Westinghouse Electric Co., which is planning an expansion to its Chattanooga operation and to add 52 jobs in the process, came before the Hamilton County Commission Thursday to ask for some extra assistance.

The commission in March approved a payment-in-lieu-of-tax agreement with the company, but since then the scope of expansion project has grown for the former Metals USA building off Amnicola Highway.

"It's nearly quadrupled," said Steve Hiatt, director of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce's existing industry division.

Mr. Hiatt said the need for more space wouldn't mean more than the planned 52 additional jobs. The company was asking for a boost to its tax relief.

Commissioner Fred Skillern quickly said, "I think we should do it."

But Commissioner John Allen Brooks had questions. He asked if the company would still pay its portion of the school tax.

Mr. Hiatt said Westinghouse would.

The commission will vote on the tax break proposal Wednesday.

off the christmas list?

Attorney Robin Flores doesn't expect any holiday cheer from fellow attorney Lee Davis after a hearing alleging that Mr. Davis did not properly prepare a former client for a first-degree murder trial or explore whether his client had a mental disease.

Mr. Davis was testifying last week in a post-conviction hearing that Daniel Decker, convicted in 2005 of killing his grandmother with a fire poker, hopes will get him a new trial or a delayed appeal. Mr. Flores now is representing Mr. Decker.

Both lawyers grew testy during the questioning, with Mr. Davis at one point asking why Mr. Flores turned his back on him after posing a question. After his testimony, Mr. Davis left the courtroom.

"Well, I don't think I'll be getting a Christmas card from him this year," Mr. Flores said.

a murder conference?

Going over city resolutions Tuesday before the Legal and Legislative Committee, Councilwoman Carol Berz pointed out one asking the city's police department to partake in a conference related to murder.

The resolution calls for the city's police department to enter into a memorandum of understanding for the "17th Annual Homicide Conference."

"I think that should read homicide prevention," Ms. Berz said.

Council members and onlookers broke out in laughter and some council members stated it would give a bad perception to the city if it supported "homicide."

According to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Web site, the conference includes cold case investigation training, DNA and forensic techniques.

Dress-up day at the school board

At Thursday's Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Jim Scales mentioned Chairman Kenny Smith's attire, jokingly noting the button-down shirt and tie as unusual.

Mr. Smith, who typically attends board meetings in a polo shirt and khaki pants, sans tie, made an announcement in response.

"Before we get to the next item -- I did put a tie on, and it's a real one, and it only took me an hour and a half to tie it," he said.

Carolyn Childs, director of school nutrition, addressed Mr. Smith later, mistakenly calling him "Dr. Smith."

"See," Mr. Smith said, "it's the tie!"

Benson gets dibs on doughnuts

Council members talked Tuesday during committee meetings about soliciting and accepting donations for the Office of Multicultural Affairs and how money should not be part of those donations.

Councilman Jack Benson said he went to a meeting last week and solicited doughnuts for the group. He said he would be opposed to asking for money.

Councilman Leamon Pierce immediately said he thought one person should have gotten the doughnuts.

"I'd like to give Councilman Jack Benson exclusivity to those doughnuts," he said.

fun at 911 board

Sheriff Jim Hammond took his seat at the Hamilton County 911 Emergency Communication District board meeting Wednesday, the second time he's been a member of the board.

After being introduced by Chairman Don Allen, Mr. Hammond noted changes to the board and the county's 911 system.

"Where are the tin cans and strings that used to function as 911?" he joked. "And when did you all get so old?"

Registration open for Conference

Chattanooga's Department of Neighborhood Services and Community Development is accepting registration for the 10th annual Neighborhoods Conference, set for Oct. 9-10 at the Chattanooga Convention Center, city officials said.

The theme of the conference is "Preserving the Past ... Building the Future," said city spokesman Richard Beeland. The event is free to the first 250 registrants and advanced registration is required, he said.

For more information or to register, call the department at (423) 425-3700 or register online at www.chattanooga.gov.

The deadline for registration is Friday, Oct. 3, Mr. Beeland said.

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