East Ridge City Court Clerk Opposes Move To Place Post Under City Manager; Judge Change Would Open Position To Collegedale Judge Kevin Wilson

  • Monday, June 20, 2022

East Ridge voters will be getting two referendums relating to the city's court system in the Aug. 4 election.

One would change the way the city court clerk is selected - moving it from the current system of being elected to being appointed by the city manager.

Patricia Cassidy, East Ridge city court clerk since 2014, said she went along with the referendum because the alternative would have been to open up the position to anyone in Hamilton County. 

 

She said,  "I believe that there are citizens in the city who are well qualified to hold the position of court clerk, have the legal experience, etc., and we shouldn’t have to go all over the county to find someone.

I also believe that any elected official for the city should reside in the city." 

 

Ms. Cassidy said she will actively campaign for the job to remain in the hands of the voters.

 

Another measure would allow the city judge to live anywhere in Hamilton County - not just East Ridge. It also would allow a municipal judge for another city to also sit in East Ridge.

 

Kevin Wilson, longtime judge at Collegedale, is on the East Ridge city judge ballot for Nov. 4. Other candidates are Tracy Cox, Chris Dixon and Rich Heinsman.

 

The Election Commission on Monday approved the Aug. 4 ballot.

 

Early voting will be from July 15-30 at the same locations as the May primary.

Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 5/11/2025

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report. (If your case is dismissed, just email us your name and date we ran it and we will promptly take off. Email to news@chattanoogan.com ) ARWOOD,ALEXANDER ... more

Frye Mansion At Wildwood Destroyed By Fire
Frye Mansion At Wildwood Destroyed By Fire
  • 5/10/2025

A Wildwood, Ga., mansion that was built in 1896 has been destroyed by fire. A number of fire units responed to 1860 Pope Creek Road, but the historic house was completely engulfed by flames. ... more

Man In Critical Condition After Being Pulled From Duplex Fire In East Chattanooga
Man In Critical Condition After Being Pulled From Duplex Fire In East Chattanooga
  • 5/10/2025

A man was in critical condition after being pulled from a burning duplex in East Chattanooga on Saturday morning. Firefighters had to knock flames down as they made their way through the home ... more