 Commissioner Hayes Wilkinson |
Commissioner Hayes Wilkinson: "embrace the spirit of thankfulness"
As the crisp autumn air settles in and we prepare for the end-of-year festivities, it's easy to get swept up in the anticipation of the December holidays. The twinkling lights, holiday music, the sense of urgency, and endless to-do lists begin to dominate our thoughts. And while Thanksgiving certainly holds a prominent place on the calendar, to me it often feels overshadowed by the larger celebrations that follow. Yet, perhaps that’s what makes Thanksgiving so special—it’s a holiday not driven by material goods, but by something far more meaningful: family, community, and gratitude. Unlike many other holidays, Thanksgiving isn’t about shopping for the perfect gift or filling our homes with new things. There are no presents to exchange and no elaborate displays of consumerism. Instead, the focus is on coming together, sharing a meal, and taking a moment to reflect on the blessings in our lives. In this way, Thanksgiving offers a breath of fresh air—a simple, yet profound reminder of what really matters. In a small city like ours, Thanksgiving can be especially heartwarming. It provides an opportunity to connect with neighbors, support local food drives, and to come together as a community. Whether it’s gathering around the dinner table with family or volunteering to help those in need, Thanksgiving encourages us to look beyond ourselves and recognize the importance of togetherness. It’s a holiday that fosters unity and reinforces the values that make our community strong. While the end of the year is filled with festive gatherings, parties, and the exchange of gifts, Thanksgiving stands apart by centering on gratitude. It asks us to appreciate the people and experiences that enrich our lives, without the distractions of material goods. In many ways, it’s a celebration of the intangible—the love of family, the bond of community, and the shared experiences that define us. So, as we look ahead to the holiday season, let’s take a moment to give Thanksgiving its due. Not just as a precursor to the busy weeks ahead, but as a meaningful celebration in its own right. It’s a time to pause, reflect, and embrace the spirit of thankfulness that can so easily be lost in the hustle and bustle of modern life. ________________________________________________
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 City Manager Martin Granum |
Red Bank City Manager Receives ICMA's Credentialed Manager Candidate Designation
Martin E. Granum, City Manager of City of Red Bank, recently received the International City/County Management Association (ICMA)’s Credentialed Manager Candidate designation. Granum will become an ICMA Credentialed Manager in November 2024. Granum is one of over 1,500 local government management professionals who participate in the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program. To be credentialed by ICMA, a member must have significant experience as a senior management executive in local government, have earned a degree, preferably in public administration or a related field, and demonstrated a commitment to high standards of integrity and to lifelong learning and professional development. Granum has served as the Red Bank City Manager since October, 2021. He and his wife, Annette of Maryville, Tennessee, have three grown children residing in Georgia, Oregon and Kansas. Annette is a Registered Nurse (Tennessee, Oregon, and all 41 Nursing Compact states). Granum holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the United States Air Force Academy, and a master’s degree in public administration from Troy State University in Alabama. Granum is a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel. He is a Certified Municipal Finance Officer by the State of Tennessee, Office of the Comptroller (#996). A member of the Chattanooga Breakfast Rotary, Granum recently served as their secretary. He has completed four Ironman events including the Chattanooga Ironman, and he loves running, swimming, biking, hiking, camping, reading and spending time with his wife, Annette. (Article courtesy of Bridgett Raper) ______________________________________________________________
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City of Red Bank Election: Vote for Two
The voting procedures for commissioners in Red Bank have changed. All commissioners are now elected At Large, eliminating the previous system of 3 commissioners representing a specific district. In the upcoming November election, all candidates' names will be listed on the ballot, and the top 2 candidates with the highest number of votes will be elected. You can now vote for two candidates of your choice. If only one candidate is selected, the ballot will be accepted/approved. If more than two is selected, the ballot will be spoiled/denied. *Poll workers will be available at polling locations to help and answer any questions you may have.
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When will Red Bank's next Commission be seated? The next Commission for Red Bank will be seated after the election on November 5th, 2024. There are four candidates competing for two seats, and the top two vote-getters will become Commissioners. According to the Red Bank city charter, the newly elected Commissioners will take office once the Hamilton County Election Commission certifies the election results. The election commission has until the third Monday following the election to certify the results. The Red Bank Commission regularly meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Therefore, if we apply these criteria to the November 5th election, we can expect the election to be certified by Monday, December 2nd, 2024, and the new Commissioners will be seated on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024. The first task of the new Commission will be to choose a mayor and vice mayor, which is expected to take place at the Red Bank Commission meeting scheduled for 6:00 PM on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024. _______________________________________________________________________ |
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Pumpkins for Pigs!!We are proud to be teaming up with The Gentry Homestead again to host Pumpkins for Pigs! Free drop off for your old pumpkins!
