Curtis Adams Quits East Ridge, Again

Hamilton County Commissioner Curtis Adams has quit his job as East Ridge City Manager for the second time this month. Adams first resigned on July 12 in an apparent political dispute over a possible tax increase in East Ridge.

A few days later Adams was back in office, apparently agreeing to stay on board until a new City Manager could be hired. Some city leaders weren't happy about his return, and now Adams says he is quitting for real.

This afternoon he provided NewsChannel9.com with this statement:

After five (5) months of trying to work with an unbearable and impossible situation, I have decided I have no choice but to leave East Ridge City Government . I first agreed to stay until we found a qualified City Manager but I don't have the heart to be part of bringing an innocent, out-of-town, well-meaning person to East Ridge when he or she would face the same back biting, sneaky, under-mining operation I faced. My good reputation as a twenty (20) year veteran of a highly respected county government would be tarnished.

My wife and County friends advised me against taking the job, but I sincerely felt I could make a difference. When I was approached I told one (1) of my County fiends and he replied, "Curtis, keep your head low until you get your first check because they have a reputation of firing City Managers."

When I was first approached I was excited about what could be done in East Ridge. From the beginning I agreed to work for free for the first two (2) months and spend my time to analyze what was needed to move East Ridge forward. I found a city that balanced their budget for two (2) years by taking money out of their reserve fund, which is bad judgement in any government. I found a city with 18 worn-out vehicles, outdated lights at Camp Jordan ball fields, plus many more urgent needs. I also found 134 of the most dedicated, hard-working, and sincere employees that have held East Ridge together in spite of a terrible political reputation.

I started work preparing the budget I hoped to have approved by the Mayor and City Council by the end of June. I first thought a 37 cents tax increase would be sufficient. Mayor Steele gave me his approval for the 37 cents. Then in a few days the Mayor walked into my office and commented, "I want to drop the 37 cents down to 18 cents." I wrestled with that for three (3) days and called the Mayor and requested that he come by my office. At that time I told him there was no way I could make 18 cents fit with all of the city's needs. He agreed to go back up to 37 cents. After working on the budget several more days, two of my associates in East Ridge, Eddie Phillips, Deputy City Manager and Frieda Wheeler, Community Development and City Services Director, had lunch at Edison's Restaurant with me and Mayor Mike Steele. They both told him all of our needs in the city and asked him to let us prepare a budget with a 47 cents tax increase. He agreed and with much excitement and plans on what we could accomplish, we finished our budget for 47 cents.

On July 8, 2008 I spoke to the East Ridge Chamber. My speech was all about what we planned to do with the 47 cents increase. This Chamber Meeting was one (1) of the largest crowds ever attending our meeting. After my speech, Mayor Steele thanked me for my hard work on the budget as he told the group "I don't want anyone blaming Curtis Adams, he has just pointed out our needs and the amount of money we must have. Last year I said it would take 54 cents."

On Thursday, just before the Council Meeting, he told two (2) city councilmen, "We've got to cut this tax increase back to 32 cents." After hearing that I was devastated. That was the reason I offered my resignation. On the next Tuesday, I agreed to stay as City Manager until we found someone to replace me.

The Lord has been good to me, giving me the opportunity to face the facts and the wisdom to get out of a situation I can't change. Five (5) of the hardest months I've ever experienced have been struggling with changing decisions, on a lack of decisions, back biting, and no vision for the future. I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for the support from 134 fine employees and two (2) city councilmen that stood for what they know is the best for East Ridge. Tom Card and Larry Sewell stood TALL.

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