People who had a way with words in the news last week:
“Plan Hamilton, in my opinion, is going to kill the growth in the outskirts of the county.”
— County Commissioner Joe Graham, R-Lookout Valley, during a commission discussion about the county’s growth plan.
“After brainstorming all the reasons how we could end up here, all causes really just fall into two buckets: gross incompetence or malicious intent.”
— Collegedale resident Bryan Barrett on city officials’ failure to establish a zoning designation for the Bell Farms property after annexation, leaving it open to unrestricted use by the property owner.
“No city is going to actually do that to collect a $50 fine. If somebody ever actually tried to pull someone into court and enforce what they’re claiming that they’re going to do, they would be exposed.”
— Michael Lotfi, deputy state director for Americans for Prosperity, on plans by the city of Chattanooga to take to court people who don’t pay fines for speeding tickets originating from traffic cameras in school zones.
“I don’t know the mark you’ve become, but if you get on that stand or cooperate any further with these people, it’s personal with us. I love you as a brother. Don’t cross the mob.”
— From a letter accused killer Andre Grier allegedly wrote to a fellow gang member in an effort to intimidate him from testifying against a codefendant in a murder trial.
“We met this challenge head-on because preparation is not just seasonal. It’s year-round for us.”
— TVA CEO Don Moul on the federal utility breaking last summer’s electricity demand record three times in July alone as it faces a year-over-year increase in demand equal to 300,000 homes.
“It’s one of the hot spots of nuclear in the country. We have a great pool of technical employees to draw from.”
— Warren Brandon, president of Master Machine, on why the nuclear parts supplier wanted to stay in Chattanooga as it expands.
“We’d like to have things move a little faster, but the cooperation with the city and the community is good. I’m optimistic about seeing that project come to light.”
— Ken Smith, president of the Avondale Neighborhood Association, on the city of Chattanooga’s plans to jump-start a development project at the site of the former Harriet Tubman public housing complex.
“California was just going to hell in a hand basket. Just fast. The politics there, and the governor there was just destroying the state.”
— Hixson resident Bob Steele on why he and his wife made the move from California to Tennessee.
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