Editor’s note: This is the first part of an occasional series on people making a difference in Chattanooga.
In his book, “Old Money New South: The Spirit of Chattanooga,” Dean Arnold chronicles the fascinating story of how Chattanoogans dealt with problems to become one of the most desirable communities in America.
It wasn’t easy. In 1969, in response to seemingly insurmountable pollution problems and the formidable industrial powers behind that pollution, a group of concerned citizens met with the local Chamber of Commerce and formed the Air Pollution Control Board. They refused to be bribed or bullied, yet they maintained a positive relationship with the textile and steel industries that employed more than 80,000 citizens. They found a way to make it work, and they cleaned up our city.
During economic downturns of the 1970s, the city faced another huge crisis as thousands of jobs disappeared. Again, prominent citizens rose to the occasion and formed Chattanooga Venture in 1977 which spawned many other programs that resulted in urban renewal of downtown, the Tennessee Aquarium, the Creative Discovery Museum, a river trail system and Enterprise South industrial park.
We enjoy the fruits of those efforts; however, now, we face a different crisis than pollution and economic stagnation. We face overwhelming social problems that threaten our security and progress. These are maladies for which our government can only apply Band-aids. The cure requires changing men’s souls.