Rossville Georgia
Rossville Georgia
Welcome
My name is Teddy Harris, I have lived in Rossville Georgia for over 45 years. My earliest
memories are of growing up on Beech Street. I fondly recall roaming the slopes and
hollows of Missionary Ridge. In the summers, I spent days fishing at the lake in front of
the John Ross House. My great love of books was born in the old library beside the
Rossville fire hall.
I attended North Rossville Elementary, Rossville Jr. High School and graduated from
Rossville High School in 1981.
My wife Karen and I have been married for over twenty years. We have one son Benjamin
who is a Junior at Gordon Lee High School in Chickamauga. We bought our first house in
Rossville on Richmond Avenue in 1987. We now reside in the LaBron Heights
subdivision behind the library and the old Peerless Gym.
My Family attends Elizabeth Terrace Baptist Church in Rossville, just outside the city limits.
I'm employed by our family owned furniture store H & H Furniture, Turner Business
Services as the Chief Business Development Officer and I own a small online firm,
Beechwood Enterprises.
My name is Teddy Harris, I have lived in Rossville Georgia for over 45 years. My earliest
memories are of growing up on Beech Street. I fondly recall roaming the slopes and
hollows of Missionary Ridge. In the summers, I spent days fishing at the lake in front of
the John Ross House. My great love of books was born in the old library beside the
Rossville fire hall.
I attended North Rossville Elementary, Rossville Jr. High School and graduated from
Rossville High School in 1981.
My wife Karen and I have been married for over twenty years. We have one son Benjamin
who is a Junior at Gordon Lee High School in Chickamauga. We bought our first house in
Rossville on Richmond Avenue in 1987. We now reside in the LaBron Heights
subdivision behind the library and the old Peerless Gym.
My Family attends Elizabeth Terrace Baptist Church in Rossville, just outside the city limits.
I'm employed by our family owned furniture store H & H Furniture, Turner Business
Services as the Chief Business Development Officer and I own a small online firm,
Beechwood Enterprises.
Hobbies
I'm the founder of RHSA online an Internet alumni organization for Rossville High School Alumni.
Membership has grown since 1999 to over 1300 members.
Also I e-publish the Bulldog Newsletter, and Peerless Review current subscription is over 1200.
I enjoy all types of history, traveling, visiting historical sites, photography, science, technology, reading,
writing, and NASCAR.
I'm the founder of RHSA online an Internet alumni organization for Rossville High School Alumni.
Membership has grown since 1999 to over 1300 members.
Also I e-publish the Bulldog Newsletter, and Peerless Review current subscription is over 1200.
I enjoy all types of history, traveling, visiting historical sites, photography, science, technology, reading,
writing, and NASCAR.
The following are my goals for the City of Rossville and the
perspective that I have worked from since I was elected in 2003.
perspective that I have worked from since I was elected in 2003.
1. Eliminate the Water Administration Fee.
Even though I did not support or vote for this fee, I was able to negotiate the final fee from $8 to $6.50. This small
amount saved every billed water customer in the city $18 a year. Over the last six years that has been a savings of
almost $108 dollars per household. My goal is to see this fee gradually lowered and removed
from our water bills. The economic slow down has made the removal of this fee very difficult.
2. Lower Property Taxes:
City Property taxes have NOT increased in the last six years. If your City property taxes increased,
it was due to a higher assessment on your property. Lowering the millage rate is one of my
priorities.
3. Making McFarland Avenue a State Highway.
Due to increased traffic, because of the Frank Gleason Parkway By-Pass, McFarland Avenue
needs to be widen to four lanes and become a business spur of Georgia Highway 2. To achieve this goal, McFarland
Avenue must become a state road. I have work for the last six years to see this happen, and I am not going to give up.
To reach our objectives concerning McFarland Avenue we are pursuing the following in order.
a. Designation as a State Highway : This would insure future maintenance of the road. We are working with elected
state officials on a state highway designation.
b. Widening of McFarland Avenue : This would spur economic development, which is already underway, along this
corridor. Widening McFarland Avenue is in the 2030 long range transportation plan.
