Mayor Claude Ramsey’s leadership has catalyzed a movement for healthy eating and active living in Hamilton County. During his 30 years of public service, he has launched a variety of innovative policies and programs to improve the health and well-being of his constituents.

Currently serving his fourth term as mayor, Ramsey is always looking for ways to promote healthy lifestyles. With the stimulus funds that recently became available to state and local communities, Ramsey’s administration is dedicating more than $2 million for greenways, sidewalk improvements, bicycle facilities, streetscaping projects, trails, bikeways and public transportation enhancements.

Under Ramsey’s leadership, the county already has incorporated active living elements into its master plan and is committed to creating urban areas that are more walkable, so residents have viable alternatives to driving everywhere. The county also is extending its “Tennessee Riverwalk” and has a long-range plan to develop multi-use trails that connect neighborhoods to natural resources and to each other. It is also using Safe Routes to School funding to improve the local infrastructure and encourage children to walk or ride their bicycles to school.

Mayor Ramsey also has worked to increase local access to healthy affordable foods. Under his leadership, the county led an innovative community gardening program and partnered with chools, restaurants and community groups to initiate an Eat Smart/Healthy Starts program to romote healthy menu selections and reasonable portion sizes. The campaign placed a special emphasis on reaching out to children and secured an artist from DC and Marvel Comics to create the “Eat Smart” and “Just Move It” cartoon characters.

In 2003, Mayor Ramsey also collaborated with the Hamilton County regional health council and the Hamilton County Health Department to launch the Step ONE (Optimize with Nutrition and Exercise) initiative to reduce obesity and promote physical fitness and healthy living. As a part of this program, the county has approved joint-use agreements with local schools to ensure that school facilities are available to children and families outside of normal school hours.

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