The Hamilton County Democratic Party last week issued a news release in which they called Republican sheriff nominee Jim Hammond a “mugwump” — the derogatory term for Republicans who did not support the GOP presidential candidate in 1884.

The term has since come to describe a figure who cannot make up his or her mind on an issue.

“By his own definition, Mr. Hammond is a ‘mugwump,’” wrote Hamilton County Democratic Party Chairman John Bailes. “By his own definition, Mr. Hammond is a man who can’t decide where he stands.”

Mr. Hammond switched from being a Democrat to the GOP about three years ago. At a forum for sheriff candidates last Tuesday, he explained the change.

He said the GOP better reflects his political views and he has always voted Republican. He said he ran for sheriff as a Democrat in 1994 and 1998 because he had served as chief deputy under Democratic former Sheriff H.Q. Evatt, he said.

The Democrats’ release cites a 1994 Chattanooga Times story in which Mr. Hammond, then a Democratic candidate for sheriff, accused a Democrat who endorsed Republican candidate John Cupp of “flipping back and forth between parties.”

“The used to call people like that mugwumps where I come from,” Mr. Hammond said in that story.

Mr. Hammond officially opened his campaign headquarters Thursday evening at the One Park Place building on Lee Highway.

According to his campaign, 570 supporters attended the opening.

SOME NAIL-BITING OVER BUDGET

The Hamilton County Commission spent four days this week hearing fiscal 2008-2009 budget presentations from agencies, and at least one of the commissioners, Richard Casavant, found some of the numbers unsettling.

“Some of the requests really do disturb me,” he said.

Dr. Casavant noted that agencies that presented budgets Thursday asked for $4.3 million more than they got this year. Much of that increase came from the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library and the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency, he said.

Both those agencies reported financial problems and a lack of funding for services.

Dr. Casavant asked county Finance Administrator Louis Wright how much of a property tax increase would be needed to fulfill the requests.

Mr. Wright said it would take between six and seven cents.

Commissioners have been adamant that no tax increase would be issued this year.

WHATY'S WRONG WITH SEARS?

After Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority Executive Director Tom Dugan told county commissioners and City Council members about the agency’s dire budget situation, Councilman Jack Benson praised CARTA for pragmatic spending.

“You don’t waste money at all on lavish spending for drapes and seats and desks and everything,” Mr. Benson told Mr. Dugan at last Thursday’s joint city-county budget hearings. “That’s symbolic of your place of values about where the money goes.”

Mr. Dugan then quickly admitted that CARTA recently put in new drapes at its offices.

“I’ll go look at those,” Mr. Benson joked. “I hope they’re from Sears.”

AN APPROPRIATE ADDRESS

Chattanooga police responded to a simple assault about 9:44 a.m. Monday outside a gas station on Rossville Boulevard. The victim told officers she had been pushed by a woman wearing a pink tank top and a navy skirt who she thought was a prostitute, according to reports.

The victim said the woman was last seen entering a white Cadillac. When officers ran the vehicle's license plate, they discovered the vehicle was registered to a local address — Hooker Road.

SNEAKING OUT, JOE?

After Hamilton County Board of Education member Joe Conner found out about Gov. Phil Bredesen’s proposed cuts to the state’s Basic Education Program, which funds education, he said his recommendation for the board was “crystal clear.”

Mr. Conner, who is not seeking re-election in August, suggested the board wait a while before deciding how to make up for the potential $3.8 million loss of revenue.

“We pass a continuation budget, and at the September meeting, the board votes on what to cut,” he said. “I won’t be on the board then, so that’s my plan.

“I wish my successor the best of luck,” he added, laughing.

HONORING LLOYD

The Hamilton County Democratic Party is holding its first “Marilyn Lloyd” dinner next month, honoring the former U.S. House member for the Third Congressional District.

U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn., will be the keynote speaker at the June 16 event at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo on Market Street, according to an e-mail. The fundraiser also will include U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C.

Ms. Lloyd served in Congress from 1975 to 1995.

General tickets are $60, with additional price tiers available. Reservations for the fundraiser must be made by June 9.

For more information, call 266-4125 or e-mail hcdp@comcast.net.