After Thursday’s City Council meeting, I got a phone call from a concerned citizen over what he witnessed at the meeting. During the “Communication from Council” portion of the meeting, Councilman Denny Manning asked Mayor Brent Lambert if the applications for the job of City Manager were going to City Attorney Hal North’s office. Manning […]
Goodbye Rick Smith
There is nothing in life more important than the health, safety, and well-being of our children. That statement comes with no caveats, asterisk, notation or exception. When a parent entrusts their child to the care of another, especially into the care of school employees, they do so with the expectation that this tenet will be […]
Predictions for our City in 2016
On New Year’s Eve, just before toasting in 2016, I made a startling discovery. I was playing around with the “snow globe” Santa left for me under the tree as Alabama scored what seemed like its tenth touchdown of the night over my cousin Conner Cook’s hapless Michigan State team. The snowflakes aligned in the […]
Maybe a Little More Mistletoe and Holly
My grandsons missed the East Ridge Christmas parade the other week because they had to go do some other important stuff with their mom and soon-to-be step-father. Needless to say they were very disappointed, especially James, the youngest. Yesterday, my bride announced that James wanted to go see the Red Bank Christmas Parade. Being the […]
Shopping Small is Very Big
I was reminded the other day that today, Saturday, Nov. 28, is Small Business Saturday. I’m told it originated in 2010 to encourage people to support small, local businesses. I don’t do a lot of shopping. Black Friday! Forget it. I’m not getting out there and fighting the traffic, standing in line in some major retailer […]
Take Time to Reflect on Blessings
As I wake up this Thanksgiving morning I run down a check list of everything that needs to be prepared for the feast and wonder if there might not be something I’ve forgot about. I’m figuring out when each dish needs to hit the oven to be done on time. I’m also flipping through sales […]
Change in Weather Signaled a Good Week in East Ridge
Last week was a good one in East Ridge, wasn’t it? The weather finally broke, for one. Rain and gloom gave way to blue skies and crisp temperatures perfect for yard work, golf, boating and football. Football in East Ridge in mid-November is rare, isn’t it? Nevertheless, football it was Friday night and the Pioneers […]
East Ridge Alumni, Come Show Your Support
For many, many years East Ridge High School has enjoyed the benefit of the support of the community and alumni. Unfortunately, over the last few years that support has somewhat declined. This year, even with the condemnation of the home side of the stadium, the East Ridge football team led by Coach Malone has the […]
‘Groundhog Day’ Should Be City’s Official Movie
I don’t know about you, but I’m getting tired. I’m getting tired of living in the movie “Groundhog Day,” when you wake up day after day and the same things that are going on yesterday are happening today. “Groundhog Day” should be adopted by the City Council as the official East Ridge City Movie. Last week […]
Mouw Concerned About Development
I am concerned about the amount of traffic we will be having on Frawley Road starting October 12th. With all the new construction, including apartments, and now all the Camp Jordan traffic coming in the back entrance it will be quite congested. Also, it doesn’t seem fair to the fireworks business at the old Shoneys […]
Hiring Qualified City Treasurer is Crucial
Well its been an busy and tumultuous week in the City of East Ridge. With all the buzz and media focused on the Superior Creek Lodge tragedy an extremely important event has gone relatively unnoticed. That event my friends and neighbors is the resignation of Thad Jablonski the city’s first Treasurer. Thad was a polarizing figure […]
Massengales Praises Police
Editors Note: This letter was forwarded to East Ridge News Online by ERPD Chief J.R. Reed Chief J.R. Reed, East Ridge Police Department, 9/24/15 Chief, I’d like to commend one of your officers, William Johnson. On Wednesday, September 23, I received a call from Officer Johnson at about 5:00 PM. He asked me about […]
Parasite Capitalist City Wrecks Family Hotel, Hurls Families from Homes
Officials acted heroically and in good faith in ousting hundreds of poor people from their domiciles over two days in East Ridge, Tenn., saving lives and keeping people from harm. That is the story of an eviction of 800 people in an extended-stay hotel, Superior Creek Lodge, which serves as a low-end place of residence […]
I Am An East Ridge Optimist
I am proud to be an East Ridge Optimist. I am writing this post for a number of reasons. First, and foremost, to further honor our men and women that sacrifice daily for our freedoms and safety. This past Monday, The East Ridge Optimist Club sponsored a 911 luncheon at the East Ridge Community Center […]
Pope: Let’s Learn from Our Mistakes
This has been a week of events and memories that are heart breaking: Remembrance of the September 11, 2001 horrific, brutal terrorist attacks on American soil that took so many innocent lives and changed our lives forever; Sept. 6-12, National Suicide Prevention Week, another sad, heart wrenching memory for many families that changed their lives forever. In […]