Dear Councilman Wallace,
I am a proud resident of Red Bank of 47 years. My hometown is in transition like other communities. The empty store fronts and empty buildings are not just in Red Bank. The economy is hurting everyone. I work in Hixson and count just as many empty stores in Hixson.
I am tired of the bad reputation that everyone has given to Red Bank. It started when the traffic cameras were put in place. Again, this is not just in Red Bank. These cameras are popping up all over our fair city of Chattanooga. The only traffic cameras that are in question are in Red Bank. If people would slow down and drive right, they would not know that they are there.
Red Bank is on the edge of a bright future. The Red Bank Middle School is getting a new home. The old high school is going to be torn down to make way for new businesses. The new Bi-Lo center has done quite well. The new improvements to the former Red Bank Hardware building and Athletic Shop have made our fair community brighter.
I have great faith in the Red Bank Commissioners to get our community back on the road. Mayor Millard and his group will get the job done. I am excited to see the improvements going on in my hometown.
It was not fair of you to tell Signal Mountain that they will be the next "Dead Bank." The communities of Red Bank and Signal Mountain are two different areas. Each town has its own specialties and beauties. Making fun of Red Bank is classless and wrong.
Councilman Wallace, I'll think about you at my next meal at Red Bank's Taco Bell.
Very proud Red Bank resident,
Laura Crane
ToBSketching@aol.com
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While Mr. Wallace's comment might have landed with a sting for Red Bank it's really not unfair. Most people I know avoid Red Bank because of the cameras. While they are all over the Chattanooga area now you have to remember that Red Bank was the first to put them up and also most aggressive in issuing tickets.
I personally know two people who got a camera ticket in Red Bank that were caught under a yellow light only. When they went to Red Bank court the judge made them pay the fine plus court costs stating it wasn't legal to run yellow lights. Prior to the cameras Red Bank Police Department was notorious for pulling people over for the slightest infractions.
In addition the fine Red Bank court that I previously mentioned is a joke, a blatant money grabbing system.
So even though Chattanoogans have learned to live with traffic cameras the habits formed to avoid them are still present and Red Bank suffers from that. I'm sure the Chattanoogan.com could back this up with one of their polls.
The only reason I go into Red Bank anymore is to get my hair cut at White Oak Barber Shop and the only reason I still do that is they give a good and consistent haircut.
I spent 22 years on Signal Mountain and they are running the risk of becoming the next "Dead Bank," business are leaving the area and taxpayers are too.
Chris Sanders
Hixson
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I would worry about eating crow if boasting how long I'm sure the Red Bank Taco Bell might be around. Ours might be next and then what will we say, there's still an Ace Hardware? I believe Laura was furious at the replacement of Glasscock and even said that she would move if she could afford it, now she's faithfully devoted with confidence to our commission.
It's very sad as I've said many times. It will take an act of Congress to get some citizens to realize what the cameras have done to our thru traffic and businesses. Red Bank let greed get the best of them here, it's not for safety. Some will argue on the opposition no matter what the issues are.
I wish all citizen business owners that approve of the cameras would open up shop within the city limits but I know they would feel the burn and don't want to chance it. They will demand to pay higher taxes in a recession for code enforcement officers but the ones employed in the past made little to no difference in the city.
It's going to take more than code enforcement and pedestrian bridges to attract people, to think those are the only things lacking is extremely backwards. We've told people to stay out with renters included, we've ticketed the ones that haven't to no end and with no traffic the businesses are bound to continue shutting down.
If you look at the fuss over Red Bank having cameras, we aren't being picked on. It's six miles with three sets of cameras and a van. That's overkill and it's unwanted, Chattanooga doesn't have that many per the same mileage and the other small cities voted them down altogether.
We've made a name for ourselves and they're sticking by it by not buying out the contract. I've put energy into changing this but it seems there is always another direction to place the blame and it's never on the cameras.
Hixson is still very much thriving regardless of a few empty storefronts. In fact, new businesses are opening up daily on Hwy 153. GiGi's Cupcakes, Fuji, Kohls will open soon beside Academy Sports. It's no comparison.
Carrie McGaffic
Red Bank
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Why are people scared to drive in Red Bank? A camera system? So you are speeding and get caught and want to cry foul?
I doubt that the camera system was placed to bilk the residents. Maybe there is a shortage of Red Bank officers and ever growing crime problem. This is an effective way to catch those who break the law.
Most people don't visit other areas of town if they don't have an agenda. I don't visit Red Bank because everything I need is in Hixson. But I'm not afraid to drive through Red Bank for fear of a little camera, if I have other business to attend to.
Bill Thomas
Chattanooga
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I just read the letter from Chris Sanders and quite frankly am flabbergasted and feel compelled to correct what his "friends" said to him. Mr. Sanders writes, "I personally know two people who got a camera ticket in Red Bank that were caught under a yellow light only. When they went to Red Bank court the judge made them pay the fine plus court costs stating it wasn't legal to run yellow lights."
Perhaps Mr. Sanders should pick his friends better as they simply did not tell the truth. First of all, the fine is $50. There are no court costs. The sum total out-of-pocket expense is $50. That is true whether you have a trial or not. Also, I have personal knowledge that the Red Bank Judge has not and never will find someone guilty of running a yellow light. As a matter of fact, I have it on good authority that he doesn't find someone guilty if it is even a "close call."
I know this because I am the Red Bank judge.
Mr. Sanders, I invite you to come to our court any time so that you may see first-hand how things really work.
Johnny Houston
Red Bank City Judge