I do not currently reside in the Lookout Valley/Tiftonia community. I do think think there is a concern that warrents investigation and reporting.
I am writing concerning the Black Creek Mountain development. The land that is being developed once belonged to Will Cummings. It has been common knowledge that his dying wish was to have the land available to the extended community for recreational use. I do not know the facts, but it should be researched. The Black Creek Community is creating nothing short of a commune in the middle of a lower middle class neighborhood and raping the land that was once used extensively.
Additionally the Black Creek Mountain website claims “Cast a line in the Raccoon Mountain Reserve or cast off at the Tennessee River boat launch just two miles away.” Raccoon Mountain Reservoir has been closed and illegal to fish for many years. Does TVA retain exclusive rights to Black Creek Mountain residents?
Black Creek Mountain will be a completely closed economy which drains the surrounding area by making use of infrastructure funds that would otherwise improve the lives of existing residents. There is not one single supermarket available in a large radius currently; and the one being built will be exclusive to Black Creek residents.
The divide in Tiftonia is extremely visible. Short of raising a different flag there is a socialist country developing in the heart of a patriotic community. I would like someone to research this and explain if it is legal to exploit public infrastructure funds to an exclusive group, if it is even remotely ethical or in anyway American.
Thank you for your interest in this matter as I know the community would appreciate some closure to the death of an iconic land and the loss of chance to purchase this land.
Additionally research if parts of that land was habitat to the endangered black frog and an indian burial ground.
Jason Moore
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Mr. Moore, you have a perspective, that indeed, seems to warrant thought by the taxpaying citizens of Chattanooga. Especially since the 2,400 acres, let me spell that, twenty-four hundred acres, donnated by the Cummings Cove group, aka Black Creek, to the Federal Legacy Program to never be developed, has now become only 600 acres. There is story after story, document after document backing this statement up.
Some people, developers, use the taxpayers as milk in a baby bottler. Take the nipple away and hold these people accountable. There needs to be investigations going back over a decade into these bait and switch deals facilitated by former and current government officials.
Is there not a soul, in the position to investigate these deals, alive with enough backbone to get to the bottom of this?
Joe Blevins
Guild, Tn.
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I have many concerns regarding what is now being called Black Creek Mountain by a few, but what should really be forever known as Aetna Mountain.
I have had a long on-going fight to be able to access my property atop Aetna Mountain. Despite a court order, I still have to fight this battle to be able to access my property.
All one has to do is read the original deed that Cummings Cove received. It said, “Subject To Etna Mountain Road” Something the developers chose to ignore. Also, the developers only owned to the centerline of Aetna Mountain Road on one side. Aetna Mountain Road was a 50 foot road. So, there is 25 feet of road the developers did not own and helped themselves to sell for lots.
Part of this section was actually ceded to the city of Chattanooga which is now known as Wild Rose Lane. Should the city be charged with receiving stolen property? I doubt that will ever happen because of the political forces at work which reside in the subdivision. However, if the law was followed some home owners would find themselves being charged with receiving stolen property as the developers had no right to sell what was not theirs to sell. Perhaps the IRS would be interested in this since they profited from what they never even paid for nor owned.
Sadly, an outside federal investigation is warranted to hold those accountable for all the past injustices that have occurred.
I have been threatened with arrest by a city police officer who resides in the subdivision and I am now pursuing legal action against both the city as well as the developers for my rights to access my property being denied despite having a valid court order, which unfortunately seems that a roll of toilet paper would be more valuable.
It is time that I have to hold those accountable for trampling upon my rights. The more my rights are denied in going to my property the stronger my resolve becomes to uphold my legal rights.
The new head developer has recently been quoted as saying in a recent article, “As he spoke to the board Tuesday, Enderle mentioned different numbers -- 1,200, then 1,300, then 1,400 acres -- when referring to the amount of land "given to conserve the area forever."
Interesting since it was supposed to be 2,400 acres and a premium was paid for this land. It was offered to my family for $250 per acre then compliments of Zach Wamp who resides in the subdivision got Aetna Investments now Black Creek farms (Doug Stein and Gary Chazen) $1,000 per acre. Not a bad return on their investment. Now they are giving even less land and our government in action sees no problem with this.
Also, the developers say they are developing 3,000 acres. According to all information I have seen their land holdings are not that vast unless they plan on developing what is supposed to be protected.
Sadly, what could have been a great development in my opinion, and an asset to the community, has been ruined by poor leadership and lack of communication with their neighbors. I have tried communicating with the newest developer and gave up hoping for a response after three weeks.
However, after reading in the paper of his legal woes with a previous dealing, Black Creek seems to be a perfect fit for someone like this.
Jeff Perlaky