To call the meeting Councilwoman Pam Ladd had for the community a “discussion” about the proposed mega-development on Highway 153 is nothing short of a sham. She set up the meeting on less than a week’s notice during the holidays, and to add insult to injury, she did it outside of the district she represents.
Furthermore, she managed the meeting in such a way that attendees asked questions, she interpreted the meaning of the questions (however it best fit her purpose) while spoon feeding them back to the development team, and left no time or opportunity for the attendees to comment.
The developer and his hired guns talked a lot about their “intent” to do things the community has been requesting since last spring. When do they intend to do them? Never. That’s because the dog and pony shows they have called public meetings for gathering community input have dedicated only a matter of minutes to the community’s interests. Yet, they paint pretty pictures, make empty promises and tell stories in an effort to get our buy-in.
Their real purpose is to get a speculative rezoning passed so they can sell off the property for a higher price down the road. That’s why they will do anything, say anything and promise anything to the community and its leaders to make the rezoning pass.
The people of Hixson and other communities in Chattanooga can promise our city’s leaders one thing the developer cannot. We can promise our voice will be heard one way or another come election day.
Dana Barasha
Hixson