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 […]

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 […]

Oh boy! Yes, East Ridge has gotten VERY soft on crime. With the police doing their job there is no backing. Let every kind of riffraff come in and all the Section 8 housing. Sirens are blazing down South Seminole every night of the week going to the the apartments where there’s trouble every single […]

Today an East Ridge Police Officer who conducted a traffic stop on Ringgold Road was wounded in the line of duty, and the suspect fled the scene. Based on information released by local sources, the wounded officer is in stable condition at a local hospital. It is with my greatest condolences that my thoughts and […]

There are a lot of hungry people in our area who don’t have money to buy food. If you don’t believe me, I refer you to the “From Truck to Trunk” event spearheaded by Action Church and held Saturday at East Ridge Elementary School. The organizers gave away – repeat, no charge, free – more […]

With early voting starting today, I wanted to express my opinion about the election for Tennessee Legislature.  On the ballot in my district, we have two seats on the ballot.  Both seats are currently held by very capable members of the Tennessee General Assembly.  Senator Todd Gardenhire and Representative Esther Helton both deserve to retain […]

With the East Ridge City Council election nearing, I would like to offer my perspective and personal picks for the City Council.  I know some of the candidates on the ballot and genuinely feel that each of them have East Ridge’s best interest at heart.   I am not aware of any evil intentions on any […]

The national observance of Imagine a Day Without Water asks all of us to imagine a day literally without water. From your shower to your coffee to your kids’ last glass of water before bed. Not even a drop in a lake or a firetruck’s tank. This is certainly a grim warning, and one worth […]

Sometime before midnight on Wednesday, October 7, East Ridge News Online surpassed two million views since it was established. That’s a lot of views … and to think that in late October of 2018 former Mayor Brent Lambert testified during the Tim Boyd extortion case that he was only vaguely familiar with what attorney Lee […]