Now Red Bank has come up with a new sign law. No signs can now be displayed in the city of Red Bank. What is next, telling everyone when to open and close?

There is no Red Bank anymore. There is nothing but fast food restaurants and no shops to speak of. It's a shame that we now have to go over to Hixson to have a nice place to
eat and shop. First they put up the cameras and now the sign issue. What are they going to think of next?

P.S. Whoa, I didn't mean to get everyone on the offensive side. I was misinformed by a business in the city of Red Bank concerning the sign deal. I like the town of Red Bank, have lived in White Oak all my life and am in Red Bank most every day. I shop at several locations. I still wish we could get some restaurants. I really miss KFC, Captain D's and Bojangles. There are still too many vacant buildings up and down
Dayton Boulevard. Of course, it's like that all over town. Maybe one day things will start looking up again, like new businesses. Sorry to cause all the ruckus.

Joan Smith
joans1123@cs.com

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Apparently you did not attend the Red Bank City Commission meeting last night. Your opinion saying “no signs can be displayed in the city of Red Bank” is completely wrong. If you will take time to read the Red Bank article in the November 4 issue of the Chattanooga News Free Press, Metro Section, page B3, you will get the true story and as the article states, we’ll work it out together.

Joe Glasscock, Mayor
City of Red Bank

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As a commissioner who cares very much about the Red Bank community I would like to express my displeasure with Ms. Smith's letter; she apparently has been misinformed. The current sign ordinances have been on the books since 2003. The former administration chose to ignore the violations of these ordinances. City Manager Dorsey is working with citizens to help revitalize our small town. We have made great strides in the past two years and hope to continue this success.

At last night's commission meeting a bussiness owner who uses one of the temporary signs called them cheesy. A business sign represents the kind of business you run. These signs give the impression of a fly by night business. The signs can be converted to permanent signs for a small cost. A desirable permanent sign could enhance the businesses and the community.

The commission has agreed to suspend the permit fees for 60 days. A committee was formed with the businesses and the city to work on a solution satisfactory to all parties. We are not against the bussiness community as has been suggested. We encourage new businesses and appreciate the our current businesses.

We are a thriving small town in these hard economic times. We pride ourselves on our safe small town. We have a top rated fire department and police department. Our public works department works diligently trying to keep our city clean and desirable.

I am so tired of hearing the negative comments about the traffic cameras. If you don't break the laws they will not affect you. Most cities and towns have cameras,including Chattanooga, Hixson and surrounding areas. They are here, and they are working. Our city's traffic accidents have decreased, and injuries and deaths have reduced dramatically. Having the cameras gives our police officers more time to patrol our businesses and neighborhoods thus keeping them safe.

Red Bank is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. You can bet your family and property will be safe here, thanks to the fire and police departments and to the traffic cameras.

Commissioner Ruth Jeno
r.jeno@redbanktn.gov

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Ms. Smith states that Red Bank has a new sign law. That isn't correct.

The current ordinance has been in effect since 2003, as we discovered at Tuesday night's commission meeting, and has just now begun being enforced. The city manager has not been in place for all of that time and while dealing with other issues, the sign ordinance has only recently come around in the rotation.

Mr. Dorsey and I haven't seen eye to eye on a few occasions, and it's just about guaranteed that we'll be there again from time to time, but on this point no one can disagree ... he walked into a mess when he came to Red Bank. With his propensity to puff up a little I'll not mention the fact that he took on an almost bankrupt city, and it now has almost a full year's budget in reserve. The bills are being paid. Thanks to Mayor Joe and some others the budget was balanced this year with no tax increase. The city is on track to begin moving forward again after several years of decline. Ordinances are beginning to be enforced, and costs of doing business are coming under control. To be sure, he hasn't been the only force behind these improvements, but he certainly has done his part.

He's also been tagged by the red light cameras. Twice. Mayor Joe has too.

The sign ordinance requires payment of a fee for use of portable signs, those wheeled jobberdoos that require a drop cord be run from the building, or other electric power source, generally across the parking lot where cars run over them. They're only allowed, by ordinance, to be in place for a period of 30 to 45 days and a total of 105 days per year. The maximum total annual cost is 40 bucks, hardly enough to put that lady out of business who complained so loudly and said it might cause her to have to move her business out of town. The next time she attends a commission meeting to make similar complaints she also might consider driving something like my 1975, F100 pickup truck instead of her brand new Corvette convertible. Situational poverty is never becoming.

There were complaints that business owners might want to take their signs with them if they ever move. Do we take the mailbox when we sell a house? Signage is most often provided by a landlord in order to meet both local codes and ordinances in addition to maintaining uniformity on the property.

But the whole thing probably wouldn't have become such a public display if Commissioner Pierce hadn't been busted for violating the ordinance herself and subsequently stirred the pot. Those business owners would have gone down to city hall to find out what's going on and could have worked things out. But that's how Commissioner Pierce likes to operate.

And the issue is moot for the time being because elected officials with common sense and backgrounds in business rose to the occasion and instituted a moratorium so all parties can study the problem in order to develop a workable solution. That Commissioner Pierce, she's so cute sitting up there gritting her teeth when things don't go her way.

As for the red light cameras that have been such a controversy lately, what's the deal?

I make every effort to stay out of rush hour traffic. Suzzi gets agitated when we're riding and she has to sit in traffic. Luci gets anxious because that's where we found her ... scared, alone, and running around in the traffic at rush hour. However, several times in recent weeks we've found ourselves running through beautiful downtown Red Bank right at rush hour.

