Do you smell that? Something smells a little fishy over here in East Ridge...
Curtis Adams give his little farewell speech, books Mike Steele to preach his funeral, gets up and walks out. Everyone boo-hoos and makes their little comments. From Mike Steele to his former employee and fellow chronie Larry Sewell. Even someone jumped up from the meeting when he arrived late and said he had to run and call him. Bravo. Bravo. Maybe the city of East Ridge ought to be nominated for an Emmy as this sure does look like a planned act.
The true question remains. King Curtis left his position in the middle of a budget meeting. Quit. Gone. Outta here. Today he is brought back. In accordance with the city charter, was the reinstatement of this city employee voted on by the council, which does not formally meet again until next week? If he did not quit did why did he skip out on the budget meeting Saturday? Being one who never met a camera he did not like, maybe he had another photo opportunity to get to (see front page of Times Free Press). Ole "Tax and Spend" must have been missing his city car and the $1,153 he would have made this week for sapping additional money from the same people he wants to stick with a ludicrous tax increase.
Maybe Mike Steele was feeling a little naked without the self proclaimed "Lightning Rod" to absorb all the criticism. The truth is, Mike Steele is probably a good person who cares for the future of the city. Too bad he is surrounded with people such as Mr. Sewell and Mr. Card who are nothing more than puppets looking for some power. I guess in his case, "when in Rome (East Ridge), do as the Romans (Pioneers) do" may come into play. I hold out hope for Mayor Steele during this time.
Maybe now special interests activist Chuch Mehan can get some sleep, plant a few more trees on Ringgold Road, and dream of his new lights at Camp Jordan and flashing sign that could become reality at Exit 1. If it ever gets installed, the sign may read...Wanted...Middle Class Families To Be Overtaxed and Take Place of Mass Exodus...Opening in 2013...Slash Valley Water Park. Unless the rumors of a move to North Georgia for the water park are true.
What is that noise? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it is King Curtis driving down Ringgold Road in his city car (and 10 more middle class families fleeing the future East Lake and making a run for a fellow community where they can prosper without funding a recreation facility (Camp Jordan, soon to be known as Camp Curtis) that many local residents reap nothing from.
W.G. Stoner
East Ridge
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Thank you, Mike Steele, for asking Curtis Adams back...just another black eye for East Ridge. I was afraid he would try to pull this when Mike Steele said on the news that Curtis was welcome back any time as city manager.
Well, you have done it this time. Oh, I know you say it is just until you find a replacement. Just when is the job going to be advertised? And who is on the search committee? Probably Steele and Adams. Would not surprise me in the least if they do not advertise and are just hoping this all goes away. And Ole Curtis will continue to have his way.
Mayor Steele, you have done a number on East Ridge. That's right you and your "proud to announce a 47-cent tax increase" Curtis Adams should be very happy. The two of you have shown what power does to people. We all knew it about Curtis....now we know it for sure about Steele.
Matt Conners
East Ridge
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Curtis Adams has brought his tax and spend mentality from Hamilton County Commissioner to East Ridge. With inflation robbing the middle class of it wealth, Adams and Steele want to increase taxes, for trees and lights.
Thanks, Curtis, for thinking of the retirees and fixed income residents of East Lake East, formerly East Ridge.
Does Mayor Steele have eyes, East Ridge has turned into a tattoo parlor, used car and check cashing haven. I am selling all of my properties in ELE and buying North Georgia property. Who in their right mind would want to live in ELE now?
Chuck Davis
Lookout Mountain, Tn.