Hamilton County sheriff candidates will participate in a forum Tuesday at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The forum will be at Grote Hall at the intersection of Baldwin and Vine streets. The event is from 6 to 8 p.m.
SHERIFF MONEY
Andy Derryberry, who is challenging Sheriff John Cupp in the Republican primary, has raised at least $13,971, while the sheriff had about $6,000 in his campaign coffer, according to campaign financial disclosure statements filed Dec. 31, 2005.
Election officials said Mr. Derryberry appointed a treasurer early and was required to make the disclosure. Sheriff Cupp's disclosure statement reflects money left over from his last campaign.
The next campaign finance filing deadline is in April, and all the candidates will declare how much they have raised and spent to date.
Republican and Democratic party chairmen have said it may cost about $100,00 to $150,000 to be competitive in the race.
COMFORTING COTTON
William Cotton is gone, but local officials who dealt with him aren't done talking about him.
The Rev. Bernie Miller said he called Mr. Cotton late Saturday night, several hours after his conviction on extortion charges. Mr. Cotton, according to Dr. Miller, said he was "at peace with everything" and that it could have been worse. Mr. Cotton also asked him to pray for his family, he said.
"I consider him a friend, and I called him as a friend and a pastor," said Dr. Miller, who is running for County Commission District 5 as a Republican. Commission Chairman Larry Henry had some praise for Mr. Cotton but said after Thursday's meeting, the first without Mr. Cotton, that the commission probably will run more smoothly.
"He asked some good questions; he really did," Mr. Henry said. "But he kept us in turmoil from time to time, too."
MAYOR'S WAR CHEST
County mayor candidate Brian Johnson said his opponent, three-term incumbent Claude Ramsey, has a "mountain of money" for the campaign.
According to campaign disclosures, Mr. Ramsey's mountain was $31,470 at the end 2005, which was $24,000 smaller than it was at the end of 2003.
A report filed Jan. 31 discloses several donations to other political candidates and causes. Recipients of Mr. Ramsey's donations include: Democratic County Commissioner Lou Miller; state Sen. Ward Crutchfield, D-Chattanooga; and state Reps. Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga; and Bo Watson, R-Hixson.
The report spans all of 2004 and 2005. Mr. Ramsey had no apparent opponent in his attempt at a fourth term until Mr. Johnson qualified this month.
COBURN AT GOP'S LINCOLN DAY EVENT
U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., will be the keynote speaker at the Hamilton County Republican Party's Lincoln Day dinner on March 31 at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
Sen. Coburn was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004. Previously, he was elected to the U.S. House in 1994 and served three two-year terms.
Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman Bobby Wood said he expects about 600 people to attend the event.
Compiled by staff writers
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