The rules are as followed:
- Whole pumpkins and carved pumpkins are accepted (even ones used with candles)
- Pumpkins that have been painted CANNOT be accepted and must be disposed of as waste
- We ask that totally rotten pumpkins not be placed for recycling since they may become more of a hazard than help if left to rot due to the time allotted for pickup.
- Solid Waste personnel will monitor roadside collection for pumpkins as time permits
- Residents may also submit a work order request through the Citizen Portal for pickup as well
This program will run beginning November 1st - November 9th, and again from November 27th-December 7th.
Recycle Center hours are Tuesday-Friday 10:00am - 6:00pm and Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm. Public Works Solid Waste Division will pickup the pumpkins at the Recycle Center daily (Monday-Friday).
If you have questions, please reach out to Public Works at
423-269-7927 ________________________________________________ |
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Veterans Day November 11, 2024 In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I, then known as "the Great War." Commemorated in many countries as Armistice Day the following year, November 11th became a federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became known as Veterans Day. |
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We would like to recognize and thank our Veterans who serve the City of Red Bank today!
- Firefighter Amanda Miller- United States Marine Corps
- Fire Training Captain Andrew Wood- United States Army
- Firefighter Brandon Lamphier- United States Navy
- Officer Brantly Young- United States Navy
- Public Works Brian Fisher- United States Army Reserve
- Police Sgt. Bruce Erlinger – United States Air Force
- Firefighter Carson Dowell- United States Army
- Firefighter Clint Montgomery- United States Air Force
- Officer Daniel White- United States Army
- Officer David Harding- United States Army
- Storm Water Specialist Derick Nash- United States Air Force
- Public Works Director Greg Tate- National Guard
- Assistant Fire Chief Jerry Carter- United States Air Force
- Deputy Police Chief John Wright- United States Army
- Finance Director John Alexander- United States Marine Corps
- Firefighter Larry Olivier- United States Air Force
- City Manager Martin Granum- United States Air Force
- Firefighter Robert Sprague- United States Army
- Public Works Laborer 1 Ron Clark- National Guard
- Police Sgt. Steve Hope- United States Army
- Officer Trevor Durham - United States Army
*Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, is a tribute to military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Not to be confused with Memorial Day, which honors those who lost their lives while in service, Veterans Day honors all military veterans, including those still with us. ________________________________________________ |
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Red Bank Fire Department: Cooking and Thanksgiving Safety.
The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during Thanksgiving. Cooking brings family and friends together, provides an outlet for creativity, and can be relaxing. Kids love to be involved in holiday preparations. Safety in the kitchen is crucial, especially on Thanksgiving Day when there is a lot of activity and people. However, did you know? Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment. By following a few safety tips, you can prevent these fires. • Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently. • Have a “kid-free zone” Keep children at least 3 feet away from the stove. • Make sure to turn pot handles inward towards the stove. This keeps children from accidentally grabbing them and pouring any hot liquid on them. • Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy, or coffee could cause serious burns. • Keep the floor clear so you do not trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks, or bags. • Keep knives out of reach of children. • Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer, or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child. • Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of a children- up high in a locked cabinet. • Keep anything that can catch fire such as an oven mitt, wooden utensils, food packaging, or towels away from your stovetop.
