Mayor Ron Littlefield on Thursday spoke to a crowd of city leaders about his 12-month challenge to pursue a unified government in Hamilton County.
Ron Littlefield
Photo by Moss Media Labs on flickr
Earlier, county leaders expressed their discontent at having the city government assume the lead on consolidation talks.
| “ | Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield’s home rule invitation baffles leaders: Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield’s ho… http://bit.ly/nxuJx2 | |||
|
| “ | Mayor Ron Littlefield said today he will establish an exploratory committee to start discussing a charter for home rule for Hamilton County or for metropolitan government should Chattanooga and the county merge. | ||
|
| “ | RT @CliffHightower: Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield establishing home rule exploratory committee: Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefiel… http://bit.ly/r0XFDs | |||
|
Packed house for meeting Mayor Littlefield called to talk metro gov't, home rule. http://twitpic.com/5xafuc
Photo by calliestarnes on twitter
| “ | NOT in attendance: Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger and Hamilton County Commission Chairman Larry Henry. | |||
|
| “ | Caught a bit of the mayor’s forum via @chattaction live stream. Seemed like it was a good discussion. | |||
|
| “ | Littlefield holds meeting to discuss consolidated government: Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield held a meeting t… http://bit.ly/qvgm0U | |||
|
| “ | Mayor says we can unify “public safety forces” without a referendum. | |||
|
| “ | Mayor describes Chattanooga as “the center of the universe in sewage treatment.” Says we need a unified sewer & water utility. | |||
|
| “ | Littlefield says he has had “push back” from the county in merging parks & rec. Says this should be “easy…a happy thing.” | |||
|
| “ | .@chattaction member Perrin Lance (no relation) says btwn 11-19 reps on a unified council far too few. Suggests 25. | |||
|
| “ | Mayor throws down a 12-month challenge: unify in 12 months. Moving into a Q&A session. | |||
|
| “ | Littlefield: “we know the *staffs* (of city & county govt) can work together well.” | |||
|
| “ | As Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield continues the discussion on consolidated government today, do you think that structure would benefit residents in Hamilton County and the city? | ||
|
| “ | A commenter says he wishes for another option: “not marriage, but divorce.” Says county is “parasitic” to city. Littlefield: “that’s harsh” | |||
|
| “ | Another commenter says he doesn’t want services to urban areas (Avondale, Eastdale, etc) diluted if size of city jurisdiction increases. | |||
|
| “ | African-American community activist Maxine Cousins wants to be sure protections outlined in 1989-90 federal court ruling are maintained. | |||
|
The Mayor states “Home Rule would allow ordinance powers like the city now has, such as more zoning power and code enforcement. Now the county operates under state constitutionally mandated law in which the county must pass some laws by going through the Tennessee Gereral Assembly.” My question is what is it that the Mayor wants to change in the way of zoning and code enforcement that makes it necessary to get the Tennessee General Assembly out of the way? We need the details not a general overview. What is the plan behind the plan?
