Chattanooga City Council questions come at light speed

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo William jack Benson

Dan Johnson, chief of staff for Mayor Ron Littlefield, began reading over the agenda Tuesday just before the City Council's committee meetings.

But just before he was able to read off a proposed ordinance concerning special permits for ethanol facilities, Councilman Jack Benson buzzed in to ask a question.

"He's trying to be fast," Johnson said.

Council Chairwoman Pam Ladd then piped up about the 80-year-old city councilman.

"He's faster than he looks," she said.

INTERVIEW SHENANIGANS

The Hamilton County Commission interviewed several candidates for county magistrate Monday morning and poked a little fun at one.

Emily O'Donnell, an attorney who works with Legal Aid of East Tennessee, was told by Commissioner Greg Beck about the hardships of the position. He said there may be some drunks brought into the magistrate's office who might start spitting on her.

But O'Donnell had her own response.

"Actually, some of my clients come in drunk," she said.

Commissioners laughed and moved on with questioning.

Then she was asked about any weaknesses.

"I can't think of any," she said.

"My wife can't either," Beck quipped. "That's normal."

BEANS AND JEANS

The Hamilton County Democratic Party will be hosting the Beans & Jeans Social at 5 p.m. Monday at East Lake Park.

The gathering will have a food drive for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, and voter registration applications will be available.

Music will be provided by Rick Lane, keyboardist and vocalist for The Beaters.

The event is being hosted by the Greater East Lake Community Council and will be held at 3108 E. 34th St.

NORTHWEST GEORGIANS ON STATE'S ADVISORY COUNCIL

Several North Georgia students were selected to the state's 50-member student advisory council. More than 700 students applied to the council, which advises Georgia Superintendent John Barge and the state's Department of Education.

Students from the area included: Coleter Creswell of Northwest Whitfield High School, Erica Manis of Whitfield Career Academy, Daniel Brandon Middlebrooks II of Dade County High School and Hunter Pruitt of Sonoraville High School.

The council's first meeting is scheduled for Nov. 1 in Atlanta.

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