All of our goals concerning McFarland Avenue are complicated because of the structure of the Georgia Department of
Transportation. GDOT receives very little money from the Georgia Legislature. GDOT is funded by the Motor Fuel
Sales Tax. Because GDOT's budget is not controlled by the legislature it is not influenced by the political process.
This structure for GDOT is a very good thing, it keeps politics out of the road building process. This also makes our
goal much harder to accomplish, but we will continue to work with our state officials toward a state road designation.
4. RDDA / Urban Renewal / 21st Century Industrial Complex
A new century requires not only new ideas, but also a solid foundation to build upon. The Rossville Downtown
Development Authority has been revived and I serve on the authority as a board member. The members of the
revived RDDA participated in a special course on downtown development. This course focused RDDA on finding a
solution to the current state of downtown. The current goal of RDDA is to formulate a master plan for the downtown
area. Federal and State funding will not be available without a master plan.
Peerless Complex:
Update (1)
The Peerless complex is currently tied up in litigation.
5. Repair Rossville's Costly Sewers:
Storm water infiltration is costing taxpayers thousands of dollars a year. Fixing our sewers is a top priority. This
problem has been brought to the attention of our State Representative. I feel assured that if funds become available
at the state level, our current representative will do all he can to secure partial or complete funding for this project.
The city has recently purchased a sewer camera using SPLOST funds. This camera aids in finding infiltration spots
that need repaired. A definite step in the right direction.
6. Grants for Technology
The police department needs laptops computers in their vehicles. They would be able to do paper work without
having to go to the police station.
7. Explore Widening Hogan Road / US Highway 27 Relocation:
I would like to see an economic impact study on the widening of Hogan Road / Park City Road from Chickamauga
Avenue to GA Hwy. 2. I strongly believe due to the park by-pass, this corridor would provide growth for our City. The
ideal solution would be to relocate US 27 from the Frank Gleason Parkway By-Pass & GA Highway 2 interchange up
a widened Hogan Road to Chickamauga Avenue in Rossville.
8. Update our City Charter & Zoning Codes:
Our City Charter and zoning codes need to be studied and rewritten to address the 21st Century.
9. Support our Library:
I support our Library as a reservoir of knowledge and a place of learning. The library has received a new heating and
cooling system funded by the city. A state grant has been used for new carpet and other needed improvements.
10. Cut Taxes for our Senior Citizens:
Our Senior Citizens need a tax break. If we continue to attract new business and grow our community, tax relief for
Senior Citizens will be possible.
Even though I did not support or vote for this fee, I was able to negotiate the final fee from $8 to $6.50. This small
amount saved every billed water customer in the city $18 a year. Over the last six years that has been a savings of
almost $108 dollars per household. My goal is to see this fee gradually lowered and removed
from our water bills. The economic slow down has made the removal of this fee very difficult.
2. Lower Property Taxes:
City Property taxes have NOT increased in the last six years. If your City property taxes increased,
it was due to a higher assessment on your property. Lowering the millage rate is one of my
priorities.
3. Making McFarland Avenue a State Highway.
Due to increased traffic, because of the Frank Gleason Parkway By-Pass, McFarland Avenue
needs to be widen to four lanes and become a business spur of Georgia Highway 2. To achieve this goal, McFarland
Avenue must become a state road. I have work for the last six years to see this happen, and I am not going to give up.
To reach our objectives concerning McFarland Avenue we are pursuing the following in order.
a. Designation as a State Highway : This would insure future maintenance of the road. We are working with elected
state officials on a state highway designation.
b. Widening of McFarland Avenue : This would spur economic development, which is already underway, along this
corridor. Widening McFarland Avenue is in the 2030 long range transportation plan.
All of our goals concerning McFarland Avenue are complicated because of the structure of the Georgia Department of
Transportation. GDOT receives very little money from the Georgia Legislature. GDOT is funded by the Motor Fuel
Sales Tax. Because GDOT's budget is not controlled by the legislature it is not influenced by the political process.
