I’m just not buying it. The East Ridge City Council met last Thursday to consider on second reading an ordinance that would establish limits as to how long guests are allowed to stay in “extended stay” motels in our city. For several months, staff, the Council and the Planning Commission have been mulling the issue […]

A couple weeks ago, East Ridge News Online reported that Kingwood Pharmacy, the iconic drug store founded by Tracy Parker in 1945, was not going anywhere. The story was prompted by postings from people on Facebook that Kingwood was shuttering its doors at the end of June. This reporter went to Kingwood and was told […]

Its been a really great month in East Ridge. Things are definitely breaking our way.  The school system decided to finally take the step of fixing Raymond James Stadium.  At the same time, the alumni association obtained 501(c)(3) status which will unlock many additional doors in the form of revenue and support from area business […]

When I drove down the newly-widened Camp Jordan Parkway on my way to the Optimist Club’s Fishing Rodeo in Camp Jordan, yesterday, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I crossed Chickamauga Creek. The RV camping spot on the left was packed with campers and big barbecue rigs of the folks competing in the “Fire in […]

“HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD” – Inscription on the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.   O’er the land of the Free and and Home of the Brave.  Those words taken from Francis Scott Key’s 1814 poem resonate within the soul of many of us.  […]

Balance. Work versus play; thriftiness versus extravagance; soda versus water. Finding the proper balance can be a struggle.  I’m sure if you look at most people’s lives it wouldn’t be too hard to find something that is slightly out of balance.  The same thing rings true for the City of East Ridge. It’s with a lot […]

Slums or no slums?   That will be the question of the day at this Thursday’s city council meeting where extended stays will be on the agenda once again.  At the last meeting Ordinance 1009 which modifies the existing zoning ordinance specifically the sections dealing with Hotels and Motels passed on first reading. In 2012 the city […]

The way East Ridge sometimes works reminds me of a lyric in the Crosby Stills & Nash song Southern Cross. “And we never failed to fail it was the easiest thing to do” The words illustrate the way we’ve gone about trying to hire and keep a City Manager.  When Andrew Hyatt decided to decamp […]

“The city manager is not our boss we’re his boss.” – Councilman Denny Manning As the days approached prior to the most recent city council meeting a curious and surprising item appeared on this week’s agenda: I. Discussion of Current Interim City Manager – Councilmember Manning  My first thought was that maybe Mr. Manning had […]

Everyone call The Bass Pro corporate number. Tell them what will become of their property once that place (extended stay motel at the former Superior Creek Lodge site) is opened back up! The elected officials need to be voted out since this place was not to be opened back up! _ Kathy Wooten

When it was announced last month that the owners of Superior Creek Lodge had sold the buildings and five acres on North Mack Smith Road to a group of businessmen in Atlanta, many people in East Ridge rejoiced. The reviled extended stay motel that was the object of scorn by many residents _ and the […]

I never, ever believed I would turn into “that person,” but I did after about two hours without my smartphone. Woke up Friday morning and all I saw on the screen was an apple icon. Couldn’t get it to do nothing. Called in my expert, DeGlopper. He hooked up his laptop to it and the […]