Councilman Chris Anderson, left, faces off with Councilman Larry Grohn (back to camera) as Council members Ken Smith and Yusuf Hakeem look on
City Councilmen Larry Grohn and Chris Anderson traded barbs on Tuesday as the council discussed tackling the city's poverty issues at an afternoon strategy session.
Councilman Grohn said one problem was that the city's charge to new businesses for signs is by far the highest in the state.
Councilman Anderson, who oversees a committee looking into the city sign ordinance, said that was no so. He said some cities are higher and some lower.
He said, "Changing the sign fee is not going to solve the poverty problem in Chattanooga."
Councilman Grohn responded, "That's a bunch of garbage. You ought to just shut up."
He added, "It's just ridiculous."
Councilman Anderson shot back, "You're ridiculous."
Councilman Grohn on Monday told the Pachyderm Club that it was "a huge mistake" to approve rezoning to allow a seven-story apartment complex on Cowart Street.
He said, "That will be a major disaster for Councilman Anderson to deal with in his next election. He totally disrespected the wishes of the residents of places like Jefferson Heights and Fort Negley, and they are super upset with him."
Councilman Yusuf Hakeem brought up the issue of "the hopelessness and despair" faced by many in the inner city.
He said the council and the mayor's office should have a new resolve to do what they can to alleviate the problem. He said, "It is a slow, slogging kind of thing, but it needs to be done."
Councilman Moses Freeman also spoke of the "poverty and hopelessness" in some poor communities.
He said, "One of the most frustrating issues I have is how to mobilize the community" to provide help. But he said many agencies are doing good work.
The council set aside three hours next week to talk about the topic. It will be Tuesday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.