Had a chance encounter with an East Ridge resident early last week and we sat down and had a far-reaching conversation. We spoke of the upcoming Municipal Election, migrane headaches, the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Greek literature, the old UTC library, Braves baseball, and the induction of Terrell Owens into the NFL Hall of […]

Last Thursday, we took yet another step toward progress in Tennessee. I’m so grateful for everyone who came out to vote.   I want to say thank you to each one of you who came out and supported my campaign to be your next State Representative for Tennessee’s 30th State House district.   At the […]

I would like to clear up some speculation about the possibility of a council appointment to replace my council seat if I am honored to have the citizens elect me as the next Mayor of East Ridge. First and foremost, the appointment process is governed by the City Charter and was approved by the citizens […]

It was not surprising to see the findings of my ethics complaint against Mayor Lambert. However it is incredibly disappointing that Mayor Lambert decided to demean citizens who dare question him. There was nothing “petty” about my complaint and “politics” was NEVER an issue, yet the Mayor could not help but get up in front […]

It is definitely political season and things are getting ugly in the 30th district race, and relatively innocuous things are getting blown way out of proportion.  Breathe, people. This week at the County Commission is a perfect example. On Wednesday, State Rep. Marc Gravitt sought to honor two people in front of the County Commission, […]

Why is the employee that was fired for theft, not being charged with theft?  City Manager Scott Miller made the statement that the employee had problems and that the stolen items were returned.  What does that have to do with the employee  STEALING?  He has had a history of abuse of city resources.  WHY IS […]

Saturday’s event at the Camp Jordan Pavilion was nothing more than extraordinary, if not history making.  Alongside the threatening eminent domain letters the citizens of East Ridge received, a Union was formed amongst the East Ridge Police Department.  Coming to City Council the night of April 26, I had only one thing I was focused […]

Editor’s Note: This opinion is from Clint Cooper, the Chattanooga Free Press’s editorial page editor. Posted with the author’s permission. District 8 pits incumbent David Testerman, who has 30 years of experience as an educator, against Tucker McClendon, a recent college graduate. It should be a no-brainer but isn’t. The incumbent, who received our support […]

Looking around near the new Exit 1, while seeing a rise in property interest in East Ridge, I’m more excited by the day for our city! Just look at the views from the exit near the intersection of I-75 and I-24. From in front of the Bass Pro Shop, you can see the new Chic-fil-A […]

When we all got together to defend our property rights a few months ago, we proved to the City that the people really care and have the power … the power to VOTE in 2018! Tomorrow is the last day to register, please register to VOTE!! I always tell people if you don’t vote, then you have […]

The pendulum is swinging in East Ridge. You can feel it, taste it, see it, for goodness sake.  I was a kid in the 1960s but one of the most popular catchphrases of the politically and culturally tumultuous period was “power to the people.” Riding a wave of dissent, the people of East Ridge banned […]

We are lucky to have someone of the experience, determination and fearlessness of Dick Cook heading up such a well designed, informative and uniquely “East Ridge” centric website such as we have with EAST RIDGE NEWS ONLINE. Please make sure you visit this site, register an opinion on events of the day, vote on the […]

In coming weeks, East Ridge News Online will do a series of news stories concerning the city’s housing stock and how private citizens and commercial contractors go about rehabilitating houses and businesses and how it affects the quality of life of the more than 20,000 folks who live here. In recent months, the issue of […]

A widely accepted practice by Tennessee’s legal establishment against the people is the enforcement of traffic laws against individuals who are not subject to those statutes. Those least able to handle this abusive state activity at the hand of East Ridge police department are African-Americans, Hispanic immigrants and the poor who are swept into city […]

I know that there will never be a good time to discuss the hiring of a Parks and Recreation Director after Director Stump Martin’s passing away. He was synonymous with Camp Jordan and Kids! The City of East Ridge has posted the Parks & Recreation position on the eastridgetn.gov website. I am glad to see the […]