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• Be on alert!!!! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol do not use the stove or stovetop. • Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle. • Have activities that keep children out of the kitchen during these busy times. Games puzzles or books can keep them busy. Children can get involved in Thanksgiving preparations with recipes that can be done outside the kitchen. • Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button. • Turkey fryers can tip over easily, spilling hot cooking oil over a large area. Make sure your turkey fryer is on a sturdy, level surface and do not move it once it is in use. • Make sure your turkey fryer is at least 10 feet from your home and not under roof eaves. • An overfilled cooking pot will cause cooking oil to spill when the turkey is put in. Test the amount of oil you need by filling your fryer with water. Place the turkey in the pot making sure the water doesn't get too close to the top. Measure the water and use that as a guide for filling the pot with oil. • A partially frozen turkey will cause cooking oil to splatter when you put it in the cooking pot. Make sure your turkey is fully thawed without frost on it before you fry it. • Without thermostat controls, deep fryers can overheat oil to the point of starting a fire. If your turkey fryer does not have a thermostat, use a kitchen thermometer that attaches to the side of the pot. This will help you monitor the temperature of the oil. • The side of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles can get dangerously hot. Always use protective oven mitts. Keep children and pets at least 3 feet from the turkey fryer. ________________________________________________ |
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As a reminder Daylight Savings Time is Sunday November 3rd, 2024, this is a great time to CHANGE YOUR CLOCK, CHANGE YOUR BATTERIES!!!!!! The National Fire Protection Association reports that 71% of smoke alarms which failed to operate were missing, disconnected, or had dead batteries. This reinforces how important it is to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors each year. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! and remember this year’s Fire Prevention theme “Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work for You”!!! ________________________________________________
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Red Bank Police Department: Coffee with a Cop. Last month, the Chief of Police and leadership team visited with the public at Starbucks inside Food City. It was a great opportunity for people to engage with Red Bank law enforcement professionals while enjoying delicious coffee. |
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This event was part of National Faith & Blue Weekend, which facilitates safer and stronger communities by engaging law enforcement officers and local residents through the connections of faith-based organizations. Be on the lookout for more Coffee with a Cop dates in the future! |
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Red Bank Police Department: Now Offering Free Classes to Help Protect You Against Theft and Fraud!
Protect Yourself: Learn Fraud and Theft Prevention! Are you concerned about falling victim to fraud or theft? Don't worry, we've got you covered! The Red Bank Police Department is excited to announce free safety tips classes led by Detective Sergeant Hope, a seasoned expert with 28 years of experience in handling such cases. In these informative sessions, you'll learn invaluable safety measures to safeguard yourself at home and in public. Detective Sergeant Hope will provide practical strategies and insights from years of dealing with various types of fraud and theft. Class Details: * 30-60 minutes long * Available for churches, social groups, or neighborhood gatherings * Q&A opportunities included This is a fantastic opportunity for citizens to arm themselves with the knowledge necessary to thwart potential threats. Whether you're a homeowner, a commuter, or simply someone who wants to stay informed, this class is for you! To schedule a session or for any inquiries, please contact Steve Hope at Shope@Redbanktn.gov or call 423-875-0167 Ext. 2101 Don't miss out on this chance to fortify your defenses against fraud and theft! Stay safe, stay informed. ______________________________________________________________ |
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Did You Know?The Red Bank Police Department has a prescription drug drop-off box located inside through the side door, available to you 24 hours a day. |
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You do not have to remove your personal information from the pill bottles because everything is incinerated. All types of pills, including vitamins and over-the-counter medications, are accepted. |
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If you have needles to dispose of, please use a hard plastic detergent bottle and put it in your regular trash for pickup. The containers have been approved by the state as proper disposable containers.___________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce: Update with President of Northside Business Council Jenny Stripling. The City of Red Bank has been a longstanding member of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber consists of eight smaller Councils that represent specific local business communities across the City. Red Bank actively participates in the Northside Business Council, which focuses on the Red Bank, North Shore, and Lupton City business communities. The Northside Business Council's mission is to support member businesses and implement a comprehensive strategy to promote economic growth within its footprint. City Manager Martin Granum recently had coffee with Jenny Stripling, the current President of the Northside Business Council, to get an update on how things are going. "It's an exciting time to be in the Northside Business Council with our focus on supporting the local businesses in our footprint," she shared. Jenny emphasized that their focus is on the small businesses that are the heart of the Northside Business Council's footprint. Their efforts include outreach, recognition, and programming to assist the area's small businesses such as providing tips on fraud prevention.
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 City Manager Martin Granum (left) Jenny Stripling, current President of the Northside Business Council (right) |
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Jenny highlighted that the Northside Business Council is entirely volunteer-based, with members helping each other in areas such as recruiting and retaining members, economic and community development, programming and education, and special events. The Northside Business Council holds a public luncheon every 1st Tuesday, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Hamilton County Business Development Center INCubator, featuring a lunch and keynote speaker. Lunch is $15, a speaker-only ticket is $7, and all are welcome, whether members or non-members. For more information, you can contact Jenny Stripling at jstripling@nnhouse.org ________________________________________________ |
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Join us for the Last Food Truck Friday of the Season!
