Hamilton County Commissioner Warren Mackey said at Wednesday’s commission meeting that the Chattanooga area is in dire need of a hospital for veterans.

“Maybe we can get our delegation to look to see what they can be doing to get a facility to Hamilton County,” he said, noting that the nearest hospital is in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

County Mayor Claude Ramsey said he and county Trustee Carl Levi have worked “for years and years” to try to get a veterans’ hospital in Chattanooga.

“That always comes down to a question of location and money,” he said. “We haven’t had any success yet.”

Mr. Ramsey said he hopes to meet with Gov. Phil Bredesen this week and will bring up the issue.

Commission Chairman Bill Hullander said the construction of a hospital between Bristol and Knoxville held up Chattanooga’s chances to get a facility.

Chattanooga does house a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic.

RIBBING RICO

One of the appointed members of the city’s new transportation board drew mock skepticism from the Chattanooga City Council last Tuesday night.

“For a threeyear term, Manuel Rico,” announced Dan Johnson, chief of staff to Mayor Ron Littlefield.

Councilman Rico, who had served on the previous taxi and horse carriage board, then caught some friendly flack from his colleagues.

“Got a question on that one,” joked Council Chairman Dan Page.

“Uh, just a moment,” deadpanned Councilwoman Sally Robinson.

After Mr. Johnson finished listing eight of the nine members, Councilman John “Duke” Franklin Jr. joked that their support for the nominees came “with extreme reservation.”

The City Council approved those eight members for the new panel, which replaces the taxi and horse carriage board. A ninth and final member is expected to be named later.

CURTIS HAS A COP CAR

Newly appointed East Ridge City Manager Curtis Adams got a special bonus with his city car: A siren and blue lights.

“It’s a police car that’s been taken off duty,” said Mr. Adams, who also is a county commissioner.

He said the car does not have a light bar on top or police decals, but people drive more carefully around him.

“People don’t pass me on Ringgold Road,” he said.

Mr. Adams said he has the former police car temporarily until he can get another car.

A FAMILY TRADITION?

His dad has run for U.S. Senate, state Senate, governor and Soddy-Daisy mayor, so Basil Marceaux Jr. has got politics in his blood. He announced last week that he is running for the 29th District Tennessee House seat currently occupied by Rep. Joanne Favors, D-Chattanooga.

Mr. Marceaux, who called himself a liberal Republican, said he wants to provide car insurance to Tennesseans who receive food stamps and promote preventative health care.

He also said he wants to start an ethanol program in the state using prisoners to run stateowned farms and an ethanol plant.

“We wouldn’t use nearly as much gas in the state,” he said.

Mr. Marceaux also said he wants to avoid partisanship in Nashville.

“That’s why we don’t get things done,” he said. “I’m gong to vote for the best idea out there.”

Basil Marceaux Sr. has filed paperwork to run again for the 10th District state Senate seat held by Sen. Andy Berke, DChattanooga.

GREENING CHATTANOOGA

The city is hosting a “Chattanooga Green Public Input Meeting” later this month to gather feedback on ways to be more environmentally friendly.

The public meeting will take place at The Chattanoogan hotel on April 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the facility’s main ballroom.

A flier asks for citizens to come with ideas about “conservation, transportation, natural resources, recycling, air quality, education, energy, water and other environmental issues.”

To RSVP, call 648-7353.