Letters to the Editors

Vote McDaniel to avoid loss of black on council

In 1909, the Hamilton County legislative delegation (white Democrats joined by white Republicans), with black citizens constituting 43.5 percent of the population of Chattanooga and having a majority of registered voters in the city, introduced legislation which called for gerrymandering that was so thorough that the Chattanooga Times would write, “The Negroes in Bushtown, Stanleyville and Churchville are about the nearest disfranchised as they could possibly be.”

These communities are part of District 9. This action eliminated the only two blacks on the council of aldermen and denied representation on the governing board of Chattanooga for 60 years and district representation for 80 years (1990).

This time white Republicans joined by white Democrats in 2009 denied Rep. Tommie Brown as head of the Hamilton County delegation as senior member. Could this be part of a black/ white move to deny again or severely limit black representation on the City Council? District 9, which includes the communities mentioned, is under attack.

Should this under-represented district be lost with blacks still constituting some 43 percent of the city population? It will leave only two of the nine seats, or 22 percent.

Just as in 1909, the next election could with gerrymandering wipe out all district council representation by blacks. A vote for J.T. McDaniel is needed.

JAMES R. MAPP

Physicians are there

for community needs

March 30 is National Doctors’ Day, which started in 1933. Although we appreciate being recognized, our true satisfaction comes from caring for our patients.

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society is the physicians’ voice to the community. Since 1883, we have served to improve health of our community.

Medical Society physicians played an integral role in establishing the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners to ensure professionalism and education of Tennessee Physicians and helped form Children’s Hospital and the Erlanger Hospital Authority.

In 1969, the Medical Society formed a Blood Procurement Committee that led to the formation of Blood Assurance.

The Medical Society has promoted immunizations, fought polio, funded health scholarships and promotes community health initiatives to reduce smoking, reduce infant mortality, promote healthy behaviors and coordinate volunteer efforts in health emergencies.

Since 2003, our Project Access provided more than $40 million in health care to low-income uninsured residents. Today, 625 physicians participate. Medical Society physicians also provide hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of uncompensated care each year.

Your physicians appreciate being recognized on National Doctors’ Day.

But we also thank the people of Southeast Tennessee for entrusting us with their health care.

KENNETH HAYMAN, M.D. President, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society

Take time to tour

the beautiful Queen

Last Sunday afternoon (March 22), my husband and I were privileged to tour the dream of my lifetime, the beautiful Delta Queen riverboat that Harry Phillips brought to Chattanooga.

It was just as beautiful as I had imagined with all of its wood, stained glass, antiques and most of all, the grand staircase that caught the eye of Capt. Tom Greene in 1946 when he bought the then 20-year old jewel.

I would highly recommend this activity to anyone who wishes to enjoy one of our historic monuments that is registered on the National Register of Historic Places. And we all can anxiously await the opening of the dining room and ability to stay overnight.

Thanks, Mr. Phillips, for bringing the Queen to Chattanooga. NANETTE HAWKINS Fort Oglethorpe