posted July 18, 2008
How long do the citizens of East Ridge have to buy what the elected and appointed officials are trying to sell? Who will stand up and do something? Do the citizens not care that the mayor wouldn't know the truth if it hit him in the head?
The whole charade with the resignation of Curtis Adams and then him taking it back is not only embarrassing for East Ridge it is illegal and in violation of the charter of the city. Mr. Adams quit as city manager on Saturday, June 12. He left the building, came back later and cleaned out his office. He gave interview after interview stating he was gone, it was in the mayor's hands now etc. Then he stated that Mayor Steele asked him to come back. If he never left and his resignation was not effective immediately why would he have to come back?
The mayor acted without authority and in violation of the charter putting Mr. Adams back to work. Wake up people. Under this form of government the only power the mayor of East Ridge has is to officiate over the meetings and has one vote just like the other council members. He violated the charter of East Ridge. He lied to the citizens of East Ridge stating that Mr. Adams was not clear in his resignation.
Further who is in the middle of it all that is supposed to be making sure that the city operates legally, John Anderson the City Attorney? He asked Mr. Adams on the day that he resigned if it was effective immediately and Mr. Adams said yes. Yet here he is with Mr. Steele and Mr. Adams coming up with this preposterous story about it wasn't a real resignation because it wasn't in writing and didn't specify a time. Mr. Anderson's role couldn't be influenced by the conflicts that he has in even representing East Ridge could it. For everyone that doesn't know Mr. Anderson also represents the Hamilton County WWTA which if I am not mistaken the County Council determines who represents that body. Further the city of East Ridge does business with East Ridge.
Mayor Steele, Mr. Adams and Mr. Anderson all need to voluntarily resign from their respective positions and Mr. Anderson should self report to the Board of Professional Responsibility for having such conflicts in his representation and for allowing the mayor to put Mr. Adams back to work in clear violation of the charter of the city.
Jeremy Lewis
East Ridge
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This is just another absurd saga to the continuing Adams and Steele story. Any person in their right mind knew that Curtis Adams resigned immediately last Saturday. He was asked then and did so. He left the meeting after resigning and further more cleaned out his office.
What are Mike Steele and Adams trying to pull? Steele made it abundantly clear that he wanted Adams back. Sure he is trying to act innocent in it all, but this was all staged. Now to try and pull a stupid trick on the citizens that it really was not a resignation because it was not in writing. Come on mayor, city attorney and what's his name? Oh yeah..."put my name on anything that I can get my hands on Curtis Adams."
Anyone that works this closely to Curtis Adams is just his puppet. At the next town hall meeting introduce yourself to Puppet Steele, Puppet Anderson, Puppet Sewell and Puppet Card. Then give the Ring Master Curtis Adams a high five for again pulling their strings. How embarrassing they are.
Bill Hughes
* * *
I would love to sell my home and move out of Dodge (East Ridge). However, this might be the worst time in East Ridge's history to try and sell. Who in their right mind would want to relocate to East Ridge with the Three Stooge's running the show. Petty and Manning are the only two who seem to be listening to the people, but they cannot overcome the Sewell, Card and then to break the tie it is Mike Steele to the rescue to make sure Curtis Adams embarrasses East Ridge more.
Men, how stupid do you think the residents are? Mike Steele is bowing down to Curtis Adams and will do at all costs what it takes to keep him in office.
Last time I checked, when someone resigns and says it is immediate. Leaves an important meeting. Cleans out his desk and office. That pretty much means you have resigned effective immediately....unless you are Mayor Mike Steele.
Steve Reynolds
East Ridge (for now)
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My wife and myself moved to East Ridge three years ago. We found a good deal on a fixer up and, as a young couple, thought this would be a good opportunity to put money into it, fix it up and live here until we start a family. We like the location of East Ridge. Everything is close without having to even get on the freeway.
Sell the house after we outgrow it and we thought we would then look for a larger home in East Ridge to raise our family in.
We have decided that is not a good idea anymore. Why live in a community where you can't trust your city leaders. Where it seems every time you turn on the news there is a lot of negative about the city.
It was always I felt an embarrassment when Mr. Adams was just our county commissioner. He seems to be just a publicity hound. Now our Mayor Steele seems to have followed his footsteps. Why does he want Mr. Adams to be city manager so bad? Mayor Steele and Curtis Adams have done a lot of harm to our city.
I used to feel pretty good when someone asked where I lived. Now I am mostly embarrassed to say. We have become a joke to a lot of folks. We have these two people to thank for that along with whoever else voted Mr. Adams in on the council.
Jon and Jessica
* * *
Most East Ridge people felt total elation last Saturday after Curtis Adams resigned. You know, he says it is a resignation immediately and even better news he cleans out his office today.
I had hoped that Mike Steele would be a different kind of politician than so many others. In my eyes, he has turned out to be even worse.
You expect the tricks and stunts that Mr. Adams brings to the table....he never fells to surprise. But Mike Steele has been a total disappointment.
His latest trick is just too much. He now wants people to think it really was not a resignation until it was in writing. Unbelievable.
Everyone, including Mr. Steele, knew Curtis had left the building as no longer being our city manager. I guess all the "sweet talk" that Adams did towards Mr. Steele made him want Curtis back asap. He made that clear on our local TV stations.
Mayor Steele, please do our city a favor. Please resign now. Our city has been put through enough negative publicity. But if you resign, .please do it in writing. Because you seem to have a problem understanding what quitting on the spot means....and cleaning our your office means.
Sara Wallace
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Come on "Lightening Rod" give the citizens of East Ridge a break and get out of the office you resigned from.
Mayor Steele, enjoy you term in office. I have a feeling this one will be your last.
Surely the citizens of East Ridge are tired of the "good old boys" in office.
Donald Lee
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