Volkswagen’s bucking economic trend makes NPR

Chattanooga made national news Friday morning when National Public Radio highlighted Volkswagen as going against the grain of other auto companies operating right now.

Talking about the financial troubles of American auto companies Chrysler and General Motors on “Morning Edition,” radio host Steve Inskeep talked briefly of VW.

“One auto company is expanding,” Mr. Inskeep said on the show. “Volkswagen is raising walls on an auto plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.”

He went on to say that, like other automakers, Volkswagen was lured to the South by huge incentives.

tow’ing the line

Chattanooga received two commendation letters from the Tennessee Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration last week for its wrecker ordinance put in place last year.

TDOT and FHA officials handed out the commendation letters just before the City Council meeting on Tuesday. Mayor Ron Littlefield received the letters, one a written letter from TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely.

“There’s no check attached to it,” Mr. Littlefield joked. “We’re waiting for stimulus money.”

The city passed a new towing ordinance called the Traffic Incident Management that makes sure all wrecks are cleaned off area interstates within an hour and a half.

Councilwomen vote no on park money

At the City Council meeting Tuesday night, Councilwomen Deborah Scott and Carol Berz voted “no” on authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to use $15,000 for a study at Heritage Park.

Reading a prepared statement, Mrs. Scott said she could not vote on spending money at this time with so many financial concerns, even if the money for the study came from capital funds.

“I wonder if it’s the time to be expanding a park,” she said.

City officials said four acres of the park were donated to the city to be included in Heritage Park in East Brainerd. Councilman Jack Benson, who represents the area, argued that his constituents wanted the area studied.

“I’d hate to go back to the citizens and tell them $15,000 held us up,” he said.

Ms. Berz said later she voted “no” because she Mrs. Scott’s comments made sense. She also said she felt $15,000 is too high for visioning meetings.

The council voted 7-2 to approve the study. Part of the study could include making a portion of the four acres into a parking area, city officials said.

Who can interrupt?

A contingent of citizens opposing a development on Heiskell Drive came to the City Council meeting Tuesday night to voice their concerns.

As residents waited, Council Chairman Jack Benson explained the process of public input and how much time proponents of the development would have and how much time opponents would have. Mr. Benson told the audience that their were specific instructions regarding council members talking.

“Council members cannot be interrupted,” he said.

Suddenly, Council Clerk Shirley Crownover dropped a book on the floor to the side of council dais. Mr. Benson stopped talking and heads turned.

“It can be interrupted by the clerk,” he joked.

billboard art winners recognized

A trio of Hamilton County students were recognized this week for their winning entries in a billboard art contest for the county’s Shines anti-litter program.

Smith Elementary fifth grader Caitlyn Maupin, Normal Park Museum Magnet sixth-grader Hudson Bryant and Loren Viera, a junior at 21st Century Academy, were winners in the contest, in which 13 schools participated, according to a news release.

Their billboards will go up at their respective schools.