Jerry Summers
I thought that the last passenger train in Chattanooga stopped service in 1968, but it appears that the rush to get approval of the $1 billion “Save Chattanooga” sweet deal is on the fast track with the support of most of the elite of both the city and county governments. (We do need to obtain the additional approval of the slow and cautious moving Tennessee legislative delegation to sweeten the pot with a few more million dollars from the public funds of the taxpayers in the Volunteer state).
Many citizens do not object to the “community saving project” but some do think that the city and county officials should have called the “bluff” on the “threats” of the major league dictators to pull out of the “baseball town that Joe Engel built.”
Since it appears that everyone except the other 375,000 taxpayers are on board to support the 150 petition signing members of the Chamber of Commerce (COC), it may be time to start thinking about a proper name for the new stadium next to the Tennessee River.
To open the nominations the present and former leaders of power in local government must be considered to be honored for continuing their heroic efforts in putting the project on the “bullet train” tracks popular in Europe and Far East.
Here are some of the possible monikers to be considered that certainly are not all inclusive:
1.) Coppinger Coliseum - The Yeoman efforts of the retiring Hamilton County Mayor can not go unrewarded and should be prominent in sight as the travelers on the freeway enter the ‘Gig City’ (A 20-foot statue appropriately dressed in early Roman garb could be quickly financed by proponents of the local project);
2.) Twin Tim Stadium - The positive efforts of the Chattanooga mayor and the negative comments of the retiring and controversial county commissioner from east of Missionary Ridge aroused the attention of the public rather than the project silently slipping past the taxpaying residents of Hamilton County; and
3.) Wamp Dynasty Way - With the highest public law enforcement official now promising to the taxpayers to prosecute the most serious criminal problem of removing the “gang” element from Hamilton County help is on the way for the next eight years to prevent the next ill-suggested title of “Little Chicago” by some disappointed and resentment-filled critics.
The obvious tie between our new “top cop” and the ascension to the Hamilton County political throne by a close relative creates a third option for “dealers of the dough” to be recognized for their projected declaration and commitment to the Riverfront Stadium Project.
Each should be equally and historically acknowledged for the future success or failure of the latest “grow like Atlanta or Nashville” goal!
Unfortunately there may be a precedent setting roadblock that may require that all three die before their names can be added to the “House That Jim Or Tim Built. (sorry Babe Ruth)
The late Democrat turned Republican Hamilton County Commissioner from East Ridge had allegedly hoped that the new elementary school in his borough be named after him but an unofficial (?) policy was established that any recipient had to pass through the Pearly Gates before being permanently recognized.
(The need for an early demise of any of the above nominees is also beyond the scope of this article and not suggested!)
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You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com)