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 […]

Can you be arrested if you don’t ‘show’ officer your ID?

Police chief David Roddy gives an interview to Josh Roe regarding his new job with the executive branch of city government. (Photo TV9) In Tennessee, the failure or refusal to produce or give one’s identification is an offense only if the officer intends to either cite or arrest you for a crime or offense. And […]

Berke cops reject constitutional rule to Mirandize all arrestees

David Roddy gives one of many interviews as Chattanooga’s chief of police. (Photo Newschannel9.com) Chattanooga police department in its policy for traffic stops omits a significant element of public protection against arbitrary state power and poisons relations between the Mayor Andy Berke administration and members of the public, especially those traveling on the public right-of-way. […]

Judge frees Gaddy as city accepts engineer report giving house 100% grade

Stephen Greer, city attorney, fought to obtain access to private property though no criminal warrant has been filed in a 2 1/2-year-old fight against two elderly homeowners instituted by Dunlap, Tenn., mayor Dwain Land outside regular legal process. (Photo David Tulis) Carol Gaddy was freed Friday from jail after having served 14 days on a contempt […]

Feisty woman ‘1st political prisoner in Dunlap’

Carol Gaddy, holds an MIA flag given her by June Griffin of Dayton, Tenn. Next to Mrs. Griffin is Ruth Ann Wilson of Dayton. Partly visible is Jennifer Edmonds, a mom of six from Dayton. Mrs. Gaddy has just been released from two days in jail in November 2016 on a finding of contempt. (Photo […]

Inmate to Haslam: Does jailer oath bar ‘hurling profanity’?

Gov. Bill Haslam oversees a corrections system that under the Tennessee constitution allows the enslavement of people convicted in court or plea bargained outside of it —29,000 people, mostly men. (Photo wrcbtv.com) WARTBURG, Tenn., Morgan County Correctional Complex, Aug. 10, 2017 — Dear Gov. [Bill] Haslam, Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Tony Parker is allowing Warden […]