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Post by Walker, Texas Ranger on Nov 4, 2009 12:58:31 GMT -5
There’s a good reason why the phrase “growing pains” is used to describe nearly all growth, of a person, a company or a city. Chattanooga has experienced a number of often-difficult growth periods from its start as a small trading settlement along the banks of the Tennessee River in the early 1800s. A succession of mayors, both famous and nearly forgotten to all but historians, have steadily expanded the boundaries of the city limits, with nearly every effort met with opposition. Looking through dusty archives of the daily papers from the various eras shows controversy, condemnation and sometimes outright castigation of the leaders of the time who endeavored to enlarge the city and expand its reach both geographically and economically. In politics as in life, the more things changes the more they stay the same. Like his forebears, Chattanooga’s current mayor, Ron Littlefield, faces the same opposition to his plans to grow the city. The Urban Growth Plan was adopted a decade ago in consultation with city, county and state leaders, yet, despite this, when the reality of annexation emerged during the last several months, individuals such as County Mayor Claude Ramsey and groups such as Hamilton County Residents Against Annexation (HCRAA) joined the chorus condemning and challenging the city’s latest expansion. With the arrival of companies such as Volkswagen and Alstom Power Group, alongside a host of other parts suppliers and manufacturers that will be moving in to the Enterprise South megasite to service Volkswagen, Chattanooga is facing a major growth spurt. So the question before city and county leaders is how to best prepare the region to deal with the growing pains. Complete story and interview with Mayor Ron Littlefield at chattanoogapulse.com/pulsefeatures/cover-story/cover-story-making-the-pitch-for-metro-government/ |
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Post by rstewart on Nov 4, 2009 15:39:50 GMT -5
LIttlefield has it all backwards. Shouldn't the decision to be annexed or not be with those getting annexed rather than with those doing the annexing? The county residents had NO say in electing Ron Littlefield. Now he wants to seize, at the point of a gun if necessary,more in taxes from these folks. Doesn't that qualify as taxation without representation? It certainly does in my mind.
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Post by Walker, Texas Ranger on Nov 4, 2009 18:02:36 GMT -5
Actually, the people who approved the annexation law where the state reps and state senators, who were voted upon by the people. The city is simply following the Urban Growth boundaries that were agreed upon by the city and county and state nine years ago.
Though it is interesting to see how those same commissioners and state legislators seem to have forgotten their role in creating the whole annexation mess.
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Police Moderator
Global Moderator
On The Job and Tangled Up In Blue
Posts: 9,821
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Post by Police Moderator on Nov 4, 2009 19:17:04 GMT -5
I would be for annexation if the County residents were not getting services or were getting inferior services but that, contrary to what Mayor Littlefield alleges, is not occurring.
Except for education (Yep, that is a big "except") the County seems to spend it's money wisely for a government.
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Post by rstewart on Nov 4, 2009 19:47:59 GMT -5
I agree those who allowed this should be held accountable to the voters. I don't have a dog in this hunt as I am not a resident of either Hamilton County or Chattanooga.
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Post by Justin Thyme on Nov 5, 2009 11:08:49 GMT -5
What bothers me isn't that they are following the Urban Growth boundaries but the fact that it seems to be ignored the prerequisite that the city doing the annexing is suppose to be in a position to immediately, or at least in a very short time frame, provide certain services. Fire, police and EMS services are three of the things to be provided with in days of annexation. I'm pretty certain that the city lied about their capability to do so when they went before the planning board.
Mayor Littlefield sidestepped this issue by stating what the city was going to do (like what they were going to do about police wages) instead of what the city could provide within 90 days. I still believe that a fraud was perpetrated in order to proceed with annexation. Mayor Littlefield has done nothing to change my perception.
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Post by Your fly is down on Nov 6, 2009 20:47:06 GMT -5
We need Metro Government so we can shake out those rascals currently in office. You know, break the whole old system up and replace it with new rascals.
It will be better.
They promise.
