Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke names 2 to city positions

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Chattanooga City Hall

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FIRE CHIEFA job posting for chief of the Chattanooga Fire Department is on the city's website. The salary "depends on qualification," the post states. Minimum qualifications are identified as "any combination of training and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in fire science or related field and a minimum of 10 years progressively responsible experience within a Fire Department through the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, with seven years at a management level."

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke has named administrators for the city's Public Works Department and the City Court clerk's office, according to a news release.

Lee Norris will move up from deputy administrator to the top slot at Public Works, and Ron Swafford will serve as the City Court clerk, spokeswoman Lacie Stone said.

"Today I am pleased to announce two individuals with the experience and leadership skills needed to help implement my vision for Chattanooga and city government," Berke said in the release.

Norris replaces Steve Leach, who was among the 18 administrators not held over from former Mayor Ron Littlefield's administration.

Norris has worked for the city for more than a decade and had been deputy administrator under Leach since 2005.

Swafford served in the Hamilton County Juvenile Court for almost 30 years, including as Juvenile Court clerk from 1998 to 2010, according to the release.

Before leaving office, Littlefield tried to place one of his aides, Anita Ebersole, in the clerk's slot, but opposition from the city judges and others made the plan fall through.