UPDATED: Chattanooga Mayor Collects Bottled Water For 'Give Our Georgia Friends a Drink Day'

I live far away from either state. From what I see on the news, Tennessee has been hard hit by the drought as well, and has imposed water restrictions. It seems to me that Georgia has tried to do a quick-fix with their water problems by employing a hard ball land grab tactic rather than asking Tennessee for whatever help they can give. Most people don't respond well to that kind of tactic. Keep in mind, too, that Tennessee has to take care of its own water problems, and may not be able to solve those of Georgia without putting their own people in jeopardy. Have you watched the TV show "Jericho"?

Mayor Littleclass has shown just how little class he has. He will come begging for Georgia support for the Chattanooga/Atlanta high speed rail system again and his attempt to be funny will be remembered.

Perhaps the proclamation and water delivery would have been funnier if it were only an issue of a few yards with brown grass. But lives and livlihoods in Georgia are being devistated. Not only was the "tongue in cheek" gesture ill-advised, ill-timed, and childish, it was amazingly callous, and disrespectful.

I think an official proclamation of an appology is in order.

Also, the border and the water are separate issues. How does stealing the territory of Georgia, transform into Geargia trying to steal part of Tennessee? If it was never rightfully, legally, or ethically Tennessee's to begin with, how could that be twisted into the exact opposite of reality. If the border is the 35th parallel, then that is where the border is.

Perhaps we should consult the native Americans about the border of the land that they lived on for 10,000 years before we got here and stole it from them.

If this whole string of events foreshadows anything it is the conclusion of what cooperative relationship Chattanooga may have shared with Atlanta (and TN with GA). I think it is fairly safe to assume that Atlanta will not be looking to jump forward to any future (albeit far-fetched) plans for expansion of Chattanooga's airport or the mag-lev train proposal from Atlanta through Chattanooga to Nashville.

Ah, in fact Tennessee may have stolen part of Georgia anyways. In 1796 congress passed a bill that stated the southern border of Tennessee to be at the 35th parallel. This was never done and therefore the southern border of Tennessee is in the wrong place taking Georgias share of the Tennessee river. So i feel that Tennessee and Maylor Littlefield are all a bunch of fools.

who responded to this event by saying we should get or have access to any of "your" water. You don't have to reply, in fact, it would probably be better if you didn't.

Ask youself this:

If you lived in NWGA, far from Atlanta, but within 10 miles of Tennessee; so close in fact that you felt like Chattanooga was your "local city" because it was part of your day to day life; if you'd stop and help a fellow motorist stranded on the street without checking to see where their tag was registered;

What if the shoe was on the other foot? What if you needed water from us and we treated you this way?

If Mayor Littleman has the time to play silly games, then maybe they should find more work for him to do or cut his pay.

I doubt the border will never be moved and GA probably knows it won't. I think the whole purpose is to try get TN to help out their neighbor with a little water, which they have already refused to do. TN politicians showed how low and shameless they are when they bragged about how plentiful their water supply is at a time when GA was looking at possibly running out of water. They should grow up and have a little heart and see if there is some way that they can help. The water resources of this country belong to all people of this nation. I believe that TN should definitely use their resources to take care of their folks first, but when you have an abundance of water and a neighbor who needs help, you should see if there is a way to help them.

With everything else that is going on and our country being so divided on so many important issues, you would think that Mayor Littleman would not want stir up controversy on such a small issue. I actually feel a little sorry for people like him. His must be a lonely existence to do such a thing just to draw attention to himself. Maybe someone should send him a card so that he may feel happy and loved.

I think the mayor needs to grow up. How childish can he get to spend the taxpayers money to send bottled water to Georgia. What message is this truly sending.

As far as Georgians paying taxes so that Tennesseeans can get to "your stores (i.e. Wal-mart)," I think you've forgotten that all that does is bring money into your state (sales tax!.) Secondly, it's not like Georgians don't come to Tennessee to "our" stores. This was a comical reaction by the mayor to a rediculous piece of legislation out of the peach state. Tennessee has had the river, the land, and the border in the same place for over 100 years. The people that live along that border on the Tennessee side don't want to live in Georgia. It seems that Georgia's real problem needs to be with the states of Alabama and Florida, and with the Corps of Engineers. Hold onto your water and stop sending it down stream for some endangered fish. People are more valuable than fish anyday. Furthermore, Gov. Perdue has other options including activating a state militia to guard the water already in Georgia. Let him do that or file suite in federal court over water already there.

Seeing stupid stuff like this makes me wish I still lived in Nashville. This SE corner of the state sure is "different" and not necessarily in a good way.

why is it that bradley county schools never closed!?
there is a huge virus spreading all over TN and they honestly need to shut down the school for at least 3 days to get the kids away from each other! I don't agree with the fact that they claim to be a safe secure inviroment when they are letting there students get severily sick then they get adjitated about how many children are out. I personaly think the matter needs to be addressed to keep all the children healthy.

