Flutterby™! : Chattanooga on Morning Edition 2001-02-21 18:38:20+00

Chattanooga on Morning Edition

2001-02-21 18:38:20+00 by Dan Lyke 8 comments

Go Rich Bailey! The Chattanooga PR machine rolls over the media with a very nice bit on Chattanooga on yesterday's Morning Edition.

'very nice bit' is about right. It was suprisingly lacking in information. We now associate Chattanooga specifically with the Walnut Street Bridge, Sunset Rock, dirty air, and a slow pace of life. Did the other segments of this series showcase prominent residents 'gushing' about the city?

They did emphasize the impact of big money on Chattanooga's rejuvenation. I doubt that the city council would have had the solvency to do half of what Chattanooga Venture did - and then they would have spent twice as much money. Of course now that Chattanooga is a success, the politicians are bending over backwards to take credit when they truth of the matter is Chattanooga is home to a few very wealthy families who decided to put some $$ into the city in the early 90s.

You're leaving. I left. Gonzo left. Gary Hasty left. I haven't heard evidence of a burgeoning middle class, instead it seems like all of the fears of a rich overclass dictating city direction to the masses in tourism service jobs that those of us who railed against the Aquarium had have come true.

I admire Rich Bailey's abilities a lot, he taught me a bundle about dealing with the news media and I'm sure that the stuff that he taught Mike and me was just the barest beginner work, and that fluff piece had all the hallmarks of his work.

Ironically I helped lead an 'insurrection' against Rich Bailey and the other proponents of the North River Zoning Ordinance last Fall. Rich was among hte supporters of an ordinance that would have dictated how I remodelled my house. I know these laws are commonplace in CA and elsewhere - even in Chattanooga - but the North Chattanooga neighborhood I live in is popular with the little up-and-coming middle class. Houses were cheap but needed some work and the neighborhood is close to downtown and the pubs we all like to frequent. The ordinance would have required architect drawings for major renovations and approval by a special board made up of local real estate brokers. The idea was to maintain property values but the net result would have been over-bearing regulations on simple improvements and out-pricing of the people who bought the houses because they intended to fix them up their own way.

I thought it was ironic that the female inverviewee spoke of the arts in Chattanooga... One of the reasons I'm leaving Chattanooga is the quality of arts in other cities. We do have some good things like the Nigthfall series downtown but I can't remember the last time a decent musical came to town and we never get even second-class symphony performances. One of our local theaters hosts an Independent Film Series but shows movies that are already available at BlockBuster.

My praise of Rich is in his abilities, not necessarily his goals. Much of my cynicism, especially about the press, comes from what he taught about how the news media operates.

And yeah, any time you get real estate agents involved in zoning laws reach for your wallet. As a breed they're lower than lawyers. But given my knowledge of the economics of that area (as an extension of Heretic Landing and those gawdawful overpriced condos up the hill from you) this is inline with the rest of the "revitalization" of Chattanooga. Stratify the hell out of the economic situation, make sure that the ones on the bottom get enough to eat, but don't let 'em out of that pit.

I too found irony in the arts statements. Sure, Nightfall is fun (although really more of a socialization time than any sort of reasonable musical venue, they get some good artists but you can never hear 'em), and Riverbend, and the symphony's not bad although my impression is that they spend too much on soloists, but the town couldn't support Renegade Theatre, it sounds like you're getting a few smaller run films but not nearly enough, and above all Chattanooga is still hampered by that Bible Belt morality which stifles any of the rest of the wonderful attributes the surrounding area has that might bring a critical mass of innovative people to the economy.

Ya know...from time to time (and of course, the more kids I have) we think about moving to Chattanooga. But then again, it seldom goes past a thought or two...all it takes is for me to look for jobs in the area and/or schools. The desire typically leaves right after that...

And then I think...you know, the more kids I have...look at what they get to growup within a throws reach (botanical gardens, zoo atlanta, high, theatres all over, symphony, center for puppetry arts, etc.)...sometimes I feel guilty because I don't take in more of what we have in 'lanta...but atleast we have it if I choose to ignore it <grin>

When the kids are > 18 or so (out of school) we'll probably retire to a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere and yell out kids to stay off our land...ahhhhhh, dreams.

Oh, Gary, you know Chattanooga has some of the best schools in the country. They just aren't public schools. ;-)

Exactly...cost of living is also a big plus...but then again, finding an interesting job is the minus. I've looked to see from time to time what BellSouth may have there...but I'm not going to be a sales weenie (and stand the wrath of pissing off Mike)...

The only Chattanooga residence who seem to have 'made it' and stayed here are the ones who either travel almost 100% in their jobs or telecommute.