A report in Newsweek last week described Chattanooga’s reaction to the announcement that Volkswagen will build a $1 billion assembly plant here as a near-religious revelation.

“Volkswagen’s recent decision to open a plant in Chattanooga was greeted with almost as much enthusiasm as the Second Coming,” wrote Christopher Dickey in a story titled, “Southern Discomfort.”

Mr. Dickey cited the city’s elation — along with Charlotte, N.C.-based Wachovia bank’s layoffs of 10,000 employees — as an example of how hard the shaky economy has hit the South. Worries about the economy are causing white, Southern businessmen and women to stick with the Republican Party in this year’s presidential election, the writer argues.

The Volkswagen plant is set to begin producing cars by 2011 and will employ about 2,000 workers.

BECK TO KEEP HAMMOND “ON TASK”

Democratic sheriff candidate Greg Beck congratulated Republican Jim Hammond, who won Thursday’s sheriff’s election by a 2-to-1 margin, but also said he’s going to hold Mr. Hammond to his campaign promises.

“We’re going to try to keep him on task,” said Mr. Beck, a Hamilton County commissioner. “We want him to be successful.”

Mr. Beck went on to say he was hoping for a different outcome in the election.

“I’m disappointed for my workers and my donors,” he said, “and for the 7,000 or so who did vote (for me).”

Independent candidates Jim Winters and Tim Akins also ran in the election. Fred Fuson ran as a write-in candidate.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT SENDS RICO RUNNING

Chattanooga City Councilman Manny Rico left the council meeting early Tuesday night, just as he was called on by Chairwoman Linda Bennett, who asked if he had anything to report.

“I have nothing,” Mr. Rico said. “Now, I’m gone.”

Mr. Rico got up from his chair and slipped out the back door.

Asked later about the early exit, Mr. Rico said he had five neighborhoods to visit as part of National Night Out, an annual event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch meant to raise awareness of local crime prevention programs.

Mr. Rico said he went to Alton Park, Cedar Hill, Clifton Hills, East Lake and Ridgedale Tuesday night.

“It didn’t look like anyone was going to talk, so I left,” Mr. Rico said.

FORMER OFFICER VISITS COUNCIL

Former Chattanooga police Officer Lawrence Goodine showed up at committee meetings for the Chattanooga City Council on Tuesday, the same day he testified in federal court on allegations that he planted crack cocaine on a drug suspect.

Mr. Goodine is fighting to be reinstated to the Chattanooga Police Department. City Attorney Randy Nelson said the city would have a hearing for Mr. Goodine on Aug. 25.

A Hamilton County jury acquitted Mr. Goodine in March of eight counts of theft and official oppression and one count of perjury.

Federal jurors last week didn’t believe he planted crack cocaine on a suspect, either, convicting suspect Leslie Allen of drug and firearms charges. Because of Mr. Goodine’s past trial, defense attorneys tried to convince the jury that he planted the crack on Mr. Allen during the arrest in 2006.

When Mr. Goodine came Tuesday to City Council, he was asked why he decided to visit the council meeting.

“I hadn’t ever come before,” he said. “I wanted to see what it was like.”

TUKE WASTES NO TIME

The day after he declared victory in Tennessee’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary, former Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Bob Tuke was asking supporters for donations for his general election campaign against Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.

“Today, we’re switching gears and cranking up the intensity,” he wrote in a Friday e-mail. “My focus is now on the general election, and while we know we can pull this off, we have an enormous amount of work to do. Can you join me and donate $50, $100, or more today?”

On Thursday, Mr. Tuke beat five opponents for the opportunity to face the incumbent senator. Election Day is Nov. 4.

MORE SENIORITY FOR SENIOR COMMISSIONER

Hamilton County commissioners on Wednesday congratulated Commissioner Curtis Adams as he starts his 21st year on the county’s legislative board.

“He is now the most seniorserving commissioner that’s ever served on the Hamilton County Commission,” said Commissioner Fred Skillern.

Mr. Skillern joked that the commission would even count the five months Mr. Adams spent as city manager of East Ridge.

“Maybe this is his 23rd or 24th year he’s starting,” he joked. “He might have built several years over there in those five months.”

Mr. Adams responded, “You’ve got that right.”

PRAYING FOR PROPERTY ASSESSOR

Hamilton County commissioners took time out Wednesday to pray for the health of Assessor of Property Bill Bennett, who was undergoing tests to determine the nature of an unknown illness.

“Bill’s having some tough days,” County Clerk Bill Knowles said.

Mr. Bennett was re-elected Thursday to another four-year term as property assessor. He had no opposition.

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