With the County Commission’s blessing and appreciation, Volkswagen of America has added a double case of “fahrvergneugen” (German for the joy of driving) to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department. During Thursday morning’s commission meeting the commissioners voted unanimously to authorize County Mayor Claude Ramsey to accept two Jetta station wagons from the one of the county’s newest residents. The vehicles will be assigned to traffic enforcement and, according to Mayor Ramsey, should maintain a high profile on the roads throughout the area.

Volkswagen also donated two of the vehicles to the Chattanooga Police Department, which are valued at $28,000 each.

On another matter, the commission voted to purchase approximately 40 800-megahertz portable radios for use with Homeland Security incidents throughout the county and with Homeland Security District #3. The radios will provide necessary communication back-up for first responders, such as ambulance crews. The funding came about when Marion County chose not to exercise their grant option. According to Commissioner Jim Coppinger, former Chattanooga Fire Chief, the purchase is a win/win for our community taxpayers.

The commission voted unanimously to continue the contract of Elaine Kelly as the coordinator of the Hamilton County Drug Court, as well as to accept a bid from Construction Consultants totaling $4,282,000 for the renovation of the Business Development Center on the North Shore of Chattanooga. This is a business incubator where young enterprises can come in for growth. Commissioner John Brooks remarked, “This has been very successful for our county.”

Commissioner Coppinger recognized the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department for their Neighborhood Watch program and for including the various commissioners in their district meetings, saying, “The tips they offer to citizens are very important and well-received.”

Mayor Ramsey made mention of the recent graduation of Reserve Deputy Sheriffs, offering his thanks to these volunteers who help out with law enforcement. He also announced that the new Exit 9 off of I-75 will open for traffic on Friday morning at 10 a.m. This exit to Interstate South will eventually allow the interstate to tie in with Highway 58.

Closing remarks were offered by Commission Chairman Fred Skillern who offered his thanks and praise to Deputy Chief Alan Branum for help in clearing out some undesirable situations in his own neighborhood. He also announced that one hundred UTC students would be in attendance at the next commission meeting on August 26.

Final remarks were reserved for the recent Open Records Law training received by the county. Mr. Skillern stated that all requests for paperwork from the commissioners would be handled by Beverly at the front desk of the commission office. Copies may be requested at the suggested state rates per copy.

(Email Dennis Norwood at sportswriter56@comcast.net; follow him on Twitter at DennisENorwood)