East Ridge Mayor Brian Williams is running for re-election in the Nov. 8 municipal election.
“I feel that my involvement as the current mayor has been important in the past progress and future growth of our East Ridge,” he said by email.
Williams has lived in East Ridge for more two decades and served on the City Council from 2016-18 before serving as the city’s mayor for the past four years.
Among his qualifications for office, Williams counts his professional experience in project management and departmental budgets as a senior manager and information technology professional, along with his experience developing the city’s annual budgets, policies and procedures as mayor and a member of the council.
During his time as mayor, East Ridge has seen more than $220 million dollars invested in upgrades and development, including a ladder truck for the Fire Department, a dog park, a playground and a splash pad, he said.
(READ MORE: $200 million East Ridge project will benefit from state, county funds)
The East Ridge Police Department created a crime suppression unit during Williams’ time on the council, which recently allotted additional resources for that unit and supported an increased training budget for the entire department, Williams said. He said he plans to continue his support of police programs and push for state accreditation of the department if re-elected.
His other goals if he wins another term include establishing plans for street resurfacing and equipment replacement for city service providers, along with facilitating business growth, job creation and economic development throughout East Ridge, he said.
As a member of the East Ridge Chamber Council, Williams is helping create an “on-ramp” packet to include processes and steps for opening a new business in the city, as well as a “road map” for businesses to review when considering East Ridge for their business location, he said.
If re-elected, Williams also hopes to complete construction on a new animal shelter and use the benefits of the Border Region Retail Tourism Development District Act during the final four years of availability to bring additional state tax dollars into the city with no cost or risk to taxpayers, he said.
Under the Border Region legislation, which East Ridge received in 2012, the state gives East Ridge 4.125% of the 7% sales tax revenue that any new businesses inside a 940-acre zone at the Ringgold Road and Interstate 75 interchange generate in a fiscal year.
“We have made great progress in East Ridge and will continue to be committed to continue the progress,” Williams said, when asked why people should vote for him to continue to serve as the city’s mayor. “I am open and transparent.
“We work for the citizens and will continue to stay engaged to ensure we are providing the best services to our citizens.”
Write-in candidate Dick Cook is Williams’ only opposition in the mayoral race.
Early voting runs through Nov. 3, and Election Day is Nov. 8.
Contact Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6508.