East Hamilton residents and business owners will get an opportunity to hear both Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield and Friends of Hamilton President Chris Matthews speak about incorporation and annexation in East Hamilton County at this month's meeting of the Ooltewah-Collegedale Council of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.
"Our goal is to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas," said council president Suzanne Burrell. "As a council, we cannot take a position, and both sides must be represented. We are glad both groups are willing to participate."
The meeting will be Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 9:30 at Collegedale City Hall, located at 4910 Swinyar Drive. There is no charge to attend and all visitors are welcome, said Burrell.
"We're just trying to give business owners as well as residents a chance to hear both sides present their positions on these issues," she said. "A lot of it has been in the paper, but with this meeting they can hear firsthand what each side is saying."
Burrell said it is especially important for business owners to be aware of what is happening regarding any potential annexation or incorporation as it results in tax structures that can ultimately affect a business's bottom line.
"People don't like confrontation, but it's the way our government is organized," she said. "That's democracy at work."