Mark Holland announces candidacy for District 6 council seat
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Another candidate has thrown his hat into the ring for the open District 6 seat on the Chattanooga City Council.
Mark Holland says he grew up and has lived in the Brainerd area for decades.
Holland said , “Those of us who grew up in the 1980s knew the Brainerd area was the place to be. It was so exciting, everyone wanted to be in Brainerd.”
He helped launch the Kitchen Incubator, an organization that helps aspiring restaurant owners launch their businesses.
He has also been on the Midtown Connect board, who was created by the late councilwoman Carol Berz, whose mission it is to promote development in the Brainerd area.
He says the revitalization of its commercial district is a top priority.
Holland said, “Right now we’re incubating businesses. We do startups here at the Kitchen Incubator. We’re looking at where those businesses are going. Why are they all wanting to go downtown? Why can’t we create something here in District 6 to keep the businesses going?”
Holland will be running against five other candidates who are vying for the open seat since the passing of Councilwoman Berz.
This includes her daughter, Jenni Berz, who announced she was running a week after her mother’s passing.
Berz said during that announcement, “She’s given us the tools, she’s given me the ability, the confidence, she’s given me the structure, she’s taught me the ability to learn to be able throw myself into this legacy that she was created.”
Holland shared how he would work to further Councilwoman Berz’s legacy at City Hall, working closely with her on Kitchen Incubator and Midtown Connect.
Holland said, “I want to make sure we are continuing bringing people together, business owners, so everyone in this district is not just heard as a personal voter, but that business owners or developers know that this is a friendly area to succeed, and that we will continue the momentum that she created.”
Holland is running against, Jennifer Gregory, Christian Siler, and Jenni Berz.
All candidates have a two month sprint to Election Day for Chattanooga, which is March 4.
