Chip Henderson To Seek Re-Election To City Council District 1 Seat

  • Wednesday, September 28, 2016

City Councilman Chip Henderson announced he plans to seek re-election in 2017 for his seat representing the city’s 1st District, which encompasses the Lookout Valley, Moccasin Bend, Mountain Creek and portions of the North Chattanooga and Hixson areas.

He said he wants to push for more accountability and transparency in city government, advocate for fiscal restraint and fight to improve funding of critical city services, such as public works, public safety and workforce development.

Councilman Henderson said, "It has been an honor and pleasure serving the residents of the 1st District.

During the past three years, I have worked with District 1 residents and others across the city to make meaningful changes and significant improvements to city government.

“While we have made great strides in making Chattanooga a better place to live, work and raise a family, there is much more to be accomplished. This is why I've decided to run for re-election so I can continue to advocate for the needs of District 1 residents while pushing for policies that will ensure our city has a positive outlook for years to come.”

Since taking office in 2013, Councilman Henderson said he has led efforts to improve the accountability and efficiency of city government and fund needed programs for its residents. Some of his accomplishments he listed include:

· Increasing the budget for the maintenance and paving of city roads.  Since taking office, he has worked to increase the city’s paving and road maintenance budget from $1.7 million in 2013 to $3.5 million in the current budget.

· Funding of several major paving projects across District 1, including Browns Ferry Rd., West View Road and portions of Boy Scout Road.

· Securing funds for major facility improvements at the Youth and Family Development Centers in District 1 – the John A. Patton Center and North Chattanooga Center.

· Worked with Hamilton County Mentors 4 Vets to establish a Veterans Treatment Court.

· Partnered with Southeast Tennessee Veterans Coalition to create the Chattanooga Unite Veterans Resource Center, which provides transitional housing, on-site counseling and other needed services to veterans and their families.

· Served on Mayor Berke's task force to end homelessness among veterans. To date, this critical program has helped 213 veterans find affordable housing options.

· Worked with the Miracle League of Chattanooga to secure property at Warner Park for the new Miracle Field and Playground, a place where children with all different abilities can find specialized recreational opportunities that are designed to accommodate their needs.

"Over the past four years, I have worked hard to bring a strong fiscal conservative approach the city government and have advocated for additional funds to increase our public safety efforts that will help make our neighborhoods safer, address long-overdue maintenance of our streets and create needed programs to support veterans who need our help,” he said.

Concurrent with his service on the City Council, Councilman Henderson also manages a successful construction business, Henderson Construction Company, where he has been the owner for more than 25 years. His announcement said his "daily presence at his business gives him the unique opportunity to interact with local residents and visitors to District 1, and gives him a valuable small business perspective that he brings to his public service."

Going forward, Councilman Henderson said he hopes to focus his efforts on the following issues during the next four years:

· Work with business and educational leaders to establish a workforce development program that enables adults and youth to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for careers that are in demand today and into the future.

· Encourage more economic development in our city by supporting programs that support small businesses and help them grow so they can create new jobs in our city. 

· Work with the mayor and police chief to identify new programs and services that will help address the growing presence of gangs in our city and stop the spread of violence in our neighborhoods.

· Focus on ways to make city government more efficient with taxpayer funds so we can improve funding for critical city services, such as paving our streets, public transportation and public safety, while still holding the line on taxes.

Councilman Henderson lives in the Lookout Valley area of Chattanooga with his wife, Deanne, for nearly 35 years where they have raised three children.  He is actively involved in his church, Temple Baptist Church, where he serves as the Children's Chapel Director. In addition, he serves on the Executive Board for the Transportation Participating Organization (TPO) and chairs the city council’s Public Safety Committee.

The city of Chattanooga election is scheduled for March 7, 2017.
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