I was glad to read the story about the council's intention to rescind the sprinkler ordinance. When the ordinance was first voted on I was in support. My logic was to support the safety of the bar patrons. But like many government ordinances, it ended up being over-reaching. Personally knowing a small business owner who closed his doors due to the ordinance helped me see the other side. Yes, the ordinance supported public safety. But it also placed many locals, who swept into the Chattanooga downtown scene just before the corporations noticed Chattanooga's revival, out of business.
Yes, we can have a city full of Applebee's and Chili's. But I prefer having locals run the place. Small businessmen and women.
I would like to thank councilman Chris Anderson for helping out small business in Chattanooga. If I'm not mistaken the councilman brought the ordinance back up for consideration. Knowing Mr. Anderson and not always agreeing with Mr. Anderson in his political views, his actions in helping the council revisit the ordinance shows that he at least listens to his constituents. And that is a good start.
Chris Wilson