Rethink closing the Station House and other letters to the editors

Rethink closing the Station House

Jon Kinsey, please reconsider keeping the Station House at the Choo Choo as one of your restaurant/attractions. It is such a unique concept (professional singers as waiters/waitresses -- a lot of talent). Every time we go there for the evening, it is full of people. We love taking our family for birthdays and other celebrations, and we also take friends when they come to visit from out of town, and they love it.

MEL AND CAROLYN McMAHEN, Soddy-Daisy


Robertson, Allen Offer Protections

Susan Robertson and Annette Allen came into office as Signal Mountain Council members immediately after the citizens of the town expressed their intense dislike with zoning ordinance changes which would have increased residential density for large tracts of land within the town. Susan and Annette have been mindful of the wishes of the citizens and have worked diligently, for eight years, to provide the quality of life protections that Signal Mountain residents desire. We are concerned about the anti-preservation and anti-regulation sentiments expressed by their three opponents, sentiments that can carry over to development standards and rezoning requests. A remake of key commissions and boards is all it would take to reverse the high standards that Annette and Susan have supported through their work and through their votes. Think hard before you vote, and please support Annette and Susan to maintain our unique standards and way of life.

DAVID AND MELISSA CANTRELL, Signal Mountain


Right-wingers would kill Jesus today

Suppose a Jewish man with long hair and a beard was going around with 12 other Jewish men trying to help the poor, trying to feed the hungry, trying to see that medical attention was affordable for everyone. Suppose he was preaching everyone was equal, and racism and bigotry were wrong. Suppose he was teaching things like love our neighbor and respect others and not bear false witness. Do you think this man would be labeled a "liberal" by the right-wing conservatives, especially right-wing radio and TV hosts and the religious right? That is what was done to the first man who had these views. The demagogue Pontius Pilate wanted to spare this man's life, but the right-winger demanded "give us Barabbas, and crucify the Jew." Do you think it would be different today? I think not. It could be this is the reason a large percent of Americans led by the 18-29 age group believe churches should not be involved in politics.

DON MYERS, Hixson


Ironman undaunted by tack attack

I was one of the triathletes who suffered a flat tire on the bike course and pulled a large tack from my tire. It took me a long time to change my tire which affected my finishing time. That was disappointing, but one of the things I learned as a first-time Ironman finisher is that part of the process is overcoming adversity and obstacles. So, tack thrower, you delayed me but never came close to defeating me. Tack thrower, I understand that we inconvenienced you. We blocked your roads. I think most triathletes are sensitive to the hassle we can cause to a community. The tradeoff is that we spend money in your town. We checked in on Friday, racked our bikes on Saturday, raced on Sunday and received awards on Monday. Ironman organizers deliberately stretch the event over several days. Why? So we spend more money in your town. It is part of "giving back" for the hassle we cause you on race day. So I am sorry for the inconvenience, but I do hope that the money we spent helps the economy. Maybe tack thrower will even be able to get a job.

RONALD "RON" SCOTT, Loudonville, N.Y.

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