I’d like to thank Councilman Mike Chauncey for his work to bring a dog park to the City Hall complex. Four years after a parks study showed that “dog park” was a top request in East Ridge, the project can finally start. Mr. Chauncey was the driving force the whole way.

When the city was willing to spend millions at Camp Jordan but nothing for a dog park, he lined up donations from private businesses.

When we received grant money for construction, Mr. Chauncey contacted the grant committee directly to discuss a better location. It had been planned for flooded Springvale Park, and that was good enough for the city staff who would never set foot there.

When another city council member voiced intense, sometimes illogical opposition, he still convinced three out of five to vote in favor.

Thanks to Mr. Chauncey’s solo effort, the dogs of East Ridge will have a real, top-of-the-line dog park to enjoy, and not a flooded mud pit at Springvale. I’m sure they, and their humans, appreciate it.

And before anyone asks: no, this isn’t where that tax increase is going. Do you really think the city would spend its own Parks dollars outside the four corners of Camp Jordan?

_ Charles McCullough