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Post by Tsavodiner on Nov 6, 2009 21:07:08 GMT -5
The only impediment to merging the two governmental systems is deciding which set of nepotistic sycophants to displace. Chattanooga's departments are EAT UP with generational employees, and the County's spoils system would make Nero proud. Problem is this town's not big enough for both in one system.
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Post by Your fly is down on Nov 7, 2009 9:46:37 GMT -5
The only impediment to merging the two governmental systems is deciding which set of nepotistic sycophants to displace. Chattanooga's departments are EAT UP with generational employees, and the County's spoils system would make Nero proud. Problem is this town's not big enough for both in one system. Don't worry. With all us halfbacks and new hired auto workers from the rust belt and Atlanta moving into town we'll have things cleaned up for ourselves in no time. 1, 2 elections tops. |
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Post by Justin Thyme on Nov 7, 2009 9:54:11 GMT -5
What's a halfback?
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Post by Tsavodiner on Nov 7, 2009 18:15:33 GMT -5
Is it related to halfassed?
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Post by Your fly is down on Nov 7, 2009 20:31:32 GMT -5
Surely, you are not that ignorant. Then maybe you are. |
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Police Moderator
Global Moderator
On The Job and Tangled Up In Blue
Posts: 9,821
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Post by Police Moderator on Nov 7, 2009 21:17:45 GMT -5
Halfback is what you get when you give a dollar to any government.
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Post by Warkitty on Nov 7, 2009 21:26:31 GMT -5
So, you play football?
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Post by Justin Thyme on Nov 8, 2009 7:40:40 GMT -5
Surely, you are not that ignorant. Then maybe you are. No maybes about it. I'm quite ignorant of many things. However I do know a little about the history of Chattanooga and I know that Northerners looking to exploit the riches of the area are who founded the city. Carpetbaggers have been with us from the beginning. Nothing new there. That's a big reason we are what we are today. So as smart as you seem to be about things I can't see you using the term "halfback" to refer to Northerners moving to Florida and then moving half way back home. They have always been here and, in fact, are the reason Chattanooga is in the shape it is in today. Also, did your adult son tell you that VW is only looking to hire 15% of the number of applicants applying? The politics of the rustbelt put it where it is today. I wouldn't count on the refugees moving here from there improving anything. |
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Post by Your fly is down on Nov 8, 2009 19:40:03 GMT -5
did your adult son tell you that VW is only looking to hire 15% of the number of applicants applying? . I said "adult child"; I did not specify gender. Try 3%. |
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Post by Justin Thyme on Nov 8, 2009 22:51:05 GMT -5
did your adult son tell you that VW is only looking to hire 15% of the number of applicants applying? . I said "adult child"; I did not specify gender. And I don't care. Then the 20% of good applicants is more than enough. |
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Jay
Senior Forumite
Captain Cupcake
Posts: 5,070
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Post by Jay on Nov 10, 2009 23:11:22 GMT -5
It wouldn't be easy, but a metro government should be more efficient than the dual system we have now..
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Post by daworm on Nov 11, 2009 14:44:19 GMT -5
If they bring water and sewer and trash collection, etc., to every house in the county, maybe. But people living out in the county on septic systems with well water would still pay the same taxes as city dwellers, and that is not right. I'm already thinking seriously about moving out of the city, if metro talk gets serious, I'll consider moving out of the county as well.
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Post by Tsavodiner on Nov 11, 2009 20:40:32 GMT -5
Shared philosophies abound. Of particular interest are the'green'outfits headed by scions of the old dirty industries. Making money at both ends of the smokestack.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2009 19:42:08 GMT -5
My guess is that not everyone or every place is concerned about metro government.
For example, here is the text from one of the pages at the Shelley, Idaho website:
"Police Department
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The police department is located at 115 S. Emerson Avenue. This department is open 24 hours per day, however there may not always be an officer in the building.
You may contact the police by calling 357-3446. If the officer is out of the building he will answer the call on a radio telephone. If the call is an emergency dial 911."
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