Byran supports Glascock

Lookout Mountain is a place of exceptional beauty and a community with a valuable quality of life. The election this coming Tuesday has the power to determine the future of both. Some current city officials support the development of “amenities” at the expense of the character of the Mountain with its rich natural environment, quiet streets and irreplaceable tree canopy. Others have a wiser vision, one for the long term: addressing solid realities of steep slope erosion, dangerous storm water runoff, and traffic congestion on the two narrow access roads.

Two members of the current City Council have been leaders, ensuring that citizens participate in deciding the future direction of the mountain. They insisted on having a Comprehensive Plan designed before dense piecemeal development could be pushed through. They are Sandy Gothard and David Bennett. The newcomer running for City Council — Blair Ramey — has endorsed those same principles.

Bill Glascock, challenger for mayor, promises increased citizen involvement, stands behind the lower-density Comprehensive Plan, and has researched forward-looking solutions to pedestrian safety and the serious unsolved problems of the sewer.

I urge citizens who want to retain the distinctive character of Lookout Mountain to vote for the above candidates on Tuesday.

GAIL BRYAN

Lookout Mountain, Ga.

AMA supports Medicare fix

Your editorial misleads readers about the American Medical Association’s position in the health reform debate. The fact is that the AMA remains committed to health reform that makes the system better for patients and physicians, and fixing the Medicare physician payment formula is critical to the success of comprehensive health reform (“Corker warns of med bill cost,” Oct. 28).

Congress made a commitment to America’s seniors with the creation of Medicare, and they must fulfill that commitment by ensuring that seniors have continued access and choice of physician by fixing the Medicare payment formula once and for all. Sen. Bob Corker takes issue with AMA standing up for seniors, baby boomers and military families in Tennessee and nationwide. Tennessee residents already face significant challenges getting a physician and recently made AMA’s patient access hot spot list. By repealing the Medicare physician formula, Congress will prevent a loss of $310 million next year for the care of elderly and disabled patients in Tennessee.

Before access to care for Tennessee patients is further eroded by steep Medicare cuts to physicians, the AMA calls on Sen. Corker to support a permanent fix to the Medicare formula.

J. JAMES ROHACK, M.D.

President

American Medical

Association

Deadbeat parents unmotivated

On child support, it seems deadbeat parents give their all to trying to take the easier route instead of owning up to responsibility.

We read about parents in and out of rehab and out of jobs because they just “couldn’t do it.” The question is, if the child has not been a motivater, what will?

These people don’t want to work and have gotten away with not working. The difference is there are good people who care about others and want to be responsible and honor the need to work.

Not only do deadbeats face jail in this state, they face one of the greatest losses. After all the wasted time has passed, there is also the loss of relationships with that child or children. What a disservice to themselves and the child.

So if you know someone who is choosing to waste life away by being a deadbeat parent, remind him or her that actions carry a voice louder than anything. Remind him or her it should only take one moment to realize any child is worth taking responsibility for. If they didn’t realize this when they held or first laid eyes on their baby, let this serve as a reminder.

CHRISTINE DIWAN

Celts established Halloween

On Oct. 29, your paper published a letter titled “Halloween celebrates Satan.” This letter is not only incorrect, but backward and convoluted from real historical fact.

The real holiday originated in the Celtic religion and was called Samhain pronounced (Sow-en). It cut the year in half, was celebrated as the end of the harvest season and meant summers’ end. It was also believed to be a time when the spirits of those that had passed could be seen walking on their journey from the summerland through the veil. Feasts would be held to venerate their dead and food set out at this festival for them to eat on their journey.

There would be special cakes made and children would go from house to house and collect the cakes with the thought that the more they ate the more spirits would bless them in the new year.

Pope Bonicace IV in the 800s, attempted to convert the Celts or pagans to Christianity by making Nov. 1 All Saints Day to honor their saints. This made Oct. 31, All Hallows Eve.

The Celts didn’t even have a Satan and it’s ridiculous to associate a Christian myth with the real idea of this important celebration.

DAVID M. SMITH

East Ridge

Government should not be in scooter business

There is a rash of television ads offering motorized scooters to seniors at the government’s expense. We see an actress doing wheelies around the kitchen bragging that “Medicare paid it all. It didn’t cost me a penny.”

We are told daily that Medicare (and the government) are broke, and seniors will be denied surgeries such as knee and hip repairs, which would in most cases enable them to walk. It seems excessive to give such expensive articles to one segment of the physically challenged, while other groups are denied special needs.

I called the congressman’s office to express my concern and asked for a report on the name of the scooter bill’s sponsor and the amount of the appropriation for this program.

I have had no reply from the congressional office.

However, four days later, I received an ad from a Texas scooter provider, and it said that “someone” had sent in my name as a scooter candidate. I have had two follow-ups urging me to respond.

They should be advised that I am still able to do my own mowing, hoeing and going without a motorized seat.

But if the congressman can arrange it, I would like a new Kubota tractor.

J. MABRE ARMSTRONG