Volkswagen may have decided to come to Tennessee because a German automaker already had a political foothold in Alabama, said Dr. Matt Murray, associate director for the University of Tennessee’s Center for Business and Economic Research.

“You spread out the political influence,” he said. “You already have two senators from Alabama and a handful of representatives that have some stake in a German auto company,” he said.

Mercedes, a German automaker, has an assembly plant in Tuscaloosa County, Ala. BMW has a plant in Spartanburg, S.C.

VW was considering sites in Tennessee, Alabama and Michigan.

Dr. Murray said no systematic research has been done to prove that the one-companyper-state strategy is used by foreign-based businesses, but said “it sure makes good sense.”

He said he does not want to suggest that members of Congress are in manufacturers’ back pockets, but they may have more of an interest if a plant is in their home state.

“If you want to protect German trade interest or Japanese trade interest ... you’re better off having those people backing you up than not,” he said.

DEFINING THE CANDIDATES

All five candidates for Hamilton County sheriff gave a different response at a Monday forum to the question of: Just what is law enforcement?

Democrat Greg Beck described law enforcement as being derived from the laws in the Bible. He said a good sheriff enforces the law through understanding and love.

Republican Jim Hammond discussed the basis of law in the form of legislation and state codes.

Write-in candidate Fred Fuson said law enforcement is more of a hands-on experience involving writing tickets, handcuffing suspects and chasing “the bad guys.”

Independent candidate Jim Winters said law enforcement is a disgusting job involving things most people wouldn’t want to see, spelling out what he meant with detailed descriptions of gruesome crime scenes he has encountered.

Tim Akins, also an independent, talked about the administrative side of law enforcement. He said running the jail, drafting a budget and maintaining civil process are all parts of law enforcement.

The forum was hosted by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s Chattanooga Chapter, the Hamilton County Voter Council and the 100 Black Men of Chattanooga.

CLARINETIST HONORED BY COMMISSION

Hamilton County commissioners spent most of their agenda session Thursday officially honoring local clarinetist Jay Craven.

The volunteer at Memorial Hospital has applied his talents to provide patients with therapeutic tunes and bedside companionship, said employees at Memorial and elected officials.

The County Commission gave Mr. Craven a certificate of appreciation, citing his music teaching, volunteer work and many years playing with the Chattanooga Symphony, Jazz Quartet and Music Club.

County Mayor Claude Ramsey, Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield and others took turns praising Mr. Craven, whose family was in attendance.

“It’s a pleasure being your neighbor,” Commissioner Warren Mackey said.

And no, Mr. Craven did not have his clarinet with him.

HOWARD CLASS OF 1963 CELEBRATES REUNION

Howard School of Academics and Technology will receive a $2,000 donation for library books this month. Dorothy Jones, of Chattanooga, donated the money in memory of her daughter, the late Jacqueline B. Jones.

The donation will be presented at Howard’s class of 1963 45th reunion on Friday. Jacqueline Jones was a member of the class.

For more information, call LeFarron Bonner at 894-9601.

PASS ON PUBLIC TIME?

City Council Chairwoman Linda Bennett got resistance last week when she suggested that the council cut out public comment time at Tuesday’s meeting so members would be able to get to National Night Out events in their districts.

“Sometimes that does delay the meetings,” Ms. Bennett said of the public comment time, which occurs at the end of the 6 p.m. full council meeting. “We can get through our business pretty quickly.”

But Councilman Jack Benson said there are times when citizens need to air issues.

“Some of their problems don’t like to wait a week,” Mr. Benson said.

Ms. Bennett said council members should be able to leave when they want. And Councilman Dan Page suggested that Mr. Benson, the council’s vice chairman, could fill in if Ms. Bennett left.

ELECTION FORUM

The Pachyderm Club will hold a candidates forum Monday at noon.

Candidates expected to attend are District 4 school board candidate Gregg Juster, District 2 school board candidate Joe Dumas, District 1 school board candidate Rhonda Thurman, District 7 school board candidate Linda Mosley, sheriff candidate Jim Hammond and 31st state House District candidates Jim Cobb and Jim Vincent.

Each candidate will have five minutes to speak and a question-and-answer period will follow, according to an e-mail from Brett Hale, with the Republican group.

The election is Thursday.

The GOP organization meets at Niko’s Southside Grill at 1400 Cowart St.

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