This structure for GDOT is a very good thing, it keeps politics out of the road building process. This also makes our
goal much harder to accomplish, but we will continue to work with our state officials toward a state road designation.
4. RDDA / Urban Renewal / 21st Century Industrial Complex
A new century requires not only new ideas, but also a solid foundation to build upon. The Rossville Downtown
Development Authority has been revived and I serve on the authority as a board member. The members of the
revived RDDA participated in a special course on downtown development. This course focused RDDA on finding a
solution to the current state of downtown. The current goal of RDDA is to formulate a master plan for the downtown
area. Federal and State funding will not be available without a master plan.
Peerless Complex:
Update (1)
The Peerless complex is currently tied up in litigation.
5. Repair Rossville's Costly Sewers:
Storm water infiltration is costing taxpayers thousands of dollars a year. Fixing our sewers is a top priority. This
problem has been brought to the attention of our State Representative. I feel assured that if funds become available
at the state level, our current representative will do all he can to secure partial or complete funding for this project.
The city has recently purchased a sewer camera using SPLOST funds. This camera aids in finding infiltration spots
that need repaired. A definite step in the right direction.
6. Grants for Technology
The police department needs laptops computers in their vehicles. They would be able to do paper work without
having to go to the police station.
7. Explore Widening Hogan Road / US Highway 27 Relocation:
I would like to see an economic impact study on the widening of Hogan Road / Park City Road from Chickamauga
Avenue to GA Hwy. 2. I strongly believe due to the park by-pass, this corridor would provide growth for our City. The
ideal solution would be to relocate US 27 from the Frank Gleason Parkway By-Pass & GA Highway 2 interchange up
a widened Hogan Road to Chickamauga Avenue in Rossville.
8. Update our City Charter & Zoning Codes:
Our City Charter and zoning codes need to be studied and rewritten to address the 21st Century.
9. Support our Library:
I support our Library as a reservoir of knowledge and a place of learning. The library has received a new heating and
cooling system funded by the city. A state grant has been used for new carpet and other needed improvements.
10. Cut Taxes for our Senior Citizens:
Our Senior Citizens need a tax break. If we continue to attract new business and grow our community, tax relief for
Senior Citizens will be possible.
Progress and Accomplishments of the Last Six Years
1. The Memorial Foundation donated the Duck Pond and the John Ross House grounds to the City.
2. The City Council enacted by an unanimous vote an Adult Entertainment ordinance.
3. Cherokee Landing subdivision. 96 new homes. Over 100 new homes to be built or will be built since
2004 throughout the entire city.
4. City enforces Georgia State Law forcing the removal of adult materials from a downtown business.
5. City adds the first full time detective to the police force.
6. Junior Building Supplies locates on Maple Street.
7. Centennial Celebration.
8. New Dollar General Store opens on McFarland Avenue.
9. New roof is placed on the John Ross House.
10. Head Start (North Georgia Family Resources) locates offices in Rossville
Business Center employing 30+ people.
11. New Sonic on Chickamauga Avenue.
12. The walking track is extended.
13. Addition to the maintenance barn. Purchase of a new dump truck, sewer washer, sewer camera,
street sweeper, and boon truck with SPLOST funds.
14. Several Private Projects under consideration and in the planning stages.
15. Street Scape underway on Chickamauga Avenue. Funded by a GDOT transportation grant.
16. Over 100 new jobs created in the city in the last six years. More than anytime since the early '80's
17. New Mega Star convenience store at Chickamauga Avenue and Hogan Road.
18. A City Web Site. I designed and currently maintain the site at no cost to the city.
19. The City and County entered a partnership over management of the former Rossville High School
Gym and football field.
20. New Five Star Flooring Business opens on McFarland Avenue.
1. The Memorial Foundation donated the Duck Pond and the John Ross House grounds to the City.
2. The City Council enacted by an unanimous vote an Adult Entertainment ordinance.
3. Cherokee Landing subdivision. 96 new homes. Over 100 new homes to be built or will be built since
2004 throughout the entire city.
