People who had a way with words in the news last week:
“There’s risk associated with being alive.”
— Planning commission chair and developer Ethan Collier on regulating development in Chattanooga’s floodplains
“That is music to my ears in an economic environment where a lot of folks struggle to find workers. We have them, and that’s good for all of us.”
— Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on the newly opened SK Food Group plant in Cleveland reporting it did not have issues finding skilled workers
“When we make a mistake, I have to take full credit for it, and I do. Unfortunately, it’s human error. There’s no ‘the dog ate my homework.’ There is no miscalculation in the computer.”
— Hamilton County Property Assessor Marty Haynes, on a human error that will cost Red Bank municipal coffers $800,000
“I have no financial stake in his company, nor have I been part of any decision making by the city regarding this pilot. I even removed myself from the communications planning and only learned the details of the pilot program when the Department of Public Works issued its press release.”
— Eric Holl, an aide to Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, on his brother’s $45,000 no-bid contract for a recycling program
“I’m acutely bummed, because this (is) our route typically, weekly. But it makes me thankful that the Riverwalk is long … I’m glad there’s other options.”
— Sylvia Carpenter, on the temporary closure of a Tennessee Riverwalk wooden walking bridge
“I’m doing it for passion. He’s actually a good businessperson.”
— Knoxville Smokies owner Randy Boyd, comparing his public stadium deal to the one inked by Chattanooga Lookouts owner Jason Freier
“There are times when the clean energy groups and TVA’s leadership have been out of alignment, and there are times when we’re in alignment, and this is one.”
— Bri Knisley, director of public power campaigns at Appalachian Voices, on shared opposition to privatizing the federal utility
“He really was the big brother to our generation. He was the one who got us talking.”
— Kaitlyn Garnand, vice president of the UTC College Republicans, on the impact of Charlie Kirk
“There are often explanations for our behaviors even when we are not living up to the standards we set for ourselves.”
— Attorney McCracken Poston, whose client, attorney Alan Christopher Norton, pleaded guilty to forging a judge’s signature on court documents
Did you see a quotation we should highlight? Send an email to news@timesfreepress.com with QuoteWorthy in the subject line.