Let U.N. High Commission on Refugees deal with refugees
I don't know why we're getting into such a kerfuffle about this wave of children and mothers running across our borders from Guatemala, etc. They're refugees. Just do what everybody else does. Put them in refugee camps out in the desert with no food or water and let the U.N. High Commission on Refugees deal with the problem along with other compassionate entities like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Doctors Without Borders, and Melinda Gates and Angelina Jolie! But beware, there could soon be an influx of Canadians from the north.
NANCY SMITH, Dayton, Tenn.
Understand lessons of two Koreas
For over 200 years, we have been a practicing republic of capitalistic endeavors. This has made us the country where people from all over the world want to come and seek their fortune and emulate us. Why would we want to change and follow people with socialist leanings? For a great example, look at North Korea and South Korea. North Korea, a socialist, dictatorial country with the upper establishment of leadership living the life of luxury and the common people living in dire need for the common necessities to sustain life, produces nothing but misery. This is what you eventually get when you depend on the government for your every need. It will control your life and death. South Korea, a capitalist-practicing nation that we helped set free, is a thriving, freedom-loving people and an industrial nation that creates products sold throughout the world. Our forefathers worked hard to build this nation; they did not sit around and wait for government handouts to take care of them. Let's get back to doing what we do best, being hard-working Americans, not a nation of freeloaders. Put country before party. Vote for America.
VINCE PATTERSON, Signal Mountain
Residents to pay for Black Creek growth
I am a long-time resident of Black Creek subdivision, a vibrant, growing community in Lookout Valley. Future plans for the neighborhood include extending development up Aetna Mountain. The windfall in taxes from current and future growth is a boon to Chattanooga and Hamilton County. Unfortunately, a recent newspaper article has misled some to believe taxpayers outside of the Black Creek community will be footing the bill for the Aetna project. Nothing could be further from the truth. Only Black Creek residents will assume the tax burden in paying for future development, and all taxpayers in Hamilton County and the city will benefit from this large tax base.
DR. ROBERT MINGUS
Keep attorney Tidwell as Criminal Court Clerk
A lot has been said about whether you need to be a lawyer to be the Criminal Court Clerk. It's not required, but it must be extremely helpful and maybe it should be required. The Chancery Court Clerk, or Clerk and Master, here is required to be a lawyer but is not in some other counties. In Tennessee a Sessions Court Judge did not have to be a lawyer until the early 1990s, but Hamilton County required them to be lawyers in the 1980s. Maybe Hamilton County can be at the front of the pack again and require all our court clerks to be lawyers and change them to nonpartisan, too. Courts are not a place for partisan politics.
I am voting for Gwen Tidwell for Criminal Court clerk, a true leader and innovator.
PAT GILDEA
Bahner backs Hazlewood
My vote is for Patsy Hazlewood for state representative in the 27th District. She is a proven leader in our community. Her extensive background will help us create jobs and improve education in Tennessee. Patsy has been committed to our community. In 2009, she was the first woman to be elected president of the Chattanooga Rotary Club in its 96-year history. Patsy has committed herself to represent the community with integrity, good sense and efficiency.
She will be a steward your trust and your voice, faithfully advocating legislation that will build our economy, our education system and our community. Vote for Patsy Hazlewood.
T. MAXFIELD BAHNER
Tidwell deserves re-election
My husband and I have known Gwen Tidwell and her family for many years. We've known her as a woman, a mother, a practicing lawyer, and as the Criminal Court Clerk so we feel like we're in a unique position to discuss her qualifications both personally and professionally. The Gwen we know is a kind and generous woman who loves to help people. She's usually pretty tolerant unless it involves rudeness, meanness, dishonesty, or discrimination. Gwen is always interested in new technology and new ideas, maybe because she studied science before she went to law school.
We were surprised when she first decided to run for the Criminal Court Clerk's office because her personality isn't what we think of as a politician. She's a sincere woman who works hard at problem solving, and we think people recognized those qualities when they elected her 20 years ago. We will vote for Gwen again because she has done a good job, continues to do a good job, and because we trust her.
Please vote to re-elect Gwen Tidwell and keep a good woman doing a good job.
BETH ADKINS
Longtime friend backs Thurmon for commission
In reference to Hamilton County District 1 commission race, I encourage you to vote for my friend of 20-plus years, Rhonda Thurman. On a nonpolitical note I will relate a few personal things about Rhonda that you may or may not be aware of. First and foremost, Rhonda will not lie; she is most trustworthy and honest. Secondly, Rhonda is a humanitarian. Each year prior to the start of school Rhonda and husband Don spend a few hundred dollars purchasing school supplies for underprivileged children. They never mention this, giving from their heart and never asking for anything in return. I have personally seen, on several occasions, Rhonda give furniture, TVs, housewares, etc. to persons in need. Not long ago Rhonda gave the refrigerator and dishwasher from her home to a young couple with children in need. Additionaly, when Rhonda speaks and/or works on a controversial issue, either county or school board, you can rest assured she had done her homework and attained the facts of the situation and will do her utmost to rectify the issue.
As a Hamilton County Commissioner Rhonda will accept each challenge and work hard for the residents of her District.
I therefore ask you to write-in Rhonda Thurman giving her the opportunity to serve as District I commissioner.
SHELIA NEELEY
Dean's motives in clerk bid questioned
I follow politics fairly close and try to keep up with what is going on. There's really not many surprises in politics when you stop to think about it. One person is suddenly more Republican (or Democratic depending on where you are) than the other person and claiming the other person really is not a Republican (or Democrat). What is surprising this time is that Vince Dean is running against Gwen Tidwell. She's done a good job keeping the office out of trouble and staying up to date with technology and not spending a lot of our tax money. He retired from being a state representative for East Ridge, an East Ridge City councilman, and a Chattanooga City policeman. Ok, I understand now. He must be looking for a higher salary and a fourth government pension. Like I said, no real surprises anymore.
MARY BURTON