By Matt Wilson
Staff Writer
When Charles Shaw put a sign in his yard Saturday that read "Marty Lives Here," he meant it as a humorous criticism of Chattanooga City Councilwoman Marti Rutherford.
"How many addresses do you need?" he asked. "I thought I'd give her another one."
But some who live in his Brainerd neighborhood have made similar signs in support of the councilwoman, who is facing questions about her residency.
Ms. Rutherford owns a home at 308 Hemphill Ave., which is not in District 6, which she represents, but is instead in Councilman John "Duke" Franklin Jr.'s District 5.
She has stated that her legal residence is at 3442-B Alta Vista Drive. Her attorney, John Anderson, said last week that Ms. Rutherford has moved to a new address on Sweetbriar Avenue.
Both those addresses are in District 6.
After Mr. Shaw put his sign outside his Barbara Lane home about 9 a.m., other signs were popping up by early afternoon, he said.
Melinda and Bud Hickey said they and several others had made more signs like the one outside their Sweetbriar Avenue home. Mrs. Hickey said she voted for Ms. Rutherford in the last election and would vote for her again.
"She lives here," said Mrs. Hickey before pointing to another sign down the street. "She lives there. She lives down there. She lives all around."
Mrs. Hickey said she had seen Mr. Shaw's sign and thought it was funny.
"There are so many people that are just so sick over this whole thing," she said.
Betsy Bramlett, a Missionary Ridge resident who ran against Ms. Rutherford for the District 6 council seat in 1993, said she awoke to find a "Marti Lives Here" sign in her yard Sunday morning.
"I don't understand how it ended up in my yard," she said.
Ms. Bramlett's home on South Crest Road is in Councilwoman Debbie Gaines' District 9.
Chattanooga City Attorney Randy Nelson is investigating two official complaints into Ms. Rutherford's residency. He said he expects to have the investigation completed by next week.
Ms. Rutherford and her attorney, John Anderson, did not return calls for comment immediately Monday.
E-mail Matt Wilson at mwilson@timesfreepress.com
