Letters to the Editors

Young people show outstanding talent

After attending the Monday evening concert by the Chattanooga Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Sandy Morris and Gary Wilkes, I just wish all of Chattanooga could have heard the excellent talent that our city's young people exemplified at this concert.

Sandy Morris chose very difficult pieces, such as Handel's "Water Music'' and the fourth movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The beautiful rendition of "Flight of Valor,'' written in memory of the 9/11 flight that crashed in Pennsylvania, was outstanding.

Gary Wilkes, who conducts the more experienced musicians, was equally good in his choices of music. Dvorak's "Slovic Dance Number 8'' was beautiful. But what brought the house down was 16-year-old Joel Wilkinson's violin solo when he played, with the orchestra, the difficult Viotti's Violin Concerto Number 22. Joel received a standing ovation accompanied by long applause.

To top things off Gary honored the veterans with an encore of "Stars and Stripes Forever." On this piece, the brass and percussion sections were outstanding.

I hope Chattanooga realizes the talent we have in our city's young people.

PATTI C. GROSS

Limit children's visits at hospitals

Why in the world haven't the hospitals in our area taken the initiative to take steps to prohibit children under 12 years of age to not visit patients in the hospital?

What happened to all the knowledge and precautions we have been advised to do to curtain the swine flu?

I witnessed a woman with a 2-month-old baby on her shoulder and four other children in her care all under 5 years old in the cafeteria, gift shop and lobby touching everything in sight and then going up to visit a hospitalized patient.

Where is the leadership in our hospitals to curb this spread of the swine flu?

HELEN C. MAHN

Vann's Friends appreciate help

The Friends of the Vann House in Chatsworth, Ga., thanks you and your readers for the tremendous support you have given our beloved Vann House Historic Site during the last few months. State budget cuts are severe, but the Vann house is still here and still open Thursday-Saturday.

Reduced hours of operation at the Vann House impacts our local economy and lessens our ability to tell visitors about our rich heritage, but we have not given up hope on returning the site to regular operation.

We appreciate the many fine articles in your newspaper along with all who have signed petitions, written letters to state officials, sent donations, visited the site, and volunteered time to keep our "jewel" open. We are now getting ready for the annual Candlelight Tours on Dec. 11 and 12, expanded to 5-9 p.m. both nights. The Friends can do this because of people like you and your readers. Thanks again, and let's keep working!

TIM HOWARD

Treasurer

Friends of the

Vann House

Hospitals, air crew appreciated

My 2-year-old grandson, Caleb, received second-degree burns on Oct. 28. We took him to Parkridge East, and from there he was transferred to T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital. This was the most emotionally upsetting experience for our family. I want to thank T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital for the wonderful care they gave my grandson and my family.

They were so thoughtful and caring. They kept us informed every step of the way and kept our grandson comfortable.

I also want to thank Life Guard Ambulance and their Air Ambulance Service. Life Guard was the service that flew our precious grandson and his mother to the Shriners Burn Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. They were professional and kept our grandson calm and entertained during the transport and flight, which is very hard to do with a 2-year-old who is burned.

The Shiners Hospital was wonderful. No words could describe how fortunate we are to have the Shriners and the wonderful work they do. Our community should support them in everything they do. We never know when it may be our child or loved one who needs their services.

PAMELA WINTERS

Thank judge for his mercy

"O' give thanks unto the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endureth forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34.

When I think of mercy in Chattanooga only one stands out in my mind, Judge Clarence Shattuck, with hopes that in the future, pastors of all churches should stand at his courtroom doors daily to continue leading, teaching and training the young men and women who have been shown mercy and justice for anther chance to overcome.

1 Chronicles 17:10, God told David, "I commanded judges to be over my people Israel." Jacob's name was changed to Israel because he overcame.

This is what God, President Obama and Judge Shattuck all want for the people -- to overcome. It is time! All Tennesseans should send Judge Shattuck a "thank you" note, especially in Chattanooga.

EMMA M. CRAVEN

Break health reform into parts

The health care reform that is working its way through Congress is an absolute joke.

I agree that there needs to be some change. I do not think what members of Congress are trying to do now is what needs to be done. This needs to be broken down to smaller tasks and enacted beginning with the most severe issues first.

It is just possible that fixing one problem may lead the way to the rest of the problems being resolved. I have to admit that my biggest problem with the current proposals is the talk of using money from Medicare.

I can't imagine signing a nearly 2,000-page contract, so don't do it to the American public. A bill of that volume will end up in one court after another.

If something is passed, it needs to be enacted prior to 2012 elections. We, the citizens of he United States of America, are entitled to know what has been put in place and express our sentiments at the polls. Please remember, our officials work for us, not the other way around.

CATHIE INGRAM

Kingston, Tenn.

Brush pickup service a waste

What a waste of taxpayers' money! After multiple calls to 311, empty 311 trucks drive by and do not pick up any brush because the piles do not fit their limited and specific size and configuration. In fact, they are restricted to one brush pile per visit. Ridiculous!

This is a definite waste of money, resources, time and energy. Don't forget gas, oil and truck maintenance -- not to forget people power.

Give us a break, especially in the autumn when many, many leaves and branches fall!

Is their main motivation to discourage and then discontinue brush pickup?

DELORIS RISSLING