Since our neighbors in Georgia are short on water, why is Atlanta still being developed at astonishing rates? It seems to me, that the officials in office in the planning, and development boards should be questioned. These same officials only saw the dollar signs that come with the development of revenue from big corporations, and didn't figure that the resources could not support the increase. Now after 200 years, Georgia wants to move the state line to gain access to more water. The boarder should have been disputed then, not 200 years later. Fire all of the ignorant planning/development officials for new ones with brains, and stop the astronomical development of Atlanta. Your resources would go a long way.

As far as having property rights on the river, Georgia is only 300 feet short of it now. There is a rather large waterway feeding the river at that point that back flows well in to Georgia. Any water pumped from here would directly come out of the river.

I would like to see the state line moved tho. It would be nice to be able to go fishing for $6 a year instead of the highway robery Tennessee charges.

For the same reason us "Georgians" have to pay taxes to have the roads paved so you "Tennesseeans" can get over here to go to our stores (WalMart, ie..)

This whole thing is PETTY! If you don't want to share your resources with us, stay in Tennessee!

why do us chattanoogans have to spend our HARD EARNED MONEY on water for georgia????????? I am not givin nothin to nobody!

I am disapointed with the lack of respect Mayor Littlefield has displayed. To use the Word of God as if it is a weapon against fellow citizens of these United States is unbelievable. Even in jest or maybe because it was, I assume, in jest shows his character and lack of respect to the Bible.
I too, am a Georgian who does not believe the actions taken by our Legislature was of any value. But please don't use what is Precious (The Bible) to attack your fellow man.

First of all, how would you like to be held responsible for everything your legislators do? If we are going to lump all "Georgians" and "humorles" "thieves" without "honor", then that is the POT calling the KETTLE black given the recent TN Waltz investigations, Billy Long's indictment.....

If you live in a glass house, you probably shouldn't throw rocks!

How's that for a sense of humor?

The lack of water has dried up their sense of humor.

Kudos to Mayor Littlefield. A little bit of levity is most welcome in times like this.

Remember, this is an election year. After November 7, the state legislature will step back from demanding that you 'heartless' Tennesseeans let us siphon your water.

It's obvious from the initial comments here that the folks in Georgia who want to steal Chattanooga's resources have neither honor nor a sense of humor.

Get over yourselves!

One bad political stunt by the Georgia legislature does not deserve another stupid stunt by the Mayor of Chattanooga. Grow up and quit wasting our tax money on these useless shows.

Grow up Mayor littlefield.And to the Chattanooga Choo Choo you need to be spending your money on updates to the Choo Choo ,its the one that needs the help.

Mayor Littlefield, Get over it with the high school pranks. Think of the example your setting, just imagine the media coverage across the US. What a great example! A little usage of the land won't hurt us.

Congratulations Chattanooga! Apparently you've elected a Mayor in Ron Littlefield that has solved all of your problems and you all now live in a state of nirvana.

I am sure that the tax money you pay was well spent for the hours, possibly days or weeks, that he spent working on this ingenious "proclamation" and water drive. I know your hearts swell with pride at his accomplishments.

As a Georgian living on the state line, I am not only insulted and offended by this action, but I am genuinely disappointed by the lack of respect for humanity displayed by this action. I never agreed with the steps the Georgia legislature has taken, I think it is silly as well...however now, I feel as if I must take a stand with them since Mayor Littlefield has now made this an "US" against "THEM" battle.

By the way my family spends at least 80% of our disposable income in Chattanooga)

I pray for you Chattanoogans that you aren't hit by any type of natural disaster anytime in the next 50 years. You'll be hard pressed to get any help from your "neighbors".

And to close I'd say: CAN ANYONE IN OUR LOCAL, STATE or FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS DISPLAY BEHAVIOR ON A CONSISTENT BASIS THAT IS MORE MATURE THAN A 2 YEAR OLD?

In my opinion Georgia is wrong to try to move the state line as well as anyone is wrong to withhold water because of an imaginary line. But as I read a surgeon once said-when operating on a politician there is no heart and no brain but the head and ass are interchangable Mr. Littlefield.

Georgia is just trying to get our river and our boundaries have been established for a long time. Georgia should consider how they do things. I think this is a good gesture it may not help a lot but it is something.

That is pure D Shenanigans. Also, it is in poor taste, considering how desperate Georgia is. Shame on you City of Chattanooga Administration. You showed exactly how you have NO HEART.

How foolish can you get? If you want to donate water, how about sending it to the communities recently devastaed by the severe storms? Some hard hit areas in our own backyard will not be declared disaster areas because of economics and need our assistance.

Making this rediculous gesture to Georgia just gives credence to the embarassingly futile attempt by Georgia legislators grandstand moves.