People who had a way with words in the news last week:
“I’ve heard the national anthem before. I’ve been on the podium before. But this is the Olympics, and to be here, be the Olympic champion hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m not quite sure, but I’m trying to process it.”
— Hixson resident and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga student Olivia Reeves after winning Olympic gold for weightlifting in Paris.
“It’s incredible. I’m just awestruck at her breaking world records and getting gold. Just an appearance is huge enough, but then to win gold.”
— Chandra Ward, an assistant professor of sociology at UTC, on her student, Reeves, winning an Olympic gold medal.
“(They) told me that they felt like I went as far as my body would possibly let me. And, I lost it then, because, in my mind, I was like ‘Well, I’ve made it this far. I can do it. I can do it. I can do it.”
— Christy Howard on reaching the base camp at Mount Kilimanjaro.
“This affects the community more than anything else. I would consider this violent crime, but the violent crime that we normally think of — gun crimes — they don’t hold a candle to how many people across the county opioids affect every year.”
— Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp on her decision to hire a prosecutor dedicated primarily to opioid and overdose cases.
Staff photo by Olivia Ross / District Attorney Coty Wamp speaks Dec. 4 during an event at the Hamilton County Courthouse. Part of Wamp’s strategy for dealing with opioids in the county was hiring a prosecutor dedicated to handling opioid and overdose cases.“I can’t really explain what that was about. … Everybody has their own style. The president has his. And, you know, I certainly am hopeful that his style leads to him continuing to lead and be elected. But I can’t really explain what happened there.”
— Tennessee GOP Gov. Bill Lee on being called a RINO or Republican in name only by former President Donald Trump.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee speaks July 16 during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Lee said he “can’t really explain what that was about” when asked about being verbally attacked by former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)“The bus gets here when it gets here. Sometimes traffic can be a problem. It’s supposed to be here on time, but it’s kind of hard to do that.”
— Chattanooga resident and regular CARTA passenger Russell Gilbert while discussing the public transportation provider, which has limited options for receiving complaints.
“God is good.”
— Former Hamilton County sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Wilkey after he and another former deputy were found not responsible in a lawsuit regarding a traffic stop and strip search in Soddy-Daisy.
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