Reporter's Notebook: Bob Corker says Senate role not boss, but still tremendous privilege

photo Senator Bob Corker

CORKER THE BOSS

Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., sat in an editorial board meeting Monday with the Chattanooga Times Free Press and was asked a simple question: Why should he be re-elected?

He said his position in the Senate can sometimes be frustrating -- even more frustrating than during his tenure as Chattanooga mayor.

"Unlike when I was mayor, the other 99 folks just don't do what I tell them to do," he said, tongue in cheek.

But he said the reason he is running for a second term is because it is an honor to serve.

"I realize it's a tremendous privilege," he said.

DUDE LOOKS LIKE A LADY

The Chattanooga City Council was talking Tuesday about the 2012-13 capital budget when Councilman Jack Benson signaled he had something to say.

Council Chairwoman Pam Ladd recognized him.

"Councilwoman Benson," she said.

"Councilwoman, did she say?" Benson asked.

"Councilman Benson, did I say that wrong?" Ladd asked.

"Councilwoman is what I thought you said," he replied.

Members of the audience immediately erupted in laughter and one audience member let out a catcall.

FIRST AMENDMENT DINNER PLANNED

Community members are invited to attend the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga's sixth annual First Amendment Dinner.

The event is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace Road. Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, will discuss First Amendment issues that will play a role in the presidential election.

Tickets for the program and dinner are $12. For more information or to RSVP, contact 493-0270, ext. 10, or rsvp@jewishchattanooga.com.

PTA LEADERSHIP TRAINING ON TAP IN CHATTANOOGA

Tennessee's Parent-Teacher Association will hold six leadership training sessions in its 2012 Tour de Tennessee. The tour will stop in Chattanooga on July 25 at Hixson Middle School, 2681 Old Hixson Pike.

PTA officials say anyone interested in being more involved at their child's school is welcome to attend. The cost is $5 per person. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the training wrapping up by 2:30 p.m.

Workshops include: PTA Basics, ABCs for Treasurers and Common Core State Standards. For times and locations of training sessions in other cities, visit www.tnpta.org.

TEACHER RESIDENCY GETS ADDITIONAL FUNDING

The Public Education Foundation recently received a $185,759 grant from AmeriCorps through Volunteer Tennessee to continue funding its TEACH/Here and Project Inspire teacher residency programs.

This is the third year of funding from AmeriCorps, which local leaders see as validation of the work. The two programs take recent college graduates and mid-career professionals who specialized in math or science and have become interested in teaching.

Much like a medical residency for doctors, teaching residents work in a mentoring relationship with a master teacher for a year. They spend four days in class with the master teacher and another day taking classes to earn a master's degree and a teaching certificate by the end of the year.

The residency program, now in its third year, has graduated 28 teachers, who teach in 17 schools in Knox and Hamilton counties.

DISTRICT 10 DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES WILL ADDRESS JFK CLUB

Quenston Coleman, Andraé McGary and David Testerman, all Democratic candidates vying for the District 10 seat in the state Senate, will address this month's meeting of the JFK Club.

JFK meets at noon Monday at Blue Orleans restaurant at the corner of Main and Market streets. Lunch is $11 and reservations can be sent to jfkclub@comcast.net.

Testerman is currently the District 8 representative on the Hamilton County Board of Education. Coleman is a retired probation officer, and McGary represents District 8 on the Chattanooga City Council. The primary is Aug. 2 and early voting begins on Friday.

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