Written by Matt Orquia
The fast-approaching Nov. 8 general election will determine who fills the two open seats on the five-member City of Collegedale Board of Commissioners. There are four candidates vying for the positions currently held by Larry Hanson and Ethan White, both of whom are not seeking re-election.
In addition to local candidates, citizens will also vote for governor and two Tennessee House representatives and on four Tennessee constitutional amendments when they go to the polls. Early voting began Oct. 19 and ends Thursday.
According to the City of Collegedale website, the Board of Commissioners has five seats, with members serving staggered four-year terms. The responsibility of the board is to vote on city ordinances and resolutions. The board also appoints the city manager, mayor and vice mayor.
The following is a quick snapshot of who is running for the two available seats:
Billy Burnette
Billy Burnette is an assistant chief and paramedic at Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services, according to his Facebook page. A Collegedale resident for the past 22 years, he serves as a volunteer firefighter for the Tri-Community Fire Department and as treasurer for the Forgotten Child Fund, a charity providing Christmas presents to children in Hamilton County.
Burnette’s platform focuses on financial responsibility, transparency and a common sense approach to government, according to an email sent to the Accent.
“I will take a carefully thought out strategic approach to growth,” Burnette wrote. “I believe that being a Commissioner is truly being a voice for the people.”
Morty Lloyd
Morty Lloyd, a Chattanooga native, has served as the senior pastor for Chattanooga Church the past 29 years. He also fundraises for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), providing scholarships for high school students pursuing aviation careers, according to information on his website.
Lloyd’s platform focuses on advocating for parks, green spaces and a strategic plan for growth, according to an email he sent to the Accent.
“Collegedale does parks and green spaces better than any other community in Hamilton County,” he wrote in the email. “My goal is to have a park within a 10 minute walk of any child in Collegedale.”
Ted Rogers
Ted Rogers is the former city manager of Collegedale. He resigned from the position in 2021 after working there 15 years. He currently serves on the Hamilton County 911 board of directors and has spent 40 years working in county and city government, according to an Oct. 31 Chattanooga Times Free Press article.
Rogers’ resignation from the city manager position resulted amid controversy regarding the termination of Collegedale’s Parks and Recreation Director Traci Bennett-Hobek, and an alleged lack of communication with commissioners, according to a previous Accent article.
In the Oct. 13 Times Free Press article, Rogers stated that he produced 14 balanced budgets “with common sense principles” while serving as city manager.
“The main focuses of his platform include the economy; supporting emergency services, especially the police, maintaining roads and investing in parks – namely, increasing the number of available pickleball courts,” according to the article.
Tonya Sadler
Tonya Sadler is a Hamilton County Criminal Court clerk who served previously as a Collegedale municipal court clerk and former public information officer for the Collegedale Police Department.
Sadler’s campaign focuses on promoting citizen involvement in government and supporting the city’s local businesses, according to an email to the Accent.
“While businesses like Walmart make significant tax contributions to our tax coffers, small and locally owned businesses are what gives Collegedale its unique character,” Sadler wrote. “Our city should do everything it can to nurture these businesses and help them thrive. Their success is our success.”
