Movies in the Park a great success - and more letters to the editors

Movies in the Park a great success

We at First Things First extend a heartfelt "thank you" to the people of Chattanooga and our surrounding communities for making our 2014 Movies in the Park series a great success. More than 10,000 people joined us for our 12th summer at Coolidge Park.

We were thrilled to learn that Trip Advisor listed Movies in the Park as one of the top events to enjoy in Chattanooga during the summer.

The way everyone pitched in to clean up the park each night demonstrates the civic pride families have for this event.

A special thank you to Chattanooga Public Works and Coolidge Park staff, Randy Carpenter and Family Concessions, Sgt. Scott Crider and officers from the Chattanooga Police Department for helping ensure that things ran smoothly. Also, thanks to sponsors Hamico, Comcast, Chick-fil-A, Sunny 92.3, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Earth Fare, the city of Chattanooga, Lifeguard Ambulance Service and Family Concessions.

Look forward to seeing you in July 2015 at Movies in the Park!

JULIE BAUMGARDNER


U.S. should stay out of Mideast

What's going on? Turkey, which borders Syria, is not on board with its military. Saudi Arabia has the world's fourth largest military budget and one of the richest royal families in the world. Neither agreed to fly jets or put boots on the ground.

This is not our problem to fight ISIS if the Middle East will not help clean up its own mess. I'm 100 percent with the Code Pink demonstrators in rejecting Obama's goofy war plans. This is absolute craziness. If Baghdad and neighboring countries are too cowardly to fight, then the U.S. should stay completely out of the Middle East. Reporters who go to Iraq and Syria should go at their own risk.

MIKE BODINE, East Ridge


Chuck clueless on health plight

More than 700 people came to a free clinic at Ooltewah High School on Saturday, according to the Times Free Press Sunday edition. That's 700 people -- plus presumably more the next day -- without any access to medical care unless a free clinic brings it to them.

You would think that Chuck Fleischmann, who lives in Ooltewah and is running for re-election to Congress, would notice and be concerned about how many people in his district lack adequate medical care.

He either does not notice or does not care. When he had the opportunity to address this situation in Congress, he voted over 50 times to take health insurance away from people. He did not present an alternative plan to the Affordable Care Act.

Apparently, 700 people lining up for care in a single day is not enough.Fleischmann voted to add to those lines.

Too bad the uninsured don't have big money donors to make campaign contributions to Fleischmann. Those who do seem to get their money's worth.

Vote for Dr. Mary Headrick. She can't be bought.

LARRY CULVER, Athens, Tenn.


Obama will take aim at gun rights

In response to the letter from John M. Woodham: He states that it takes 38 states to change the United States Constitution, however, President Obama does not seem to worry about what the Constitution says. He has changed "Obamacare" and has granted waivers to people and organizations of his choosing. It would seem that he wants to rule by executive order.

He knows well that if he tried to restrict gun rights right before the election, it would be the death knell for the Democratic Party. But after the election, you can bet President Obama will take steps by executive order to curtail the Second Amendment rights.

RICHARD GENTER


Just who is 'sitting around'?

Reuters reported recently that House Speaker John Boehner is dissatisfied with the unemployment rate (10 percent in October 2009, a still-high 6.1 percent in August).

But asked about proposals from President Obama and Paul Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee, to expand the earned-income tax credit for the poor, Boehner derided the idea "that, you know, 'I don't really have to work. I don't really want to do this. I think I'd rather just sit around.'" He pronounced that a "very sick idea for our country."

Boehner's spokesman said later he was not saying jobless Americans are unemployed because of laziness.

Nevertheless, members of Congress should be advised against even suggesting that unemployed Americans want to "just sit around," not when they're paid six-figure salaries to work less than a third of the year. In 2012 and 2013, the House scheduled 107 and 126 workdays, respectively, and only 113 days for this year. After its month-long break in August, Congress left town last week and won't return until after the November elections.