Going from Morrison Springs to Dayton Boulevard is a particular mess. Why? People just don't seem to be able to wait for traffic to clear before they cross the limit line. That causes the intersection to clog up. Dayton Boulevard traffic can't move because the Morrison Springs folks are blocking the way, and then they get their lederhosen in a wad when they get a ticket for violating the law.

People exceed the speed limit, get caught on camera and then get a ticket for violating the law.

People come to the traffic light, do a California (rolling) stop, get caught on camera and then get a ticket for violating the law.

There seems to be a common denominator here: violating the law.

Now, there are those who don't like being photographed. If they're so hopped up about it, why don't they step up and take the city to court to have the cameras thrown out as others have done? I don't like them either, not a bit, but I would rather have traffic cameras in place at dangerous intersections so the police can concentrate on drug dealers, meth labs, and heathens in our schools while the cameras photograph traffic violators.

Red Bank is a nice town but, unlike Chattanooga, it can't go annex county residents in order to generate revenue for additional police. But wait, Chattanooga isn't increasing the number of police with their annexations either. They need that money just to cover current expenditures and claims to be able to cover additional territory with current police manpower.

Critical thinking ... if we don't violate the law, we don't get busted. Maybe some would do well to slow down, cool their jets and unwind from the day at work on the drive home. Then they wouldn't get tickets from the cameras while they're blocking traffic for others. If, when we open a business, we do what we need to do to investigate what's allowed in the way of advertising, we won't find ourselves sideways with the rest of the community. And that goes for elected officials as well. If the mayor of Red Bank and the city manager can pay their tickets without complaint, perhaps the other commissioner shouldn't complain about getting busted for violating the sign ordinance.

Royce E. Burrage, Jr.
Royce@Officially Chapped.org

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Red Bank is a beautiful city. It is quaint, and the citizens that live there really care about their neighbors.

A friend of mine has stated, "Neighborhoods are like people that can be dressed up too. With a few little changes, you can make a huge difference, but it takes someone with the eye of beauty to make it happen." I think this is a beautiful quote by Brenda Cooper.

The simple changes that the city of Red Bank is requesting are to beautify the city and to encourage more business growth. As a resident and property owner I welcome these changes.

Darin Wright
Red Bank TN

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Whoa! Borrowing the line from Joan Smith.

Sorry Joan, you should not have to apologize or be subject to such
critical responses for just stating your opinion.

When I woke up this morning Red Bank was still part of the United
States of America; I thought we had a right to state our opinions.

I was really disheartened to read Commissioner Ruthie’s statement that
she is tired of hearing about the traffic cameras. I thought listening
to the people was part of her job. Maybe that is some of Red Banks
problems - our commissioners don’t care to hear from us when we
disagree with them.

And boy I tell you, Mr. Burrage, his comments were down right rude.
Sure, he is entitled to his opinion like every one else but hey, lets
keep it civil and lets have accurate facts. He insulted everyone
mentioned in his response. Mr. Dorsey puffs up, the lady complainer
had no right to complain because of the car she drives, Mayor Joe
breaks the law but he pays his fines. He implies that only some
commissioners have common sense and a business background. Commissioner Pierce gets busted and then stirs the pot, she is cute sitting up there gritting her teeth. Wow. I am impressed by his opinion. He may have had some note worthy things to say, but it was lost in all his criticism of us law breakers and unworthy citizens. It is a shame he undermined himself by stooping so low.

Makes me wonder…

Is Mr. Dorsey really puffy?

Does the lady complainer have a right to drive her car and state her opinion?

Does our mayor really break the law as casually as Mr. Burrage implies?

Which commissioners lack common sense? Is it only the ones he disagrees with?

Which commissioners have never worked before or owned a successful
business? Why did we vote all these incompetent people to office?

Commissioner Pierce was busted? For what, representing the voters that
put her in office? Is he talking about the sign ordinance? Where is
the proof? It is my understanding she worked on the Beautification
Committee back in 2003 and was one of the first business owners to
take down her portable sign. Was it really there, and I did not see it?
I believe she only put it back when the city decided it was bad for
business to enforce. If I am wrong prove it, don’t just go around
accusing innocent people …that’s just wrong.

What pot is she stirring? Is it the pot of free speech and working
toward a cause she believes in.

Does he really find Commissioner Pierce attractive. Does it bothers
him that she does not share his opinion or does he just loathe all
females in a position of authority?

Why does Mr. Burrage feel its necessary to attack people on a personal level? Does he own a home or a business in Red Bank? Is his home or
livelyhood threatened? Just how vested is he in our community? Does
his job security depend on the revenue of the traffic cameras?

I am sorry, but I find his comments offensive and sexist.

Maybe we should all learn a lesson in manners from Commissioner Pierce; when things don’t go your way, be kind and respectful, sit and
look cute gritting your teeth. That would be much better than slinging
insults at everyone. Unfortunately we are not all cute.

I would love to see Red Bank clean up and begin to thrive; it's my
hometown. The only time I have seen a real effort from our elected
officials to do so was years before most of the current Red Bank
commissioners took office. As far as I can tell there is only a couple
of commissioners that are willing to put action where their mouths
are. I am tired of hearing how great you the commissioners are; do
something to show us how great you are. Listen to us instead of saying
you are tired of hearing us.

We, the unworthy to be heard citizens, can do something about it. Lets stop complaining since our opinions are not welcome. Lets vote them out, and vote in someone that will listen. Lets vote in more
commissioners that will sit cutely, grit their teeth and listen while
we say things they do not agree with. It's better than commissioners
who raise their voice and speak to us as if we were ill mannered
children that are to be seen but not heard.

Julia Brashear

Long time property owner in Red Bank and proud daughter of
Commissioner Pierce who taught me values, manners, respect and
appreciation for our rights as Americans.