I wish whoever is responsible for this modest display of good cheer at the corner of Ringgold Road and Marlboro Avenue a very Merry Christmas.
Twas three days before Christmas and all through the Ridge …
No, that’s not it. Wait, it’s coming to me.
You will be visited by three ghosts: One from Christmas past, one from Christmas present and one from Christmas future. Forget that, nobody can top Dickens.
Oh well, I can always ask Santa Claus – or as they call him in East Ridge’s “Little Italy,” Babbo Natale – for a wish list for our city.
Here goes.
I wish that the big ole fir tree that once stood majestically near the Blue Star marker at Pioneer Frontier playground and was decorated each year by city workers could somehow magically reappear. The ghost of Christmas Past once told a prominent citizen that a similar tree would be planted there and she need not worry. No tree yet. What we have is some the likeness of Christmas tree … strings of light arranged in a circle meeting at the top of the flag pole.
I wish that Ringgold Road from South Seminole to McBrien Road gets some much-needed attention from the city and developers to once again make it a thriving business corridor. Oh wait, the Ghost of Christmas Future reminded me that there are already plans to improve the stormwater drains, install sidewalks and new lighting and generally make it a more attractive location for business. Ghost says it will come to pass in 2019.
I wish Dickert’s Pond at Camp Jordan once again had fish in it for the folks that like to wet a line. I’ve been told that some substance was sprayed in the water to get a handle on out-of-control aquatic weeds and the fishing has never been the same.
I wish Ron Sauer and the folks at East Ridge United Methodist Church had a pantry that overflows each and every week to help feed the hungry in and around our city.
I wish Denny Manning wholeheartedly believes that giving 12 years of his life to our city by serving on the council is enough and doesn’t seek a spot on the City Council in 2018. Denny, your health is the most important thing in the world, old friend. Take care of yourself and just give us the benediction before meetings.
I wish for perfect weather on the evening of November 17, 2018 so the East Ridge Christmas Parade can go off as planned. If not, I wish city fathers have made provisions for a back-up date, unlike last year when it was simply cancelled. It took the determination of a couple of local businessmen to stage a Christmas Parade in Camp Jordan, along with the acquiescence of city leaders to allow such audacious thinking.
I wish Pioneer baseball a perfect home season on its new diamond behind East Ridge High School. Andrew Jacks and his crew have been busting it to make the new field truly a Field of Dreams.
I wish all success to the East Ridge Needy Child Fund as they bring Christmas to the less fortunate among us. Mimi Lowrey and her dedicated board at the NCF have apparently worked a Christmas Miracle.
I wish Brent Lambert would run for a third term as Mayor of East Ridge. He’s got us this far in our economic renaissance. In a final four-year term he could cement his legacy. I know Brent has his critics, but shouldn’t we all as red-blooded Pioneers be solidly behind his audacious plans?
I wish if Lambert decides not to run that Robert Maner could someway, somehow find it within himself to step forward for the good of the city and seek public office. Never met the man, but his missives on “Disqus” in East Ridge News Online are always on target.
I wish East Ridge would allow “Beer in the Park.” It would be so nice to have a refreshing cold Bud at Camp Jordan as we gather to watch Taylor Swift sing her heart out on a pleasantly warm Memorial Day. Oh, Ghost of Christmas Present just appeared and said that wish has been handled.
and … “God bless us, every one.” Oh, sorry. Wrong Christmas story. Thanks anyway, Tiny Tim.
