Manuel "Manny" RicoThe City Council threw itself into a debate Tuesday night about a proposed ordinance that would allow texting offenses to be prosecuted in City Court.
Councilman Manny Rico told council members it was absurd that anyone would talk on the phone while driving, and he said people should not be talking or texting while driving anyway.
Council Chairwoman Pam Ladd immediately piped in that she agreed.
"Councilman Rico, I agree with you," she said. "There should be times when you aren't talking."
The crowd burst out in laughter.
BEANS AND JEANS
The Hamilton County Democratic Party will have a beans and jeans social at 5 p.m. Monday at the Carpenters Union Hall, according to a news release.
Music will be provided by Rick Lane, keyboard/vocalist for The Beaters.
The event is sponsored by the Chattanooga Area Labor Council and Summers & Wyatt PC, the news release states.
It will be held at the Mid South Carpenters Regional Council, Local 74, at 6260 Dayton Blvd.
JUST AROUND THE BEND
At a ground-breaking ceremony Thursday for Red Bank Middle School, current Principal John Pierce said there was a special reason for the location of the building site.
"I live right behind that pile of dirt," he said.
Community members originally had disagreed on where to locate the new school, which is being built behind the high school on Morrison Springs Road.
Pierce noted that once students move into the new building in August 2013, he'll be able to walk to work.
"It will be like getting a bonus," he said. "I won't even have to start my car."
In this file photo, Everett Fairchild listens during a meeting of the Hamilton County School Board in the superintendent's conference room.FAIRCHILD HONORED
Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Rick Smith presented board member Everett Fairchild with a plaque in appreciation for his service.
Fairchild has served on the board since 1997. In May of this year, he stepped down as chairman because of health issues.
Smith commended him for what he called "a tough decision" to step down.
After receiving a standing ovation, Fairchild said, "I just hope that I have made a contribution to the school system."
YOUNG REPUBLICAN SPEAKING
Scott Maucere, president of the Young Republicans, will be speaking noon Monday at the Pachyderm Club, according to a news release.
Maucere is a graduate of Lee University and graduated from Vanderbilt law school in 2007, the release states.
The Pachyderm Club meets every Monday at the DoubleTree Hotel on Chestnut Street.
NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH
The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office narcotics division gathered vendors at Miller Plaza on Thursday to educate the public on drug addiction and recovery.
As part of National Recovery Month, Hamilton County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Janice Atkinson said the event showed people how to get help at places such as the CADAS drug and addiction treatment center.
Other vendors included counseling programs, drug court, health care and nonprofit groups.
Staff writers Cliff Hightower, Kevin Hardy and Andrew Pantazi contributed to this report.