One of the most treasured freedoms we have as Americans is our ability to vote openly and freely.   As Hamilton County residents we are fortunate to able to exercise that blessed freedom of voting at our convenience.   

I urge those that can, to vote early.  Don’t take a chance that an emergency of health, work, traffic or weather on Election Day Nov. 6 could hinder you from casting your ballot.  Early voting in Hamilton County is from Oct. 17-Nov. 1.

If you live in East Ridge, I not only urge you to vote early, but also would ask you to consider casting your vote for Mimi Lowrey for East Ridge City Council.  Mimi has lived in East Ridge for 30 years and spent the last 25 years being actively involved in our community.

Mimi worked for the city until she stood against putting the recycle center next to McBrien Elementary. 

You may have worked alongside Mimi as she volunteered in building the Pioneer Frontier Playground.  She has been involved in civic clubs in East Ridge for years and at present is secretary of the East Ridge Merchants Association and president of East Ridge Ruritan Club. 

She served as a volunteer on the East Ridge Housing Board working with code enforcement and property owners to help get properties that were in violation up to code.  You may have seen Mimi as she was trimming bushes at the entrance to McBrien School building prior to the last East Ridge birthday celebration, because that is the type of volunteer work she has done for our city for years.

Everyone that knows Mimi knows she has been ready and willing to go before Council at meetings addressing issues that the citizens have concerns about.  For years she has not been bashful to have her voice heard and to speak for other citizens.  Now is the time to put Mimi on the inside, where she will have a vote to represent the citizens and businesses in East Ridge. 

Mimi has educated herself on the city charter and ordinances, so she is a step ahead of other candidates in understanding the responsibilities and authority of being a council member.  If Mimi is voted in as our next council-member she will not just vote, she will cast informed votes. 

You will not find anyone that stands for open, transparent government more than Mimi. A vote for Mimi is a vote for a concerned citizen, not a politician.

This election we have two council seats in East Ridge to fill.  I humbly recommend that you use both your votes to put two new capable dedicated citizens on East Ridge City Council….Mimi Lowrey and Marc Gravitt.

East Ridge 

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I've known Mimi Lowrey for the better part of 10 years and I am very pleased that she has decided to run for East Ridge City Council. 

The citizens of East Ridge need someone with Mrs. Lowrey's common sense and independence to represent them on a board that has in the recent past shown little concern for how they spend taxpayers' dollars. 

I know that Mrs. Lowrey has been a critic of our council for some years, with one of her primary criticisms being wasteful spending. If Mrs. Lowrey is elected to council I'm confident she will give careful thought to how every dime of our budget is spent. 

Another concern of Mrs. Lowrey's over the years has been the way city business has been conducted. In short, the perception of many in our city is that the council makes important decisions behind closed doors. I can say with certainty that is not the way Mrs. Lowrey would behave as a member of council. What's more, if she were on the council and got wind of such "closed door" meetings she would be the first to bring it to light before the people. 

Her desire to serve the city on the council, in my opinion, is merely an extension of the work she has consistently been doing over the years in our city for civic organizations and as a volunteer. 

I urge all citizens in East Ridge to vote for Mrs. Lowrey in our November municipal election. 

Dick Cook