4. City enforces Georgia State Law forcing the removal of adult materials from a downtown business.
5. City adds the first full time detective to the police force.
6. Junior Building Supplies locates on Maple Street.
7. Centennial Celebration.
8. New Dollar General Store opens on McFarland Avenue.
9. New roof is placed on the John Ross House.
10. Head Start (North Georgia Family Resources) locates offices in Rossville
Business Center employing 30+ people.
11. New Sonic on Chickamauga Avenue.
12. The walking track is extended.
13. Addition to the maintenance barn. Purchase of a new dump truck, sewer washer, sewer camera,
street sweeper, and boon truck with SPLOST funds.
14. Several Private Projects under consideration and in the planning stages.
15. Street Scape underway on Chickamauga Avenue. Funded by a GDOT transportation grant.
16. Over 100 new jobs created in the city in the last six years. More than anytime since the early '80's
17. New Mega Star convenience store at Chickamauga Avenue and Hogan Road.
18. A City Web Site. I designed and currently maintain the site at no cost to the city.
19. The City and County entered a partnership over management of the former Rossville High School
Gym and football field.
20. New Five Star Flooring Business opens on McFarland Avenue.
The Future / Moving Forward
The communities south of Rossville are now experiencing growth. This growth pattern presents us with an unique
opportunity. Our city is a city that commuters pass through. We can capitalize on the nearly 45,000 cars passing
through our City. To do this we must apply the East Brainard Model to our situation. Chattanooga is the center of
our metro area, with suburbs surrounding the central city. The last twenty years of suburban growth has been to the
east of Chattanooga, with the majority of residential growth east of East Brainard and the Hamilton Place area.
Downtown workers shop, met and eat in East Brainard / Hamilton Place area before traveling east home. This is
Chattanooga's shop, met and eat spot on the east. A similar spot has developed north of Chattanooga in Hixson.
No such spot exists south of Chattanooga.
The population growth pattern is now moving south. Catoosa County has already experienced this shift, with
disastrous results due to lack of planning and vision. A trip down Battlefield Parkway confirms the lack of vision and
the results of unregulated sprawl. Traffic light after traffic light on the parkway makes it a true parking lot. An expert
on downtown development said that Battlefield parkway is one of best examples of poor vision and unregulated
growth. Walker County has taken note of this unchecked growth in Catoosa County, and has taken steps to
regulate growth to maximize quality growth. The City of Chickamuaga and Walker County enacted a Historic Overlay
District with strict zoning requirements. The type of zoning that Chickamauga and Walker County enacted will slow
growth but ensure that what growth in the affected area will be quality growth. Chickamauga is positioning itself as
a tourist destination emphasizing its historic and small town character. Chickamuaga has the potential of
becoming the Gettysburg of the south. They are doing all the right things to achieve this goal with quality growth.
How does Rossville fit in to all of this? To the north is Chattanooga; to the east is Fort Oglethorpe with it's
congestion and unchecked sprawl; to the southeast is the National Military Park; to the south is Chickamauga, and
to the southwest Chattanooga Valley with it's residential growth. Being in the middle offers all kinds of
opportunities. All of the surrounding areas residents drive through our city to get to Chattanooga. Tourists from
Chattanooga who visit the National Military Park and Chickamauga also pass through our city. Rossville can be the
shop, meet and eat destination south of Chattanooga. Demographics are already trending in this direction.
We must begin thinking about planning and putting the right policies in place to position ourselves for this future
growth. Part of this process is electing those who are pro-active, forward thinking and have a vision for the 21st
century.
Keep Rossville moving forward, Re-elect Teddy Harris November 8th 2011.
Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
The communities south of Rossville are now experiencing growth. This growth pattern presents us with an unique
opportunity. Our city is a city that commuters pass through. We can capitalize on the nearly 45,000 cars passing
through our City. To do this we must apply the East Brainard Model to our situation. Chattanooga is the center of
our metro area, with suburbs surrounding the central city. The last twenty years of suburban growth has been to the
east of Chattanooga, with the majority of residential growth east of East Brainard and the Hamilton Place area.
