Every year around tax time, I am reminded of a simple struggling small businessman who decided to take a stand against politicians who would not listen to the voice of the people. At a public meeting in 2009, the previous city mayor and other politicians stood up in front of hundreds of citizens to inform them that they would be annexed into the city of Chattanooga (which would virtually double their taxes), and they would have no say in the matter (even though state law allowed for annexation by referendum). One city councilman later said "why we can't let them vote on this issue, who would vote for a tax increase."
This simple shop keeper stood up at the meeting and said this was not right; he and many citizens were struggling just to make ends meet in the economic down turn, and he would do all he could to resist all those at the podium who were planning to ignore the voice of the people.
He was so determined and convincing, that several folks met with him after the meeting and offered to join in and help. A united voice of the people was born that night and became HCRAA- Hamilton County Residents Against Annexation. Over the next year what became an organized and chartered group met literally every week to plan their strategy of resistance. They spoke at countless city council meetings, held neighborhood talks in homes and auditoriums, established a web site, went to Nashville to speak with legislators, held TV interviews, and even went door to door rallying support.
Finally after nearly a year of fruitless efforts before local politicians and others, and an entrenched mayor, they went out and raised over $200,000, hired the best anti-annexation attorney in the state, and took legal action via 12 lawsuits that stopped the mayor and the city council in their tracks.
They received financial support from folks from every walk of life. One young man in particular comes to mind. He came to their headquarters and presented $200 to help with the fight. He said, "I am unemployed, with a wife and two small children. I can't really afford this contribution, but I can't afford to loose my home to higher taxes that I can't pay either." One elderly woman in the Summit area was sitting on her steps as she was approached with literature about the HCRAA fight against this forced annexation proposal. She was obviously upset. When asked what was wrong, she said, "Oh honey, I don't know what I am going to do. They are going to shut off my water today." Her bill was over a $20 increase on her bill, and her Social Security check just stretched so far. Needless to say they paid her bill. Could she afford for her taxes to virtually double?
These stories are endless and reflect how the unwarranted tax increase would hurt so many folks. The same city councilman told them at a city council meeting, "Don't bring us the same
tired old story of how hard these times are, there is never a good time to raise taxes."
Things reached a standstill as I said, until heroes like House Representative Mike Carter, and Senate Representative Bo Watson, got involved and in spite of tremendous lobbying by the Municipal League and others in the House and Senate, they were successful in garnering enough legislative support on both sides of the aisle to get the House and Senate to pass a bill, then signed into law by the governor, that allowed annexations in the future only by the will and vote of support by the people. After decades of resistance, Tennessee "The Volunteer State" thereby joined 47 other states that had passed similar bills in the past.
So each year when you make out your taxes, stop to remember the one lone citizen who stood up to the power structure for the people, and started it all. Seems I can recall "Taxation Without Representation", starting another citizen's revolt as well. In fact maybe you would like to drop by Chattanooga Bar Stools And More on Lee Highway, and say thanks to the unassuming man that started this successful movement that spread all the way to Nashville.
Thank you, Kyle Holden, for what you did for all of us here in Hamilton County, and your part in what was accomplished in Nashville for all the citizens of Tennessee. You proved that one person, yes and that one vote can influence the outcome of many political issues. I implore you to get involved in your country. Become informed and then vote wisely.
Bill Reesor
Ooltewah
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Mr. Reesor,
I know your pain and pride of accomplishment. We in Area 12 of Lookout Valley in the great annexation of 1972 had an experience to remember so I added my support to your cause.
After our three-year battle in the courts against the city to keep from being annexed, we essentially "won" but would have had to have our case retried under revised state guidelines ordered by the supreme court to make it final. We knew another three years of excuses and footdragging by the city would clean out what was left of our bank accounts so we let it pass with the intention of holding their feet to the fire.
Today, after 43 years, we have been fast-tracked. Yes, fast-tracked. In 1993 we acquired access to a public water supply and therefore a fire hydrant after 21 years; our two-lane road has been paved once; and we have never received sewers. You betcha I contributed to your cause . . . right straight to the State Legislature citing our case number and our experience with the city these past 43 years. Now the city has its hot annexation hands tied unless we the people ask to be annexed.
You've gotta love those guys though. Not once have they missed sending me a tax bill or threatening me with a violation notice for placing yard clippings in the drainage ditch that begins at the edge of the pavement at the foot of the bank about two feet over my head.
Have a pleasant evening.
Charlotte Parton
Chattanooga