I understand and respect the concerns regarding the development of a large tract of land on Highway 153. But if the owner of that land (who is not Duane Horton) wants to develop it under its current zoning (which allows golf courses, among other things), he is entitled to do so, without attempting to address any of the concerns of the neighboring community. Reasonable minds can differ as to the relative merits of a development that does not require rezoning, versus a mixed-use development that does, and I'll leave that debate to the people who live in the affected area and the government officials who must make the decisions.
But for what it's worth, I've had several dealings as a customer of Duane Horton, and I can say without reservation that those have been—by far—my best experiences with any service provider. When Duane tells me something, I am 100 percent confident it is 100 percent the truth, and that his recommendations always are based on what's best for me as the customer, even if that conflicts with what's best for his bottom line.
So, if development is inevitable, I'd prefer it be at the hands of a man who is trustworthy, who has a proven record of responsible development, and who is more concerned with doing the right thing than with maximizing profits at all external costs.
Joe DeGaetano
Chattanooga
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A personal injury attorney vouching for a developer? I'm just sayin'.
Watch out, Hixson. You'll look like Ringgold Road before long. I've seen it happen.
Wes Ellis
East Ridge