State Senator Andy Berke is set to kick off his re-election campaign with a rally at the Bessie Smith Hall in downtown Chattanooga this evening. Senator Berke agreed to an interview with Chattarati, and our editors asked him about everything from his proudest achievements to how he takes his barbecue. We also discovered what he's burning to understand about the new VW plant at Enterprise South and just how many homes he owns.
Chattarati: What are you most proud of thus far in your term?
Andy Berke: We accomplished a number of good things during this Session. I sponsored a bill to put $10 million of lottery funds into grants for our neediest college students, and that passed as part of our big lottery bill this year. It was also good to focus on water, even though that opportunity emerged because of Georgia’s ridiculous attempt to change the state line. In addition, I campaigned on providing in-home health care, so it was particularly satisfying to have cosponsored the Long-Term Care Community Choices Act, which expanded options at no additional cost to the taxpayer.
Sometimes, though, you can be proudest of the quiet things that you fight and do not make the paper. In this time of mounting foreclosures, there was nevertheless an effort to lower the number of notices a person would receive before foreclosure. I was proud to stand up for my constituents against the special interests.
C: Can you tell us a bit about your efforts to connect with your constituents through social networking platforms such as Facebook and Twitter?
AB: Well, first of all, Facebook and Twitter are just fun. I like seeing what everyone is doing, and I feel the pressure of putting something interesting out there for my friends. Second, though, I do believe that these platforms serve an important purpose. Any way that makes it easier for people to get in touch with me or see what I am doing is beneficial. I try to post news on my Website, www.andyberke.com, and we are looking at ways to make it more interactive. As for Facebook, I believe it will become more and more central to communicating both from me and from the constituents.
Editor's note: If you aren't following Sen. Berke on Twitter, you should be. Is it politically unbiased to say he's hilarious? C: If re-elected, what would be your most pressing goals?
AB: Our country is ready for change. Whether it is providing every child with an excellent education, increasing access to health care, or expanding our energy sources, many of us feel that our country has squandered opportunities. On the local level, we certainly have had it somewhat better than elsewhere. I will continue to fight to put 90 percent of our education dollars in the classroom; to put quality teachers in every classroom; to open up new avenues of economic development; and to find innovative solutions to our crime problem.
C: As a resident of Chattanooga, how would you personally like to see the city improve?
AB: We live in a great city. Every day, I count my blessings that I am charged with representing such diverse people on magnificent land. With Volkswagen coming, we have a tremendous chance to move forward even farther. We need to use this chance to focus on our area schools. With leadership like we have seen with the Benwood initiative, we can improve our test scores and enhance our kids’ lives. We need to continue to spread our best ideas around the district. As gas prices hover between $3.50 and $4, we should continue to search for local ways to encourage mass transit. Whether it is high speed rail or park and rides from the west side of town to Enterprise South, we must look for innovative ways to transport people in a sensible, environmentally-sensitive way. We must continue to examine our crime problem. Crime is extremely personal; I am always amazed that people think about it but don’t want to talk about it. If we give people the hope and opportunity to participate in society, that’s our best solution. But when that fails, we need to ensure that we react appropriately.
C: What would you like to see in the city's next mayor, if Mayor Littlefield were not re-elected?
AB: Let’s take the personalities out of it, and I will tell you what I think we should demand of our public officials: hard work; openness to constituents; a willingness to tackle problems; a person who remembers those who need help the most; and someone with the humility to understand that he or she doesn’t have all the answers, and what’s more important is being able to track down a person who has specific knowledge. That’s what I demand of my elected representatives, and what I expect people to demand of me.
C: Do you look forward to the Times Free Press' planned exposé on each individual nut and bolt at the new VW plant, the individual history of each nut and bolt, and how each individual nut and bolt arrived in Chattanooga?
AB: The origin stories of nuts and bolts are just so shallow. I want to know how each individual nut and bolt feels; I am burning to understand what nuts and bolts think of being part of the automotive industrial complex.
C: Gov. Bredesen has characterized a spate of unauthorized background searches by a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer as those of a "nosy" individual. Do you agree with that assessment, or do you feel that there was a political motive behind the searches?
AB: I don’t know the answer to that question, but we need to find out. No one should abuse their power by digging into individual’s background without a legitimate purpose. Whatever the motivation, we need to find out who is behind these acts and punish them. I believe that is what Governor Bredesen is working on now.
Editor's note: Tennessee Highway Patrol Lieutenant Ronnie Shirley was served notice of termination on September 3, 2008. The THP denied any political motive to the unauthorized background checks. For more on this story, see Post Politics. C: Would you support an effort to approach the next redistricting round with nonpartisan goals? As in, undo a lot of the gerrymandering that has created the current district boundaries?
AB: After 2010, the General Assembly will work on drawing new districts for the Legislature and the Congressional districts. Obviously, I have never gone through the process before, but I look forward to ensuring that the districts are drawn in a way that ensures the best representation for the people of Tennessee.
C: At your campaign event tonight, will you be taking your BBQ sandwich with or without slaw?
AB: No mayo – ever. I am a mayo-free (and therefore slaw-free) zone.
C: For the record, how many homes do you own?
AB: I can’t remember. No, wait, that’s John McCain. One.
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