Walter Mondale’s death triggered memories from Bill Young. In 1982, Mondale stumped for Jim Cooper (against Republican Cissy Baker) in Morristown, and Bill spent hours stuffing envelopes for the event. Got himself a “tennis elbow.” When told after the speech, Mondale said: “Jim ought to give this fellow a Cooper for Congress Purple Heart.”
Jim Cooper and Cissy Baker were political neophytes with strong pedigrees – his dad had been governor and her dad was Howard Jr. Both were issue-oriented, somewhat stodgy campaigners. After a joint appearance at the Morristown Rotary, the moderator allowed: “After listening to this debate all I can say is ‘I now pronounce you man and wife.’”
Chattanooga has a new mayor. Tim Kelly, who left the Republican Party after Donald Trump was nominated in 2016, beat Chamber-backed Kim White by 20 points on April 13. Kelly had only a one-point margin over White in the March 2 primary, but pulled support from the Black community including third-place finisher Wade Hinton, according to the TN Journal.
Pellissippi State Community College will reopen its drive-thru Covid vaccination clinic on its Blount County Campus Friday, April 23, with the Moderna vaccine instead of Janssen/Johnson & Johnson. Info: www.pstcc.edu/vaccine.
Fort Sanders West’s drive-thru Covid vaccine clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. M-F. Hours have been extended to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 26. Make an appointment in advance by calling 865-374-6159 between 8 and 4:30 M-F or online any time at CovenantHealth.com/vaccine.