Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 4/15/14. Staff MugsWashing away
So Tennessee state Sen. Todd Gardenhire is pitching a bill that would relieve the Hamilton County school system from paying around $400,000 in stormwater fees to Chattanooga.
Every extra penny for our schools - even those managed as questionably as ours in Hamilton County - is a good thing.
To begin with, for the Berke administration - a city government that does not financially contribute to public education - to start charging those fees four years ago felt like payback for back payments the city owed for liquor taxes. (Yes, the school system agreed to pay the fees, but, well, is that a reason or a rationalization?)
That said, we're not sure the state excusing another government entity from paying what was agreed to in a settlement is the type of precedent any of us should want. Yes, we all want more money for schools, but let's fund that rather than find loopholes.
And while we're here, we're pretty sure the last two groups we want managing an extra $400,000-plus dollars in the budget are the Hamilton County Department of Education and the mayor's office.
Just noodling around
Did you see the story about a woman in the Northeast who assaulted her husband and pulled a gun on him?
It happened in New Hampshire and led to a standoff between police and the couple after she pulled a Glock on her spouse.
What was the cause for the scuffle, which was loud enough for neighbors to hear and be concerned enough to call the police?
Yep, the man told his girlfriend her spaghetti was "OK."
Rule of thumb: If your girlfriend is packing a Glock, her pasta is primo. Her dinners are dynamite, and, well, try to figure a way out of that disaster.
A fashion stand
Here's a tip of the visor to the Southside Social.
Looking at its clientele, the all-purpose entertainment establishment took a stand to ensure its business model and goals moving forward would be met.
They adopted a dress code, and if you don't like it, here's the brass tacks. Do not go. Find somewhere else you can go looking like you are in your jammies.
Here's the code, according to the release issued to the Times Free Press:
"No backward ball caps, visors, do-rags or skull caps.
"No plain white tee shirts, sleeveless shirts, ripped or torn pants, cut-offs on men, jerseys unless it's game day or sports promotion, excessively long shirts below the bottom of back pockets, loose or baggy clothing, gym clothes including running/track suits or sweatpants, hooded sweatshirts, excessively long shirts below the knees, biker or gang colors, construction/combat shoes or boots, oversized chains, excessive jewelry, sunglasses after dark, clothing with offensive or foul messages, and see-through or revealing clothing on women.
"No back packs, gym bags or duffel bag."
Well done, gang.
Saturday star
We are routinely grateful for the efforts of Chattanooga Police Department Chief Fred Fletcher and his crew.
They do great work, and if you have a problem with the men and women protecting all of us, well, that may be your problem.
This week, though, even the police department's great talents were overshadowed by the forever-true adage that sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.
Two officers were in the right place at the right time to see two men put credit card skimmers on gas station pumps.
Awesome, right? Now think of how much headache, heartache and pocketbook ache those officers saved so many of us.
Lucky or good? Heck, here's a tip of the visor for everyone in blue for being both.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6343.