The most memorable quotes in the Chattanooga Times Free Press for July 7-13:
"We keep telling (young people) to go to college and get a degree, versus getting the skills that are necessary to get a job. ... Diplomas count less and specific skills count more."
- Denise Rice, top manager at Cleveland, Tenn.-based Cormetech, on the need for workers with science, technology, engineering and math skills
"It's always been our goal that we can all get back to what we're supposed to be doing, protecting the city, not being distracted by other stuff."
- Sean O'Brien, president of the Chattanooga FOP chapter, on the news that the city is boosting some officers' checks to remedy a longstanding pay disparity
"This is a true and real possibility."
- TDOT Commissioner John Schroer on the likelihood that state transportation projects will grind to a halt if Congress doesn't replenish the Highway Trust Fund.
"We've got a big problem, and if we don't treat it, it gets exponentially worse."
- Paul Fuchcar, executive director of Chattanooga's Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, at a gathering of experts Thursday to discuss the statewide problem of prescription drug abuse