Citizens, businesses owners, and guests of East Ridge, the completion of my first year as Mayor is quickly approaching. As one of my campaign pledges, I stated that I wanted to be your Mayor to continue the improvements of East Ridge, not only from an economic development standpoint but also from a quality of life standpoint for EVERYONE. We all are impacted in some way by difficult situations, whether personally or by others we know and love. Just this year alone, we have witnessed residents of this City being displaced by fire and children being evacuated from dilapidated housing conditions. As the Fall time of year approaches and gives way to the season of giving, I would like to announce a new initiative for the City of East Ridge and perhaps the surrounding areas. 

Effective at the City Council meeting on October 10th, I am implementing the East Ridge City Council Community Food Pantry Food Drive which offers all attendees at City Council meetings an opportunity to bring non‐perishable food items or monetary donation for the East Ridge Community Food Bank if they so desire. Obviously, attendance at City Council meetings is public and no admission fee can or will be charged. Thus, to be clear, admission into a City Council meeting is not predicated on a donation. 

I will be continuing forward at each Council meeting throughout the end of the year, I intend to bring a food item to be donated that will be placed at the base of the City Council dais. Following the Council meeting, items donated will thereafter be delivered to the East Ridge Community Food Pantry. I am requesting that other Council meeting attendees follow suit and bring an item as well to be donated. Think of the immediate impact this will have for our underprivileged families. My vision is to see a donation program become a staple tradition at every City Council meeting moving forward. Starting in 2020 I will rotate quarterly between multiple East Ridge charitable organizations. 

As I have maintained, I am honored to be your Mayor and my pledge remains to improve East Ridge in every way possible. I look forward to all of us joining our hands and efforts to start this new tradition. The next Council meeting on October 10 will be the kick‐off of the East Ridge City Council Community Food Pantry Food Drive. 

Respectfully, 

Brian Williams