Chattanooga police officer helps woman to U.S. citizenship ceremony

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By Todd South April 4, 2014 3 min read

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South Pittsburg public housing gardens not prohibited by federal government, despite chairman’s claim

Voicing her opinion to the South Pittsburg Housing Authority Board, Allie Haley, center, said, "you ought to back this train up and let these people have their gardens." Residents were allowed three minutes to voice concerns over gardening regulations for the public housing in the city.

South Pittsburg Housing Authority Board Chairman Virgil Holder holds correspondence sent to residents as attendees voice their concerns over gardening regulations for public housing in the city.

Bert Shockley, back left, listens as Penny Arnold stands ands defends Shockley and her lost garden of flowers during Monday's monthly meeting of the South Pittsburg Housing Authority board. Residents were allowed three minutes to voice concerns over gardening regulations for the public housing in the city.

Concerned resident line the outside wall during the monthly meeting of the South Pittsburg Housing Authority. Residents were allowed three minutes to voice concerns over gardening regulations for the public housing in the city.

Bert Shockley breaks into tears in the arms of District 1 Commissioner Jimmy Wigfall Monday evening following the monthly meeting of the South Pittsburg Housing Authority board. Residents were allowed three minutes to voice concerns over gardening regulations for the public housing in the city.

Talking directly to Virgil Holder, near right, South Pittsburg Mayor Jane Dawkins talked discussed the consideration of grandfathering gardens during the monthly meeting of the South Pittsburg Housing Authority board. The grandfathering was not approved by the board, according to Dawkins.

Svetlana Yatsky, from Russia, center, takes the oath of allegiance.

Yaroslav Yatsky holds his daughter, Anna Yatsky, while he takes a photo of his wife, Svetlana Yatsky.

Six miles from downtown Chattanooga the Yatsky family faced a final hurdle in a nine-year journey when their car broke down on the interstate.

It was nearly 1 a.m. Thursday and Svetlana, Yaroslav and Anna Yatsky were on their way here for an important ceremony at the Joel W. Solomon Federal Building downtown.

Svetlana’s application for citizenship had been approved. At 10:30 a.m. she was scheduled to raise her right hand, swear an oath and become an American.

But then the car stalled.

Yaroslav dialed 911.