Judge's decision shows wekanesses
Judge Sherry Paty's decision absolutely calls into question her ability to render a fair, impartial and reasoned judgment.
By totally ignoring Chattanooga's recently strengthened animal ordinances that she swore to uphold when she was elected, she has given credibility to a proven puppy mill operation disguised as a legitimate New Jersey business; she has condoned subpar, untrained, uneducated management, and she has put the lives of some very fragile animals in jeopardy by returning them to the very business that neglected and abused them.
To top it off, she dismissed all charges against the Pet Company. Furthermore, she postponed awarding McKamey and city taxpayers the thousands of dollars legally owed them for housing and medical care.
Chattanooga citizens should rise up at this decision. The Pet Company has been a blight on our city for years. Thanks to Sherry Paty and their local attorney, Andrew Pipinger, it now has a license to keep on being a blight. When it is time for re-election, I hope citizens will vote the ill-prepared Ms. Paty out of office. Chattanooga deserves better judges on its benches and better attorneys in its courtrooms.
KATHERINE
CAMPBELL
Cartoonist goes too far
Please tell me it's not true. The Bennett political cartoon in the Sunday edition has all the appearances of a not-so-subtle jab at the Christian faith. Bennett goes too far in his endless search for new satirical victims.
CHARLES BREEDEN
Rock Spring, Ga,
Cantrell backs smart growth
David Cantrell is the man to elect for Hamilton County Commission District 2.
David grew up in a military family with roots in North Carolina. He founded and operated a business while working his way through the University of Memphis. David served in the U.S. Navy for six years as a pilot, mission commander and instructor in anti-submarine warfare. For the last 25 years, he's been a pilot for a major airline and a senior captain for 10 years.
David is committed to public education. He recognizes innovations at Brown Academy, Signal Mountain Middle/High, Normal Park and other public schools must be supported and ramped up. He believes there is a need for a career technical school to provide opportunities for students not college-bound as well.
David Cantrell is a proven leader, a fiscal conservative and an advocate for planning and smart growth. He is intelligent and interested in good governance. He and his wife serve on important town boards. He will serve Hamilton County and its citizens well.
I will vote for David Cantrell.
BARBARA WOMACK
Signal Mountain
Fields right choice for commissioner
To the residents of District 2, I strongly recommend you casting your votes for Jim Fields for Hamilton County commissioner. Having known Jim for many years, I'm confident he will lead us with a sense of integrity and excellence, while remaining above the fray of petty and divisive politics. Jim is a man committed to his faith, family, and community, with a common sense approach to life, coupled with the highest degree of character, humility, and a great sense of humor.
As a business owner, he has demonstrated fiscal responsibility and accountability, while facing the realities and challenges of an uncertain economy. I'm excited about the active role he will play as he seeks to represent every citizen in District 2.
He is the right choice for District 2.
T. W. FRANCESCON JR.
Signal Mountain
Story on drilling process misleading
Hydraulic fracturing is not "a horizontal drilling process." The July 15 AP article titled "Delaware eyes gas well moratorium" exposes AP's egregious ignorance of oil and gas procedures.
Hydraulic fracturing was invented in 1951, and during its 59-year history as many as a million wells have been fracked. Six decades of experience provides skills in controlling injection rates and pressures so as to accurately regulate the extent and location of the induced fractures.
Horizontal drilling is a recently invented engineering marvel able to divert the borehole from vertical to horizontal. These two techniques are separate and distinct functions. It is criminal for AP, a company responsible for informing the public, to be so devoid of basic information itself. Any energy consultant would catch such drivel. Your readers deserve better.
GERRY CALHOUN
Nashville
Is sports money louder than rules?
I suppose I shouldn't complain about the public bad behavior of athletes, because I don't spend anything on athletic programs. However, although disinterested in sports, I'm still affected because sports "stars" are touted as persons to be emulated - perhaps by my grandchildren.
Therefore, I object to the hero-worship that elevates athletes (gifted by birth with certain physical characteristics) to heights of adulation approaching deification.
As your reporter, Wes Rucker, notes in his article, "UT still looking into fight," it's no secret some businesses violate NCAA rules against providing athletes with benefits not available to all students. The bar owners boasted about it, and apparently have done this for a long time. Why was this tolerated, how could it have been "unnoticed," when it was very public and obvious?
