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May 30, 2005
Disputing disputes over Forbes statistics
In a story ("Some dispute magazine's data on city's crime rate" on page B1) in today's Metro section of the Times Free Press, Mayor Ron Littlefield said that "any serious business prospect looking to relocate would not be affected by something they read in Forbes magazine." Chamber of Commerce spokesman -- and former Pulse columnist -- J.Ed. Marston said that studies such as the one in Forbes do not always reflect reality.
The magazine published a survey recently, ranking Chattanooga among the worst U.S. cities in which to do business.
Granted, it looks like the Forbes data is older and less Chattanooga-flattering than the new, better data cited in the article by Littlefield and Chattanooga Police Chief Steve Parks, but two things remain clear. (To me, anyway):
1. "Serious business prospects" DO read Forbes magazine.
2. If the Forbes survey had been favorable to Chattanooga, the mayor's office and the chamber (and probably the police department, too) would be VERY quick to mention it -- despite the fact that it is old data.
The story ends with a glowing testimonial quote -- from a written statement -- from a business owner who stated why he chose Chattanooga for his business.
He doesn't mention crime at all.
| By colrus | 11:05 AM
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