How Berke could win all sides by restraining cops, ordering ’open’ city

Mayor Andy Berke speaks with members of the audience at a campaign debate at UTC in 2017. (Photo David Tulis) I realize it will take a while for the policy and political implications of transportation administrative notice to take effect. For busy men such as Mayor Andy Berke and city attorney Wade Hinton, it will […]

Katz says localism seedbed of quasi-independent city-state, prosperity

Researcher Bruce Katz of Brookings Institution and Marcus Shaw of Chattanooga discuss lococentrism at a local economy-boosting event in Chattanooga. (Photo David Tulis) This book argues that in local economy people can exercise self-determination via the city-state and escape an impoverished political and national status quo. (Photo David Tulis) Boosters of local economy and tech-driven […]

Mayor Berke, sit down, listen to what happens ‘talking while black’

Officer Steve Meador, right, takes an oath in joining the Chattanooga police department. (Photo Wrcbtv.com) Cameron Williams recounts his arrest on “disorderly conduct” charges in March in a “talking while black” case in Chattanooga. (Photo NoogaRadio) Mayor Berke, sit down and listen to what happens “walking while black” in your city. (Courtesy NoogaRadio 92.7) Tweet […]

Slaughter toll for babies at 151; still, God triples grace for city

This boy, Walter, lives only a few minutes after his mom, Lexi Fretz, miscarries the 19-month-old at an American hospital in 2015. (Photo F2 Photography by Lexi, LiveAction.org) Without doubt the influence of Christianity on Chattanooga makes it a remarkable city in which to live and prosper and raise one’s family. The influence of the […]

Cops, deputies get refresher: Talk, patience, grace avoid violence, save lives

Police officers and sheriff’s deputies are getting a round of training that will save the lives of people who otherwise might be shot dead, beaten or tazed by them. (Photo David Tulis) Officers around the U.S. get much training in using guns and clubs, but little in peace-oriented negotiating skills, the use of which would […]

AirBnB ordinance takes effect, illegal on yet new grounds

Donna Williams is charged with enforcing city council’s AirBnB ordinance, an illegal intrusion upon the city’s thriving “Gig City” Internet economy. (Photo LinkedIn) Taking effect this week in Chattanooga is city government’s so-called short-term vacation rental ordinance, one that is illegal on several grounds — including a new one that comes into view on a […]

Basis for overturning city’s illegal ban on AirBnB, Internet economy

David Tulis explains the basic legal principles of legal and constitutional liberty in Tennessee that are a defense for any homeowner in Chattanooga who intends to rent his house through online short-term vacation rental portals such as AirBnB. The ordinance is unconstitutional on several grounds and should be overturned by an appeal out of city court […]

Churches should create own courts, offer justice

The Christian church, with God’s grace and God’s law generously granted it, is the natural repository of godly wisdom and justice. Why not, then, consider the creating of church courts to handle disputes among Christians, and others, as well? The authority is 1 Corinthians 6:1 ff. “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, […]