Residents of Soddy Daisy have been hoping for a new bridge to be built across the Tennessee River for a direct connection to Cleveland. Mayor Rick Nunley and City Manager Janice Cagle attended a meeting this week and heard the results of a survey regarding the bridge that was conducted by TDOT. The outcome of the study involving 1,300 people showed an unwillingness to pay a toll to cross the bridge and TDOT would be left with an $80 million deficit if it assumed the cost to build it.
At the commission meeting Thursday night, the mayor said the end result is that the proposed bridge is “off the table” in the foreseeable future.
The city has a list of surplus equipment that includes extrication equipment used by the fire department that is no longer in use. City Manager Cagle told the commissioners that the old equipment is not compatible with newer equipment the department has acquired. The same is true for all the other surrounding towns. The town of Cornersville, Tn., can use it and has offered $2,000 to purchase the equipment. The commissioners voted unanimously to give Ms. Cagle the authority to sell it.
Mayor Nunley announced that the Soddy Daisy High School band will hold a fundraising event on July 28. A barbeque at the school will start at 6 p.m. followed by a concert on the football field.
Commissioner Gene Shipley spoke of his appreciation for the men and women in the U.S. that wear uniforms, referencing the violence that has taken place recently concerning law enforcement. He said people are being put down for doing their jobs. “When they go to work, people don’t expect to be assassinated,” he said. The same sentiment was expressed by each of the other commissioners, who thanked the Soddy Daisy police and fire department personnel for their service to the city.
Commissioner Robert Cothran reminded all present that the Vietnam War Memorial will be coming to Chattanooga for three days beginning Friday, July 29.
Ms. Cagle said that the summer is a slow time of the year for the city government without a lot going on. She said this has been the second meeting with no pending or new business and recommended calling off the first commission meeting in August. A vote was unanimous to call off the meeting scheduled for Aug. 4. The next meeting of the Soddy Daisy Commission will be held on Aug.18 at 7 p.m.