I was so pleased when I heard that East Ridge was creating an East Ridge Housing Authority (ERHA).

 I thought that once and for all the city would use the authority to make all East Ridge property owners fix up their dilapidated property, run down junk cars, or even address “hoarders.” Boy, I could not have been more wrong. It has become clear to me the housing authority needs to be explored further before we just jump into something we know little to nothing about.                    

Mayor Brent Lambert has hidden motives. In last Thursday’s City Council meeting, only Councilman Jacky Cagle questioned how the ERHA would be used, quickly leading to a moment of serious tension between the two.

The Mayor was miffed, because he wants to use the ERHA to close the Cascades Motel, while Cagle thought the housing authority should be used to address homes in our city that are in dire need of repair.

First, I had questions about why Mayor Lambert gets to select all five members of the housing authority at his sole discretion. I emailed City Manager Scott Miller about my concern that that kind of power should not be allowed.

I volunteered to serve on the ERHA and was told, “ask the Mayor.” City Manager Miller sent me an attachment to quiet my curiosity:

(2) Except as provided in 13-20-117(a) for housing authorities in any city or county with a metropolitan form of government, at least one (1) commissioner shall be a resident of public housing. For the purposes of this subsection (c), resident of public housing means a resident in good standing, at the time of such resident’s appointment as a commissioner of public housing or Section 8 housing administered by the local housing authority.

Sending curious citizens “legalese” does the trick every time, right?

So, I went to the Mayor and said that I met the requirements in the above section and that I wanted to be on the ERHA. I was rejected.

Mayor Lambert told me that the Chattanooga Housing Authority told him he did not have to meet this requirement. I tried to show him the Tennessee State Law and he would not even read it. It became clear later in the meeting that the Mayor wants the ERHA to address problems at the Cascades Motel.  There is that hidden motive I mentioned earlier.

I then moved on to the City Attorney,  Mark Litchford. I showed him the Tennessee State Law – the same document that the City Manager emailed me –  and he would not even look at it.

I again pleaded that he read it, but he was not interested. At that point I lost it and told Mr. Litchford that since he can be the ERHA attorney, as well as the City Attorney, he was going to be a rich man billing the city for both duties. That just seems so wrong!

Even though the ERHA is supposed to be autonomous from the City,  so far this stinks like a skunk. It is clear that city officials don’t want public input on the new ERHA.