Cecil “Strat” Parrott, who picked up a qualifying petition a month ago for a mayoral run, said last week he will bow out of the race.

Mr. Parrott, a local graphic designer, told local bloggers he instead will support Joe Lance, founder of Tennesseeticket.com.

“Joe is well-versed in local politics and his blogging is proof of that,” Mr. Parrott told Chattarati.com.

Also, Bruce Keown, a city employee, picked up a qualifying petition to run for mayor, election officials said. Mr. Keown said Friday that, after much prayer, he decided not to run for office. He said he wanted to provide an alternative for votes and, after the decision by a Hamilton County judge to allow former Parks and Recreation head Rob Healy to run, he decided Mr. Healy was a good alternative, he said.

Patten announces run for Council

George Patten, a licensed real estate broker, has announced plans to seek the District 3 City Council post being vacated by current Councilman Dan Page.

Mr. Patten said in a news release he has been a Chattanooga resident for 25 years. He started his career managing a local manufacturing plant, the release states. He also plans to focus on the growth that Volkswagen is expected to bring to the community, the release states.

According to the news release, much of his focus will be improvements to schools, infrastructure and basic services without unnecessary tax increases.

Erlanger jumps on social networking bandwagon

Like Erlanger hospital? Now you can prove it by becoming a “fan” of the hospital’s Web page on Facebook, a social networking site.

The hospital has “moved into the 21st century world of social media,” according to the chief executive officer’s report, distributed at last week’s board meeting.

The report also states Erlanger now offers updates, videos and news links on YouTube and Twitter, an online service that allows members to get brief updates from other members.

The hospital’s Facebook page can be found by a search for “Erlanger Health System,” and the same search terms also yield Erlanger’s entry on Wikipedia.

yager: no tax increase

Tennessee state Sen.-elect Ken Yager told the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club Monday that he would not, under any circumstances, support a tax increase to help solve the state’s financial woes.

Mr. Yager, a Republican who was Roane County executive for 24 years, said a recession is no time to raise taxes.

“That is the worst time in the world to raise the tax,” he told the GOP group.

Mr. Yager defeated opponents Becky Ruppe, a Democrat, and Christopher G. Fenner, an independent, earlier this month to take the open District 12 Senate seat, which had been held by Democrat Tommy Kilby. The 12th District includes Roane, Rhea, Campbell, Fentress, Morgan and Scott counties.

Jack Benson alias: “Mr. Greeco”

During a Legal and Legislative Committee meeting Tuesday, council members heard the plight of a Signal Mountain Road resident who, at times, had been kept up almost all night because of excessive noise from trucks.

Councilman Jack Benson told Jeffrey Surber, the resident, that “he made his case well, and let the record show, you even look sleepy.”

Council members laughed and Mr. Surber later responded.

“Mr. Greeco,” Mr. Surber said, talking to Mr. Benson, “it looks like you lost a few nights sleep yourself.”

chattanooga’s got the bug

Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey and County Commission Chairman Jim Coppinger got some new art Wednesday to decorate the Courthouse.

Each received a framed photo from photographer Jerry Wilson showing a yellow Volkswagen Beetle parked in front of the main gate at Enterprise South industrial park. A message added into the photo floats in the sky, saying “Chattanooga’s got the bug.”

“The enthusiasm I have in the people of this county is just overwhelming,” Mr. Wilson said. “I just wanted to see what I could create to be a part of it.”

With a laugh, Mr. Ramsey thanked Mr. Wilson for his creativity.

“We really thought you were just going to give us a car this morning,” the mayor joked.

Volkswagen plans to open an assembly plant in Chattanooga by 2011. The new plant will not produce Beetles, but will make cars specifically created for the U.S. market.

whither the agenda?

The Chattanooga City Council debated Tuesday night on when the coming week’s agenda should be discussed during meetings.

Chairwoman Linda Bennett proposed talking about the agenda at the end of City Council meetings on Tuesday nights. Councilman Manny Rico said he did not know if the agenda needed to be read at all.

“Has the public complained?” Mr. Rico said, looking around at other council members.

For several seconds there was dead silence, then Councilman Jack Benson spoke up.

“Yes,” he said. “I’m complaining.”

The council decided to start reading the coming week’s agenda at the end of the council meetings.

INHABIT party to help habitat

Internet design firm Coptix and about three dozen other sponsors are throwing a special party on Dec. 6 to benefit Habitat for Humanity.

The party, called INHABIT, will take place from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. as part of the day-long MAINx24 festival.

Beer from Big River Grille and Brewing will be served, as well as wine and specialty drinks.

Organizers also will hold a silent auction for 20 steel nails, which will be used in the Southside Habitat House. The nails will be engraved with the names of the auction winners.

For more information, go to inhabit.coptix.com.

City changing holiday trash pickup

All garbage collection scheduled for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday will be collected Saturday, city officials said.

In the past, garbage collection was collected Wednesday before Thanksgiving, said Richard Beeland, spokesman for Mayor Ron Littlefield.

The Friday garbage collection remains unchanged, he said.