A local blogger has stopped writing on his Web site and will make a run for mayor of Chattanooga.

Joe Lance, blogger for Tennesseeticket.com, picked up qualifying papers last week at the Hamilton County Election Commission, election officials said.

Mr. Lance posted on his Web site that he will discontinue blogging as he seeks the city’s top post. He stated on his blog that he hopes to encourage others to get involved with government.

“I love the city of Chattanooga and believe that the best way to build on its recent successes, and to make this an even greater city for all of its residents and visitors, is to involve as many willing participants as possible in defining what we’re doing next — and doing it,” he wrote.

to bridge or not to bridge

Volkswagen will continue to build its assembly plant at Enterprise South whether a toll bridge connecting Soddy-Daisy and Harrison is built over the Tennessee River, Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey said.

“It will not directly affect this project in any way,” he told county commissioners Thursday.

Commissioner Warren Mackey asked whether there was a chance the bridge could be built without having to have a toll. Mr. Ramsey said that’s unlikely.

The bridge may make Enterprise South more convenient to people who live on the Soddy-Daisy side of the river, Mr. Ramsey said, but he noted that the industrial park is not very far from Tennessee Highway 153, which has a bridge over the river.

Still, Mr. Ramsey said he hopes the North Hamilton County bridge is built.

“That particular bridge will be built sometime,” Mr. Ramsey said. “It may not be in my lifetime, but at some point it makes sense to do it. And I hope it’s sooner rather than later.”

In January, the Tennessee Department of Transportation will present to the General Assembly two possible tolling projects. The Hamilton County project still is in the running.

bailes steps down as dem chairman

Hamilton County Democratic Party Chairman John Bailes announced Friday that he will not seek another term as chairman.

“In March, I will leave with sadness but also great hope,” he wrote in an e-mail statement. “For over the next four years, President Barack Obama and the new Democratic majorities in the U.S. Congress will provide more opportunity for change.”

While Democrats won larger majorities in Congress in this year’s election, Republicans took control of both houses of Tennessee’s legislature for the first time since Reconstruction.

Mr. Bailes has been county party chairman since 2006. That same year, he ran unsuccessfully for County Commission against incumbent Commissioner Curtis Adams.

huckabee coming back

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who won Tennessee’s and Georgia’s Republican presidential primaries in February, is visiting Chattanooga for the second time this year.

He’ll be in town on Nov. 30 as part of his tour to promote his book, “Do the Right Thing,” which is about his presidential run and his ideas for the United States’ political future. Mr. Huckabee will appear at the Books-A-Million on Gunbarrel Road from 3-4 p.m.

Mr. Huckabee and actor Chuck Norris, supported the former governor’s presidential bid, visited Chattanooga for a rally the day before Tennessee’s Feb. 5 primary.

Leaf collection beginning

Chattanooga began leaf collection last week, city officials said.

Richard Beeland, spokesman for Mayor Ron Littlefield, said leaf collection began in Area 2 this week. Area 2 is west of Highway 153 and east of Interstate 75, Crest Road, Campbell Street and Bonny Oaks Drive.

Crews will be out in Chattanooga over the coming months as leaves begin to collect, Mr. Beeland said. He noted that bagged leaves are collected at the curbside more quickly than loose leaves.

For more information on leaf collection, call 311 or visit www.chattanooga.gov.

Market Street Bridge closed today

The Market Street Bridge will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic today from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. to complete the final testing of the bridge mechanics, the Tennessee Department of Transportation said.

During that time, Veterans Bridge or Olgati Bridge should be used, TDOT spokeswoman Jennifer Flynn said.

gilbert, peace honored

Hamilton County residents Russell Gilbert and Emily Peace were among 65 Tennesseans honored last month at Gov. Phil Bredesen’s inaugural Volunteer Stars Awards, according to a news release.

Mr. Gilbert received the Adult Volunteer Stars Award for his community service work. Mr. Gilbert’s nonprofit group, Angels in Flight Inc., helps disadvantaged children.

He recently won the City Council District 5 seat and is to be sworn in Tuesday.

Ms. Peace won for her work with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County, which serves children who have been sexually or physically abused.

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