I'm a little confused and honestly disappointed in this new flag. Why did the citizens of Chattanooga not have more of a say in this? Why did the city not help design this?  

Tianna Buckwalter brought up great points at the council meeting this week. Chattanooga is a city that is filled with creative minds and majority of these officials failed to recognize that. This "new flag" design was first pitched in 1994.

While it is great that "hundreds of people" helped with the design process in 1994, why didn't hundreds of people help with the design process in 2012? Chattanooga has changed so much since then. Shouldn't that be represented in our flag? We are recognized as not only a beautiful outdoor city, but also a high tech, innovative city.

Unfortunately none of these are represented in the new flag. When I see a green and a blue stripe I do not think of our TN River and Lookout and Signal mountains. It would be nice if the community could have been more involved in some way: such as a contest in designing the flag, or even with the voting process.  

Maybe in the future Chattanoogans can be more involved in what goes on in our community.

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For reasons unknown, then-Councilman David Crockett designed a new flag for the city of Chattanooga back in the late 1990s. Over the last couple of weeks, that flag has reemerged from obscurity; as has our long-standing flag, which most citizens were surprised to learn even existed. 

Mayor Littlefield demanded immediate action, stating that if we had a slow, deliberate public process it would be "divisive and controversial." What is divisive about citizens having input regarding a symbol of our city? What is controversial about a well-thought out flag design? As usual, Councilman Rico went along with the administration and rubber stamped the idea, completely ignoring his constituents and their views. 

We have an incredibly talented community here, with lots of experienced design professionals. We should have taken a balanced approach upon designing our new flag, bringing together the best artists, designers, and the public to decide how best to represent our diverse community. Instead, the Littlefield-Rico administration has changed a part of our history with no concern for what the people want. If I am elected in March, I will propose a new public process to choose a permanent design that represents all in our community, not just a select few on the inside. 

Chris Anderson
Candidate for Chattanooga City Council

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The first thing that comes to my mind concerning the rush for a new flag is the mayor will be out of office before long and if time had been taken for a new flag comment and design period, more than likely the change would not have happened, at least not under his iconic watch.  So many of these political figures ego's rule their work under "the greater good" label that it is laughable.

 If the County Commission and City Council would just follow the watchful example set by City Council member Deborah Scott, Chattanooga would have lot more money in the bank for things that are a necessity instead of an ego stroking wastefulness.  

Joe Blevins
Guild, Tn.

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When our mayor and council have nothing better to do than haggle over the flag while wasting taxpayer dollars it’s time for them to go. There was nothing wrong with the existing flag and besides the new one looks like Mexico or some other foreign country.  The next thing you know Obama will be trying to change the American flag. 

Wake up, mayor and council, you need to get Ms. Scott to teach you some basic economics.  It would be interesting to know what the total tax dollar that has been spent on this new flag and I am sure it would make most hard-working, taxpaying citizens sick.  As my father always said It’s easy to spend someone else’s money.”

Michael Mansfield

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I share Ashley Santo's confusion about the proposed new flag for the city of Chattanooga.

My first question is, "Why do we need a new flag?"  The old flag, while not the greatest design, is still distinctive and serves its purpose well.

Second question, "Has anyone totaled the costs involved in developing and implementing the new design?" We're talking thousands of dollars here, folks.

Third question should be, "Has anyone entertained any criticism of the proposal's design other than bureaucratic groupthink?" My first impression of the proposed flag was that it reminded me of some banana republic's flag. In summary, this idea belongs in the trash can because,

1.  We don't need a new flag.
2.  The proposed flag is ugly.
3.  The existing flag is pretty good.
4.  Nobody has had any input one way or another.
5.  Will cost too much money to implement.

Did I mention, we don't need a new flag?

Everett Kidder