The answer, of course, is athletics are not there to teach young people to work as a team, nor are they designed to assist the less-gifted to develop their abilities. Athletics, college and professional, are all about money, money, money.
Please assign Mr. Rucker to continue to cover this issue so we can see if the money talks more loudly than the NCAA rules, and long-continued infractions are ignored in favor of keeping the team "strong."
BILL LAUDEMAN
Athletes honoring God bring merit
The recent bad behavior of talented and privileged university football players is shocking and of course disappointing. Years ago at a UT game, Reggie White prayed the opening prayer in Jesus' name. I was so proud of Reggie! He was a Christian champion. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes has encouraged young athletes to live lives beyond reproach and to play well.
When young people want to honor God with their lives, we will see exciting things on the athletic fields. Remember Eric Liddell, the Olympic champion who ran for the Glory of God? Remember also David who slew Goliath? David wanted all the earth to know there is a God in Israel, and he, David, prevailed over the Philistine giant with a slingshot. It just so happens that the God of Israel has revealed himself in the greatest book ever written which is also a book of champions.
RACHEL S. DECOSIMO
Signal Mountain
Smith will provide new vision, passion
I am pleased to offer my support for Ken Smith as the next school board representative for District 3.
Our public schools face some serious challenges in the coming years, and we need someone with a new vision and passion for changing how our school board operates today.
As a small-business owner, Ken will take a fiscal conservative approach to building our school budget and will ensure cuts are made outside the classroom before they are made inside the classroom. Ken also has children in the public schools and is married to a public school teacher, which gives him some unique insights into the challenges our public schools face every day.
Ken believes public schools should be student focused and will engage parents and community leaders to ensure our schools are meeting the educational demands for all students and preparing them for today's competitive work force.
Please vote for Ken Smith on Aug. 5.
MICHAEL and EMILY
BASKETTE
Hixson
Gobble best hope to change capital
It seems to me that if we elect a member of the "good ol' boy or good ol' girl" clique as our representative for the 3rd Congressional District, it would be nothing more than "business as usual." Which is why I think the only candidate worthy of a vote is Tim Gobble. Mr. Gobble has served well in every job or position he has held and would be our best hope of exacting any worthwhile change in Washington. Vote for Tim Gobble on Aug. 5!
JOHN CAMPBELL
Hixson
Smith has shown unselfish dedication
I was the former band director at Hixson High School during the '70s-'90s and had the privilege of teaching many hundreds of students from all walks of life.
After all these years, a few students stand out as being exceptional in various ways. Robin Smith was a student of mine during her three years at Hixson High School from 1978-1981, and I guess I might say that I knew her as well as any teacher since she was under my supervision not only every day in class, but also in the many hundreds of extra hours spent in after-school rehearsals and performances with the Hixson High School Band.
Robin's character and leadership skills are unparalleled at a level that we as teachers saw rarely in students. She always worked for the highest standards of the "team" with unselfish dedication.
Robin has the character and skills that we need leading our state and nation and at a time when we need it so much. I sincerely encourage you to support her in the upcoming primary in our state.
FRANK HALE
Soddy-Daisy
Wamp serves, acts for the people
Vote for Zach Wamp for governor.
Thirteen years ago, I was a newlywed who had returned to India to get married. I am an American citizen by birth, and my friends and family all assumed my husband would join me in America quickly and with considerable ease.
However, we all assumed wrong. All the required visa paperwork was trapped somewhere in the Texas Immigration and Naturalization Service office. Trying to speak to someone and find answers became a battle, because I rarely was able to get through to someone, and then no one could help my dilemma.
I even drove to Texas to beg for help. Our first anniversary came and went. Finally, my uncle suggested I call Congressman Wamp.
I did so, and they asked me to come in to the office. They were able to get through to Texas INS office. They also helped my husband get his visa through the National Visa Center, by walking me through each step, and getting any necessary documents to the right people.
If Congressman Wamp and his staff had not worked tirelessly to help me, I would have given up! I am thankful for a leader who not only serves, but acts on behalf of the people.
SUSAN MATHEWS