Jack Benson

Staff Photo by Lesley Onstott Ricky Keasler discusses his concerns about the proposed annexation in Ooltewah with Councilwoman Deborah Scott outside of the Summit Landfill Tuesday. The City Council spent the afternoon touring the areas that are part of the proposed annexation.

Eleven-year-old Alexis McKee had a simple question Wednesday as she met City Council members touring potential annexation areas.

Will they be able to provide streetlights and city sidewalks?

"She loves it where we're at, and she doesn't want to leave," said Phyllis McKee, her mother.

Mrs. McKee, a resident of Woodland Drive, said she and her daughter weren't able to get all their questions answered as the council members zoomed through on a five-hour tour of 10 areas the city is looking at annexing. She said she worries that, if they're taken into the city, doubling the family's property taxes may force them to relocate.

"We just tried to explain to them it's bad timing," Mrs. McKee said.

During the tour, Mayor Ron Littlefield's staff educated council members about the areas that are being considered for annexation, including Cummings Cove, Ramsgate, an area east of Morris Hill Road and parts of Ooltewah and Apison.

After the tour, Mr. Littlefield said he thought it was beneficial to give the council members a look at what they could be voting on in October. The council already has set a series of public hearings next month in the potential annexation areas.

"I'm sure some of the people on the council weren't as familiar with the areas as I was," Mr. Littlefield said. "There's nothing like seeing it firsthand."

Councilman Manny Rico agreed.

"It was enlightening seeing areas you never see," he said.

The council first went to Cummings Cove, an area off Cummings Highway that is now two-thirds in Chattanooga and one-third in Hamilton County. Council members then zipped across the city in two buses to an area east of Morris Hill Road that includes Ray Jo Estates.

At the third location, around Woodland Drive in Apison next to the Summit landfill, the council was met by the small group of protesters who waved them down. Alexis McKee wore a sticker saying, "No annexation Mayor Littlefield."

Vickie Keasley, who lives on Woodland Drive, told council members that many people in the area live on fixed incomes and a rise in property taxes would hurt them.

"We've lived here all our life," she said. "We don't make much money."

Her husband, Ricky Keasley, said he wanted to know how the city plans to provide fire and police protection, as well as sewer and other services, to the annexed areas.

"They always tell about a plan, and we want facts," he said. "That's what we want to know ... We just want to know if they have enough resources."

Council members took about five minutes talking to the McKees and Keasleys. Councilwoman Sally Robinson asked Mrs. McKee if any houses in the area ever had caught on fire.

Mrs. McKee said "yes," and that the local volunteer fire department responded.

"They were here in about five minutes," she said.

Council Chairman Jack Benson said after the tour that he gained valuable insight. He said he was compassionate and empathized with the people who did not want to be annexed, but he saw the "rationale for annexation."

Some areas needed sewers that the city could provide, he said, while others could use the city's code protections.

"There's some areas you need to go in for their own safety and welfare," he said.