The city of East Ridge has come a very long way in recent years and has rebounded on all fronts. I will argue that East Ridge has the best leadership it has had in many years and has moved this small city forward in very positive ways.

Surrounded on three sides by the city of Chattanooga and bordering Georgia on the fourth, the city is landlocked preventing physical expansion to meet the demands of a growing city through new business development and expanding the tax base.

To compete and help the city to continue to grow, The Border Regions Act, passed by the Tennessee General Assembly several years ago, created a local sales tax structure to allow tax competition across the border with businesses in Georgia, allowing businesses to grow and flourish at Exit One and the entire business corridor along U.S. Highway 41 (Ringgold Road). This Act has also created a very strong recurring stream of sales tax revenue that has benefited the entire city in many ways and will continue to do so for many years.

We need City Council members who understand and are willing to think outside the box just as was done with the passage of the Border Regions Act to solve problems.

Marty Von Schaaf fits that description. With a background in business and active political involvement for many years, Marty is well versed and knowledgeable in the key areas of public policy that will benefit the city of East Ridge.

Please join me in casting a vote for Marty Von Schaaf in this November election and put him on the East Ridge City Council.

_ Ken Meyer