It’s that time again…can you smell it? Fall in the air, apple cider brewing, campfire smoke…nope!

Here, in East Ridge, all we smell is the manure being dished out by local politicians for the November Municipal Elections!

Every two years we go through this. This candidate promises to get rid of this person, that candidate promises to fire that person. Any wonder why we can’t keep a city manager? My favorite campaign pledge is the promise that all employees get raises and also promise not to increase property taxes. How in the world can that be done? 

We have got to get people on our city council willing to work together for the betterment of our city, not just certain groups. For years our council has been 2-3, of course, it’s a numbers game and I’ve seen them vote on issues, not for the citizens, but because it’s a nah, nah, nah game. I have the numbers and beat you.

We need a council that WORKS together for us, all of us! Not one that is just trying to “ramrod” through their promises!

I strongly urge you to look and talk to every candidate and be very leery of voting in a majority of like-minded people. We need diversity on our council and they need to stand up for what their constituents want. 

Just remember, the grass may be greener on the other side, but only because all the manure that has been spread. 

 _ C. Mathis
East Ridge Citizen