Editor’s Note: The following is a response to a Facebook post on social media where those posting were criticizing East Ridge. It has been posted here as an editorial with the permission of the author.
East Ridge is beginning to show signs of revitalizing and l believe we are making progress. New businesses are opening all over the city, not just on the East end. We have made monumental changes in ways to get new restaurants here so we don’t have to go downtown or to Hamilton Place.
The new council is listening to the citizens and doing everything they can to think outside the box to improve ALL areas of our city.
Many comments have been made about the schools, but this is an issue with the VAST majority of the schools in Hamilton County. In our county approximately one out of four children attend private schools, the HIGHEST in the state of Tennessee. It’s been that way for years. We tie the hands of our public schools at the state level and parents don’t get involved in the schools the way it was in the past.
I myself believe in East Ridge and l wouldn’t live anywhere else. The convenience of our city is the best asset we have. The community is beginning to emerge again and you will see great things happening in the near future.
I support our City Council, l support ALL of our first responders and our Animal Services is absolutely great!
Property values are increasing as derelict properties are being addressed. New SINGLE FAMILY homes are being built and new businesses are coming.
If our city is so bad why are we the most densely populated city in the state? That alone speaks volumes for what our city has to offer. Someone referred to “undesirables.” That is an issue EVERY city has to deal with. We have Interstate 75 (the most traveled interstate in the U.S) which intersects with Interstate 24 here. Of course, we will have a higher risk of issues with what some refer to as “undesirables.”
Go listen to Mayor Brian Williams and the others that play an integral role in this city’s future. Ask questions, bring your concerns, and offer solutions to those problems.
Sorry I got on a soapbox, but sometimes I get tired of all the negativity about our city and our country.
_ Earl Wilson
