posted September 21, 2005
The County Commission on Wednesday approved all but two recommendations from the Tourist Development Agency amid charges of racism by Commissioner William Cotton.
Commissioner Cotton said treatment of black groups seeking funds from the TDA was an example of "pure racism all the way down the line."
He said funds were recommended for approval for a storytelling festival and a soccer tournament.
Commissioner Cotton, apparently referring to Commissioner Fred Skillern, said, "Are you going to bring half of Soddy-Daisy down to hear the storytelling?"
The commission did approve $10,000 for the African American Chamber of Commerce for the Choo Choo Multi-Cultural Festival and $5,998 for the Choo Choo Bowl Football Tournament involving teams from mostly black schools.
The commission also approved $100,000 for the Convention and Visitors Bureau of the Head of the Hooch Rowing Tournament, $75,000 for the Greater Chattanooga Sports and Events Committee, $25,000 for a new soccer tournament to be operated by the Greater Chattanooga Sports and Events Committee, and $249,815 for the operational deficit of the Convention Center.
The commission did not approve $25,000 for the RiverCity Company for holiday lighting and $36,500 for the RiverCity Company for Storytelling on the River.
The funds that are being allocated come from the hotel-motel tax.
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