When did the Chattanooga City Council get replaced by members of the East Ridge City Council? I don't recall a time in Chattanooga where they've voted to shoot the city in the foot more than they have lately.
If this goes through despite the environmental impact warnings and then Camp Jordan has increased flooding after spending millions on sports ball fields, can we expect the city of East Ridge to file suit for damages when the ball tournaments get canceled? They certainly won't accept responsibility for their shortsightedness.
Then again, Chattanooga's City Council is starting to look more like the East Ridge Council... Who are we to point the shortsighted finger at anyone?
I am going to start budgeting and saving for a stormwater fee hike, which is bound to come to the taxpayers once the state bears down on us again.
And on the subject of East Ridge, I read that
"Camp" Jordan is going to rid itself of camping? Of course. Because camping is not sports.
As I read through the East Ridge meeting report, I couldn't help but wonder who wants to rid the park of the gravel lot that is referred to as a camping area? The guise that heavy equipment broke water pipes during construction is a joke. Anyone who has ever dealt with any construction knows that the contractor is liable for damages caused during construction. But that's not the point. The point is more sports.
East Ridge traded dirt for some money and a bathroom pavilion at the campground, essentially doubling down on the campground. It seems that East Ridge leadership cannot create a vision and stick to it. So now a few years later the park will be without a campground, without the dirt and a new bathroom in the middle of Mr. Martin's parking lot. Well, that is if it doesn't become a ball field.
Do ball fields cost more to maintain than a camp ground? Will the new infrastructure receive more attention than the existing infrastructure?
If Mr. Martin cared to utilize the current amenities of the park to the best of his ability, instead of looking at 275 acres of potential ball fields, I'm certain the city could justify keeping a campground instead of spending $15 million on more of what is already there.
Tim Giordano