Andy Berke

New & Notable

Chattanooga Mayor Berke Rolls Out Initial Phase Of Public Safety Plan

Posted by chattanoogan.com on 17-May-2013

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke shared details on Friday on the initial components of his comprehensive public safety plan, designed to reduce crime in Chattanooga. After a public safety forum in March and numerous meetings with community members on related issues, Mayor Berke and his team spent several weeks developing a strategy to reduce crime in the city.

“Public safety is my number one priority,” said Mayor Berke. “We must reduce crime and make our streets safer. And we will do that by implementing innovative initiatives and new approaches that have proven to be successful in other cities. We have looked at these tactics and incorporated them into the development of a comprehensive public safety plan, designed to make Chattanooga safer.”

Mayor Berke announced Friday that his team is ready to begin to implement the first three components of his plan and that he has asked Bobby Dodd to continue serving as Chief of Police. “I have had numerous conversations with Chief Dodd over the last several weeks,” said Mayor Berke. “I appreciate his dedication and experience in law enforcement and have asked him to continue to serve as Chief of Police.”

Donna Williams to lead city’s economic and community developments efforts

Posted by http://www.timesfreepress.com/ on 15-May-2013

Mayor Andy Berke named a member of his transition team and a former developer, realtor, volunteer and saleswoman to be director of the Department of Economic and Community Development.

Donna Williams, executive director of Habitat for Humanity, will lead the city’s efforts to strengthen neighborhoods and boost economic opportunities across the city.

“As a city, we will connect community with economic development to provide new opportunities,” said Mayor Berke in a news release. “Donna is the right person to lead this effort. She has extensive experience in our community, both in real estate and neighborhood revitalization.

“She has the passion and leadership to help implement my vision for economic and community development, one in which we strengthen our neighborhoods and make sure every part of Chattanooga has the opportunity to grow.”

Williams joins other directors Berke recently appointed to his revamped City Hall organization: Lurone Jennings, who is Youth and Family Development administrator; Blythe Bailey, who is administrators of the Department of Transportation; and James McKissic, who is director the Office of Multicultural Affairs. In addition, Berke also has named Lee Norris as administrator of the Public Works Department and Ron Swafford as the City Court clerk.

Faith leaders discuss youth development with Mayor Andy Berke

Posted by nooga.com on 09-May-2013

Over coffee and pastries Thursday morning, a dozen clergymen representing different congregations across Chattanooga met with Mayor Andy Berke and new members of his administration at City Hall.

The meeting had no agenda and was called to discuss challenges facing the city's youth and how they might be addressed in an empowering way.

In a boardroom adjacent to Berke's third-floor office, participants gathered around a large table. Seated next to the mayor at the head of the table was Lurone Jennings, Berke's newly appointed administrator for the Department of Youth and Family Development.

"Youth is the greatest investment we can make," Berke said before opening the floor to comment. "I will do my part, but I need everyone else to do theirs."

Over an hour, the group discussed topics such as early childhood education, the best use of public recreation centers, how to counter cyberbullying, public safety, and economic opportunities that could be harnessed through education and retaining skilled students.

On several occasions, the group's conversation returned to the topic of fostering character development in youth.

Mayor Berke Names Three to City Leadership Positions

Posted by Mayor Berke on 27-Apr-2013

Today, Mayor Berke announced three individuals who will join his team. Lurone Jennings will lead Youth and Family Development, Blythe Bailey will lead Transportation, and James McKissic will lead the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Mayor Berke made his announcement as he and his staff, including the three new members, toured The Bethlehem Center in Alton Park.

“We are putting the best people in place to make a real difference for our citizens,” said Mayor Berke. “I know they will wake up every day, thinking about how to work together to address the issues that matter most to our community while providing effective and efficient services at the best value for our citizens.”

Mayor Berke went on to explain how each individual’s experience and leadership will work together to implement his vision for Chattanooga.

“As Administrator of Youth and Family Development, Lurone brings decades of experience and he understands the importance of young people having the opportunities to grow and achieve,” said Mayor Berke. “He has done tremendous work throughout his career and I know he will make my vision for our youth become a reality.”

“Our city’s infrastructure provides a connection between successful businesses and healthy, safe neighborhoods. Whether traveling by car, bike, bus or foot, transportation connects us to each other and to our community,” said Mayor Berke. “As Administrator of Transportation, Blythe understands that people on the west side of town can only have opportunities on the east side if our city’s transportation needs are met.”

“As Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, James will make sure that our city is an inclusive community where opportunities exist for everyone. He will look at the functions of this office with new eyes and ensure the best services to our community,” said Mayor Berke.

On Tuesday, Chattanooga’s City Council unanimously voted to approve Berke’s plan to reorient the structure of city government to focus on the issues that matter most to the community.