The stormwater ad provided a rate comparison that is highly factual and presented the bottom line. There is no difference in the financial comparison provided by the ad and that provided by the Times Free Press on Sunday. Further, it is absolutely true that the current water quality rates are the highest in the state of Tennessee and Southeast. No dispute there.
The most offensive aspect of the fee is the fact that tax dollars are being diverted from children. The math and the issue is not complicated. Assessing a $14,000 fee against Bethel Bible Village and Family Partnership organizations with absolutely no notice is a highly offensive act, not the ad. The city of Chattanooga assessing the Hamilton County School System $400,000 with no notice is taking money from children's services.
When Bethel Bible Village was assessed $14,000 and the HCDE assessed $400,000 in stormwater fees with no notice, that, my friend, is much more offensive than any ad could ever be. It is essentially taking money for teachers and housing for children in a recession. Now, which act is more offensive?
The ad is factual and right on target, and achieved the message that the PR firm was hired to achieve. Great work. Counselor, I fail to see where that is intellectually untrue.
April Eidson