I just wanted to make a statement in regards to the controversy in regards to the rezoning of Sweetbay Apartments on Fountain Ave.

I would like to start by saying that I work at the 911 center and my husband is an East Ridge Police officer. He is a lifetime resident of East Ridge and I have lived here for four years now. We love our city. We work hard and take pride in our home. For both of our jobs we are state and federally background checked. You will not find our photos in the busted paper!

With that said, I am proud to say that our “home” is at Germantown Garden Apartments. We are proud and happy apartment dwellers! Having both been home owners in the past, we are overjoyed to be living maintenance free in our large and quiet apartment with our happy dogs. We are not criminals, as some have implied at recent city council meetings. In fact, our complex is very quiet and our neighbors are very friendly. There are several residence who have lived at the complex for several years. This is not a come-and-go community.

I have found the recent assumptions by some who have spoken at city council meetings to be greatly offensive. They make it sound like everyone who lives in apartments is bringing crime and drama to the city. When actually most of us are nice, law abiding citizens who work hard and just like a simple way of living without lawn work and the constant emergency expenses that owning a home brings.

The managers of Germantown Gardens (who also own Sweetbay) do background, credit, and income checks prior to renting, which makes it very hard for the “riffraff” you speak of to rent at these properties. I think you would be better served arguing over some of the rental houses and duplexes in the area that are renting with no questions asked to anyone with cash in hand (as well as many on Fountain Ave that look like they could fall down at any moment).

Just know that when you stand in front of the council and speak ill of apartment complexes (and their residence) in the city, that you are speaking of what many good, hard working, honest, and respectable people call home.

_ Mrs. Tracey Chadwick