not have been looking hard enough or missed it somewhere.)

What about Pete Drew? That's who I'm voting for. He has a tremendous amount of experience, having served many years in politics at the state level. He has strong support from African American and white leaders alike. He will hit the ground running.

hmm, good question. I dont know much about him, and that's the first good thing I've heard.

how could you not vote for someone called "Manuel Rico"??

Voting for Manuel is our best shot at getting a St. Elmo based councilman, which is really important. If I wasn't being pragmatic about it, I'd probably go for Pete Drew...

well rico, peterson, and drew all live in st. elmo, as far as I know.

Ya, but Rico is the only one that folks thing have a shot at winning. St. Elmo's problem has always been that it splits its vote.

right. whatever happened to Lang anyway?

AHHHHHH Not Pete Drew! I have my reasons, don't want to debate about it here, but not Pete Drew.

while I respect your desire to avoid a debate in this space, you cant just say "not him!" I need at least one reason. not that I'm planning on voting for him, but still...

I may not like some of Pete Drew's mannerisms (heck I don't like most of mine) but I'm far from going AHHHHHH. Of the candidates listed Pete gained some respect because he took the Chamber survey seriously. Jeff, probably a good guy, but didn't bother to let us know what his positions were. When this is one of the few vehicles for folks to learn about who's running, it made me hesitent to take Jeff seriously. Of the rest, I must confess that I am completely ignorant what their platforms are.

Oh, I do say AHHHH because I cringe when I see his name, his signs in people's yards, and when he tries to communicate with me. I don't think he would be a good councilman because of his involvement with the old St. Elmo Rec center issue. Not because of the side of it that he was on, but because of the way he tried to impede the process or ignore the process that was adopted by the city. I want my city councilman to work with the people for all sides... not decide that some process isn't for him and then try to hold it up. I will even be as bold to say that I would rather have John Taylor back instead of Pete Drew. (Please don't throw things at me.)
And where is this survey that I can look at?

And, sorry Bob, that I just left it at "I don't want to debate it here" because I really, really suck at debating and confrontation.
Guess who wins most of the arguments at my house? Two guesses and if the first one is me, then you are wrong, guess again.

go to chattanoogachamber.com and the link is at the bottom right. peterson got his survey in apparently. points off for being late.

If you vote for Pedro, all your dreams will come true...

. . . all your wildest dreams. . .

No matter who wins the election in Chattanooga, they have to play "Canned Heat" by Jamiroquai after the winner's acceptance speech...