In the early 1970s, East Ridge had one of the highest concentration of motel rooms around an interstate exchange in the entire United States. These motels flew the flags of respectable hoteliers; Holiday Inn, Ramada Inn, Howard Johnson’s, Best Western, Days Inn. Exit 1 was hot and business was booming. One thing that wasn’t booming […]

Do you think Mr. Biden could allow the city of East Ridge to help the city of Chattanooga get the necessary funds for their displaced citizens they have relocated to the most populated city in the state of Tennessee, proper housing? Asking for a friend.  _ Mickey Spence

East Ridge elected officials now have a real opportunity to address the issue of homelessness. The real question is will they? Last week Chattanooga officials came up with a plan to put a roof over the heads of at least 100 area homeless people for three months. The problem was the roof over their heads […]

In 2021, wokeness and cancel culture fill the air like ash from a recent volcanic eruption.  We have a new administration, more than two genders, more illegal “non-citizens” entering the country, and too many companies who are more perceptively woke than ever.  For many Conservative Americans, the time has come to show our wokeness but […]

You’ve won the lottery!  But wait, don’t go buy that Lamborghini yet.  You’ve been randomly selected to give a sample of your bodily fluids to a state and federally funded entity.  Where is this happening you may ask?  A place where apparently your First Amendment is valued more than your Fourth Amendment, the University of […]

East Ridge City Council meetings are becoming must-see viewing on YouTube every other Thursday over dinner. Only problem is the actions of staff and council tend to give one indigestion. Last Thursday, I almost choked on my chowder when City Manager Chris Dorsey reassured our elected officials that the hubbub over the liquor store ordinance […]

The free market as we knew it barely exists anymore. When stores were told to shut down in March/April, most mom and pop businesses complied while corporate big box stores and chains mopped up behind them. Subsidizing big business on the federal, state, and local level results in the government choosing winners and losers. The […]

Last November, voters in East Ridge overwhelmingly approved a referendum that would allow sales of liquor in package stores in our city. It was a move whose time had come. As the city approaches the 100th anniversary of its founding, residents would now be able to go up the street to a conveniently located liquor […]

I will tell you what I’d like to see with McBrien Elementary and it is very much in line with your suggestion. The school just happens to be in my walking path and every time I walk by the school I think, “what a great place for a market.” Specifically, with an international flare. It […]

What do you as residents of East Ridge want? Most of us can agree that we want this intangible thing called “quality of life.” What the heck does “quality of life” mean? Doesn’t it mean something that enriches your experience through this world? Doesn’t it mean something that brings you contentment and makes your world […]

What do the people of East Ridge really need from its city government? It’s a relatively simple question with pretty simple answers and seemingly easy solutions. Could we all agree we need to be safe in our homes? That would entail a fully-funded and equipped police and fire department. Could we all agree we need […]

We at East Ridge News Online welcome the opinions of the citizens of East Ridge and surrounding area.  Contrary to what some may believe, the “opinion” section of ERNO is not solely the domain of the publisher and editor of East Ridge News Online. It was conceived as a potential forum for readers of this […]

Within recent months, our wastewater bill in Hamilton County has risen, tripling our water bill in many cases. This is especially troubling with the job loss present during a global pandemic. I have asked some of our local leaders, including Hamilton County Commissioner Tim Boyd, why this increase has gone into effect. Many residents and […]

“East Ridge is on its way up.” How many times have we heard this from our elected officials and staff? Yeah, sure, the east end with all its new commercial development and the Red Wolves soccer stadium is booming. No question. However, many residents have remained skeptical about the prosperity of East Ridge. Sure, commercially […]

Thank you to the voters of East Ridge and District 30.  I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support I received from voters on Tuesday. Four years ago I decided to run for East Ridge City Council.  I was blessed to win my Council race in 2016.  Two years later I won the race for […]