Hamilton County Commissioners Jim Coppinger and Richard Casavant have made it official that each would like to serve another four-year term in office.

"If voters give me another term as District 2's Hamilton County commissioner, I reaffirm my sincere commitment to do my part in making Hamilton County a highly desirable place to live, work, and play," Dr. Casavant said in a statement. "The stage is set for a more prosperous, growing local economy, which will depend on an educated, trainable work force."

Dr. Casavant said he wants to join with parents and teachers "to support schools with high expectations and standards."

In his announcement, Mr. Coppinger said he also will push for education and economic growth.

"It is vital for the prosperity of our children that we improve our schools," he said. "Unlike most of the nation, we have unique opportunities with the coming arrival of the VW plant and related businesses, and we must have a trainable work force in Hamilton County in order to fill those jobs on the horizon."

tree recycling available

Hamilton County officials want people who are taking down their Christmas trees to know that recycling centers are available until Jan. 30.

Center locations and hours are:

* 7625 Standifer Gap Road, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday

* 1600 Crabtree Road in Hixson, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday

* 9525 Lovell Road in Soddy-Daisy, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

* 1001 Yale St. behind East Ridge Hospital, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday

* 4851-B Dayton Blvd. in Red Bank, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday

* Corner of Highway 58 and Hickory Valley Road, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

Chattanooga also is offering tree recycling at the refuse collection centers at 4276 Airport Road, 4500 North Access Road and 1400 W. 57th St. Residents also can take trees to the wood recycling center on North Hawthorne Street.

City residents can also call 311 and request curbside pickup of their Christmas trees, officials said.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hamilton County commissioners spent a large majority of their meeting Thursday reminiscing about 2009, wishing the public a happy new year and congratulating Dr. Richard Casavant for having one of the top business schools in the country at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Dr. Casavant is dean of the UTC College of Business, which was selected as one of the top graduate business schools in the country by the Princeton Review and one of the best undergraduate business schools by Business Week magazine.

As commissioners were asked if they had something to report, each took time to wish the public a happy new year.

Committee Chairman Curtis Adams jabbed at County Attorney Rheubin Taylor that he remembered when he "had hair."

"Happy new year to everyone," Mr. Adams said as the commission adjourned.