Sitting around, indeed.

MICHAEL LOFTIN

TFP columnists make us think

I am writing to all those who dislike David Cook's column so much that you are going to quit your subscription to the TFP. I, too, dislike some of what columnists write in the newspaper. I don't agree with the numerous right-wing columnists, but I will continue to read them and keep my subscription.

Just think, if everyone who thinks like you cancels their subscription, would the TFP have any reason to continue printing what you like? As a retired educator I would encourage you to keep on reading, keep on thinking, and keep on subscribing.

DAVID MILLER, Ringgold, Ga.


EPB 'free' service far from free

On Sept. 16, Mike Pare reported the EPB will begin offering gigabit Internet service at the airport. Pare called this service "free."

Times Free Press readers know EPB's service isn't free. Indeed, your own editorial board has written before about the high cost of EPB's gigabit Internet service and about the enormous salaries EPB officials earn.

In addition to the more than 50 employees who earn over $100,000 annually, EPB president Harold DePriest once told the newspaper EPB had spent grant money "like drunken sailors" and that they would have to "sober up."

It appears they haven't. Pare's story said EPB also is planning to "provide computers and video gaming devices to show off its Internet service" at the airport. Chattanoogans are subsidizing these perks -- so while airport patrons from out of town may enjoy these services for free, Chattanoogans will not. This mismanagement comes after an audit showed EPB overbilled the city $1.7 million for power to streetlights.

It's time taxpayers know just how much EPB costs us.

NANCY PATTY, Hixson


Red Bank future at stake on Nov. 4

Nov. 4 this year appears to be the most pivotal election in Red Bank's history. This election will determine whether Red Bank moves forward with updated zoning regulations, or whether we will continue to have a glut of unrented apartments, rundown and condemned properties.

These regulations will protect all property owners, not just those with mega bucks.

Please don't fall for the scare tactics that the new regulations will adversely impact you and might lead to the loss of your property. Just read the new regulations yourself at www.redbanktn.gov.

Please do your homework, attend the forums scheduled to discuss the topic and vote. Please vote to keep Red Bank moving forward by voting for Mayor John Roberts, Terry Pope and Ed LeComptet.

JAMES A. WEBSTER, Red Bank


Abuse requires strong punishment

Let me get this straight: The man who killed the 3-year-old had been abusive before. The mother, knowing this, left her child with him while she was in jail for a DUI. Her family says this child was loved. Where were they?

Now, I find out she is four months pregnant with the baby of the man who killed her child. She must have known her child was being abused. She is already abusing this unborn child by drinking and driving while drunk. Isn't she as guilty as he is? Is she going to have another baby that's abused and/or killed by a boyfriend?

We need very strong sentences for people who abuse children and people who allow it to happen.

CAROLYNN MOON


Football players should retake tests

It is time for the NCAA to nip the "football over education" debacle in the bud.

I think every college football player should have to retake his college entrance exam without the assistance of anyone in the football program at their school. They should not have lead time to study since they "supposedly" passed the exam to be admitted to the institution.

I bet most of big college football programs would be decimated.

This may sound cruel, but it would ensure that players of every college -- whether they go on to the NFL or not -- have the necessary life skills to live in a civilized society.

As shown by the recent actions off-field, most of these players have not been educated enough even to blend into a civilized society.

CHARLIE BENSON


Utility asks fees for doing nothing

The term "bureaucracy" normally refers to organizations that have monopolistic powers with little accountability. Our local Eastside Utility District recently qualified for this derogatory designation.

For years, customers had suspended billing for their water sprinkler system during winter months when no water is used.

Eastside moved into a fancy new building and decided to either charge us $15 to turn off the meter and $15 to turn it back on, or leave it on and charge us the minimum fee of about $11 per month. It has found a way to charge customers at least $30 more while providing absolutely nothing.

It's not the amount, it's the principal.

JERRY W. CHILDERS

Upcoming Events