Red Bank’s last “Food Truck Friday” for the fall season will be happening this Friday, November 1st. The community is invited to come by Red Bank Park and enjoy an evening of great food and music. A wide selection of delicious foods will be offered by the popular food trucks The Bistro, Chef Chasty, Culture-Licious, Chattatater, Hooked on Minis, and Freddie Hanner Food Truck. Participating Food Trucks will be located at Red Bank Park at 3817 Redding Road. They will offer a variety of mouth-watering foods available for sale from 5:30 until 8:30pm. Clever Alehouse will also be providing adult beverages for purchase. Music will be provided by “Call Me Spinster,” a local trio creating pop covers using instruments such as the accordion, mandolin, washboard, glockenspiel, and upright bass. The Alternate Root described the trio as an “Indie Rock Andrew’s Sisters armed with more instruments and grit.” Call Me Spinster will be opening for Trampled by Turtles in January, 2025. "It has been a great Food Truck Friday season and we are extremely excited to finish it off enjoying music by Call Me Spinster,” said Parks & Recreation Manager Jeffrey Grabe. “So don't miss the last Food Truck Friday of the season and come on out to Red Bank.” Red Bank’s “Food Truck Friday” is a family-friendly event. So grab your family and friends, bring a chair or blanket, purchase a mouthwatering meal (or two), and enjoy a relaxing evening at the park. For more information, contact Jeffrey Grabe at 423-681-3077 |
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Christmas Parade & Vendor Space Still Available! We're still accepting applications for the 2024 Red Bank Christmas Parade and Festival! While we’ve filled all the food truck vendor spaces, we’d love to welcome vendors offering all kinds of goods, crafts, art, food & drinks, and gifts. If you have any questions, please contact Jeffrey Grabe at Jgrabe@redbanktn.gov Ready to join us? Click HERE to apply for your vendor permit. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! |
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 Jessalyn Claire Instagram : @jessalynclaire |
Meet Red Bank Arist, Jessalyn Claire Jessalyn Claire is a visual artist based in Red Bank, with over 20 years of experience in a wide variety of mediums. Her recent works include the children's book, Little Birder: A Field Guide to Birds of the Alphabet, and a number of public art pieces within Chattanooga. She is currently working on a children's exhibit made of cardboard, which can be seen at the Creative Discovery Museum from Sept. 21 until Jan. 5.
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 Red Bank Fire Chief Brent Sylar |
Meet Your Red Bank Fire Chief Brent Sylar.
Brent Sylar is the Fire Chief for the City of Red Bank, Tennessee Fire Department. "A native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, I have devoted my career to public safety and community service. My early education culminated in my graduation from Red Bank High School in 1989, following my attendance at Alpine Crest Elementary and Red Bank Middle School. My path into the fire service began in 1987 as an Explorer with the Red Bank Fire Department, where, in 1989, I was formally appointed as a part-time member. I furthered my expertise by attending Chattanooga State Technical Community College to obtain my Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) license. My professional career commenced with the Chattanooga Fire Department EMS Division, where I served from 1991 to 1992. In 1993, I joined Hamilton County EMS, continuing my commitment to emergency response until October 1994, when I accepted a full-time position as an engineer with the Red Bank Fire Department. My dedication and leadership were recognized with a promotion to Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Marshal in 2010. In 2012, I was elected as Secretary/Treasurer of the Tri-State Mutual Aid System, a position I am honored to still hold today. Expanding my service in 2019, I undertook the additional responsibilities of Residential Building Inspector while retaining my role as Deputy Fire Chief. In 2021, I was appointed Fire Chief for the City of Red Bank Fire Department. To enhance department effectiveness, I proposed the establishment of a full-time Fire Training Officer role in 2022 and led a comprehensive organizational realignment in 2023. I am an active member of several esteemed professional associations, including the International Code Council (ICC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Tri-State Mutual Aid, International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs (SEAFC) of the IAFC, the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) of the IAFC, and the Tennessee Fireman’s Association. Beyond my professional affiliations, I am deeply committed to community service. I have been a Mason for 11 years with the Red Bank Masonic Lodge, where I have served as Worshipful Master and currently hold the office of Treasurer. Additionally, I am a dedicated Shriner with affiliations across various clubs within the organization. Since 2014 I have been an enthusiastic spotter for the Red Bank High School football announcer on Friday nights. In my personal life, I am married to my soulmate, Jennifer, whom I met in 1999 and married in 2011. Together, we enjoy a close-knit family that includes two daughters, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. I am a dedicated supporter of Tennessee athletics. My interests outside of work include camping, motorcycling, cruising and Saturdays in the fall cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers all of which bring balance and fulfillment to my life outside of public service."
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Looking Ahead November 5th - No Commission Meeting
November 19th - Regular Commission Work Session - 5 PM Regular Commission Meeting - 6 PM
November 13th - Planning Commission Work Session - 12 PM November 20th - Regular Planning Commission Meeting - 6 PM
*City offices will be closed November 11th in observance of Veterans Day. ______________________________________________________________ |
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