Mayor Candidate Should Not Be Moving His Business Out Of Chattanooga - And Response

  • Friday, February 26, 2021

If you have a high interest credit card and shop around and find a lower interest card then decide to move over to that lower interest rate card, that's fine. If you own a business and find a way to keep your taxes lower, well, that's fine too. If you are Tim Kelly and running for mayor of Chattanooga, Tennessee and move your business to an out of city entity, like East Ridge, for tax purposes, then I do have a problem with that.

If Mr. Kelly wants to move his business somewhere outside of Chattanooga for tax purposes, he is well within his rights to do so, but, don't attempt to run for mayor of the municipality you are running from. Make up your mind, either move and enjoy your new location in a different municipality or keep your business in the municipality you want to head up.

This recent action is a slap in the face to businesses that want to relocate to Chattanooga...you're basically telling them "Do as I say and not as I do."

I think if you want to be the head of a city government, you need to be in 100 percent for that city or else, run for mayor of East Ridge where you can tout the tax benefits of doing business there.

That "move" solidified my vote against Mr. Kelly because how can you encourage business to come into a city that you yourself moved yours out of? 

You shot yourself in the foot on this one, Mr. Kelly. Good luck to your new East Ridge business. As for me, I'm voting for someone who actually enjoys Chattanooga businesses and will welcome them with honesty.

Rick Tucker

* * *

What mayor would you rather have: one who makes good economic decisions or one who makes decisions based on partisan hair-splitting.  While I’m at this, I’ll take a look at workboots on my feet, they are made in Minnesota. My socks are American made too. My pants and shirts were made in this hemisphere. I ask anyone who levels criticism like this, what do you make business decisions on - economic sense or political show? As for moving a business to East Ridge, the person you taunt will pay taxes to Hamilton County for school funding just like before. This location will make a  better win for sales tax collection with proximity to I-75. 

         Chattanooga's recent history has shown with several administrations, those who have sound business experience make good mayors. Those whose leadership is in prior municipal roles, I see not so much so. The current administration needs to go back to practicing law. 
 
Constituent service is the rule of the day for running any political office. Whether it can be  administered well is seen by how that person has handled their business affairs, with fair treatment of clients,  personnel and suppliers and the bottom line.

Prentice Hicks

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