Downtown workers shop, met and eat in East Brainard / Hamilton Place area before traveling east home. This is
Chattanooga's shop, met and eat spot on the east. A similar spot has developed north of Chattanooga in Hixson.
No such spot exists south of Chattanooga.
The population growth pattern is now moving south. Catoosa County has already experienced this shift, with
disastrous results due to lack of planning and vision. A trip down Battlefield Parkway confirms the lack of vision and
the results of unregulated sprawl. Traffic light after traffic light on the parkway makes it a true parking lot. An expert
on downtown development said that Battlefield parkway is one of best examples of poor vision and unregulated
growth. Walker County has taken note of this unchecked growth in Catoosa County, and has taken steps to
regulate growth to maximize quality growth. The City of Chickamuaga and Walker County enacted a Historic Overlay
District with strict zoning requirements. The type of zoning that Chickamauga and Walker County enacted will slow
growth but ensure that what growth in the affected area will be quality growth. Chickamauga is positioning itself as
a tourist destination emphasizing its historic and small town character. Chickamuaga has the potential of
becoming the Gettysburg of the south. They are doing all the right things to achieve this goal with quality growth.
How does Rossville fit in to all of this? To the north is Chattanooga; to the east is Fort Oglethorpe with it's
congestion and unchecked sprawl; to the southeast is the National Military Park; to the south is Chickamauga, and
to the southwest Chattanooga Valley with it's residential growth. Being in the middle offers all kinds of
opportunities. All of the surrounding areas residents drive through our city to get to Chattanooga. Tourists from
Chattanooga who visit the National Military Park and Chickamauga also pass through our city. Rossville can be the
shop, meet and eat destination south of Chattanooga. Demographics are already trending in this direction.
We must begin thinking about planning and putting the right policies in place to position ourselves for this future
growth. Part of this process is electing those who are pro-active, forward thinking and have a vision for the 21st
century.
Keep Rossville moving forward, Re-elect Teddy Harris November 8th 2011.
Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Contact
Teddy Harris
TH@beechwoodnet.com
Teddy Harris
TH@beechwoodnet.com
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Moving Forward
Moving Forward
Our City Can Continue to Move Forward in the 21st Century
Peerless Complex.
Possible 21st Century Industrial Complex.
The tax assessment on the Peerless Complex was recently lowered from 5.6 million to 2.9 million. This will result in
about $15,000 less property taxes. But new industry will reverse this short term loss in revenue. The long term
potential for this property is phenomenal. I believe that if this property is re-developed as a 21st century industrial
park, we will be able to lower property taxes substantially.
Standard Coosa Thatcher.
County / City Industrial Park
The county now owns the Standard Coosa Thatcher property, this property. This will cost the city around $5,000 a
year in property taxes. If we take a long term approach, adding industry to this property will more than make up for
the short term loss in revenue. The city has become very lean, anticipating possible tougher revenue times ahead.
Wachovia Building.
Currently Under Contact. Details forthcoming.
Brockway / Plastic Container Corporation,
Recently went through a merger and have consolidated their production facilities. They have moved their production
to a plant in Texas, taking $45,000 off the tax digest.
*
A New Century. A New Vision.
Conservative Values and Principles
Keep Rossville Moving Forward
Teddy Harris
Employment / Projects / Public Service / Associations
For over twenty years I have been employed by our family owned business, H & H Furniture.
Currently serving on the Rossville City Council as Mayor Pro-Tem.
Currently serving as a Board Member of the Rossville Downtown Development Authority
Chairman of the Georgia Advisory Committee for Long Range Transportation with the
Chattanooga - Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency
Chattanooga - Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency
Member of the Chief John Ross Association
Trustee Elizabeth Terrace Baptist Church
Current Council & Mayor
Mayor
Johnny Baker
Council
Rick Buff
Nathan Bain
Teddy Harris
Hal Gray, Jr
Mayor
Johnny Baker
Council
Rick Buff
Nathan Bain
Teddy Harris
Hal Gray, Jr
Member of the Rossville Lion's Club
A New Direction.
Rossville City Council