Some council members questioned a proposal today to open a city-run pharmacy, asking whether government should compete with private business.
Councilman Jack Benson said some of his district’s constituents were asking if it was a form of “socialism.”
“Maybe we ought to go into the gas business,” he said. “Maybe we ought to open a company store and go into the food business.”
City Council members spoke about the pharmacy today during its Economic Development Committee meeting. Council members are scheduled to vote on the plan tonight in the full council.
Councilwoman Carol Berz said she supported the measure to open the city-run pharmacy because ultimately it could save taxpayers’ money, even if it competes against the private sector.
“Is it competition?” she asked. “Sure. There’s nothing to keep the private sector from competing against this.”
For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Cliff has worked for the Times Free Press for five years and covers Chattanooga city government. He previously covered Rhea County, as well as transportation and growth and development in Southeast Tennessee. A native of Maryville, Tenn., Cliff graduated in 2003 from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis on journalism. Before coming to Chattanooga, he was a crime reporter with Hernando Today, a supplement of The Tampa (Fla.) ...
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