He's a self-described "lame duck" and his fellow councilmen "don't owe me anything," but East Ridge Mayor Mike Steele will attempt to squeeze one last victory out of his waning term this evening.
Steele hopes to cajole a majority of council to spend more than $325,000 for 19 acres of foreclosed property on Ringgold Road, right behind the East Ridge Flea Market. Only four months have passed since some residents skewered Steele and the council for overlooking a six-figure deficit in the budget.
The property owner, Community Trust and Banking Co., has accepted an offer that will approach $350,000 when back taxes are included, Steele said. Other property seekers prompted Steele to announce the meeting on Friday, 72 hours before tonight's meeting at 6:30 p.m.
"Before anyone else has an opportunity to make an offer, I want it done," said Steele, whose term ends next week because he didn't run for re-election this year. "If we did it [at a long-ago scheduled council meeting] Thursday night, that's three additional days that information could circulate out there."
The money is borrowed, coming from a $2 million loan the city received in 2009. About $1 million was spent on lights at Camp Jordan recreation complex and $300,000 was spent on other projects, Steele said.
With all the financial uncertainty swirling around the city, Steele said he doesn't know if he has enough council votes to swing the deal. He said the property could be used for business conventions at Camp Jordan, weddings and community events.
For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.