The agenda for Thursday’s East Ridge City Council meeting is a lengthy one that includes adopting a multi-million dollar budget, setting the tax rate and discussion of the city’s wrecker ordinance. I’ll venture to guess right now that more time will be spent by our council discussing the wrecker ordinance than any other single item […]

On behalf of the East Ridge High School Alumni Association, I would like to thank our elected officials who worked fastidiously upon the condemnation and demolition of the East Ridge High School Football stadium in search of a quick resolution in support of the ERHS High School Football program. Specifically, County Commissioner Tim Boyd, ERHS […]

I’m confused. Of course, that’s nothing unusual; we live in a confusing world. Confusion seems to be reining in IT at the East Ridge Police Department, too. For the last three weeks the administration at the ERPD has been unable to consistently provide the public and the press with reports of its daily activities. These […]

CRIME. There is nothing pretty, nice, or fun when it comes to crime.  It’s a problem many cities deal with, and a general frustration of citizens everywhere.  Lately it’s frequently found on the minds and lips of East Ridge residents. Since first announcing my intentions to seek a city council seat this November, I have […]

July 13, 2016 will go down in East Ridge History as the opening day for BASS PRO SHOP within the Camp Jordan Parkway. Another part of East Ridge history will be the traffic problems within Exit One off interstate 75 North & South. The traffic is expected to reach capacity of the egress into Bass […]

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 […]