Tennessee Aquarium
I had a certain feeling of pride toward this lovely city I call home while reading the article, "Tennessee Aquarium opens new facility in Chattanooga."
The aquarium here in Chattanooga is a well-known, prominently advertised attraction, and while that is all well and good, I'm very happy to know that "tourist attraction" is not its only focus.
Continuing our efforts to research and conserve the biodiversity of the Tennessee River basin is invaluable.
Area residents are so blessed with such a rich ecosystem and vibrant landscape; it's something that I hope we never take for granted.
It's phenomenal that those helping educate the public on conservation and those continuing to nurture the regional freshwater wildlife now have a specific facility that has the potential to help their efforts flourish.
Sheann Brandon
Collegedale
Gardenhire: No Tennessee values
Shame on you, Sen. Todd Gardenhire, for attempting to bully a lady who moved to Southeast Tennessee for a better life for her family.
The senator, attempting to extol the benefits of Tennessee values, failed to recognize that one of those values is that Tennessee men don't pick on women who work for the economic welfare of their family. Another value is the willingness to offer assistance to those less fortunate. However, the senator of District 10 ignored this when acting on Insure Tennessee.
He graded himself on values of Tennesseans. Conspicuously absent were virtues such as integrity, compassion and a willingness to discuss his voting record with constituents without insults. He also gave himself a passing grade on performance. He reported he had state insurance but didn't realize it. Is that satisfactory to constituents? Not this one! We need a senator who will read and understand the impact of legislation on constituents.
Further, if the incumbent states something, we need to prudently believe what is said. We need a new senator in District 10.
Carl Lansden
Cleveland, Tenn.
Roberts was a Gardenhire fan
Dalton Roberts supported Todd Gardenhire. Yes, my dear late husband was a Democrat's Democrat. But he also was a brilliant free thinker unconfined by party lines. And he certainly had too much class to condemn individuals because they were wealthy investment bankers.
We met Todd in 2012 and enjoyed lunching with him and the late Harold Coker.
Todd shared Dalton's passion for improving educational opportunities for the city they both loved. We found him passionate, gracious and humble - a new friend.
Dalton spoke warmly of him often. "He's a good man. He'll do a good job. Even if he is a Republican, I'm voting for him."
Glenda Roberts
Ooltewah
Joe Smith has leader qualities
Studies show that most people desire integrity and accessibility in a leader.
We have seen those qualities in Joe Smith over the years that we have worked with him at YCAP, so we are confident he will continue to demonstrate them as the county commissioner from District 3.
Joe's motivation for becoming commissioner is the same as his motivation for everything he does in his personal life, in his volunteer work, and with the YMCA and YCAP - he genuinely is concerned about people and how he can make their lives better.
If you're thinking this does not sound like a politician, you're right. Joe is not a politician; he is a life-changing hard worker.
As District 3 residents for more than 20 years, we will be voting for Joe Smith, and we hope you will join us.
Then contact Joe about your concerns for our county, because we know that he wants to hear from you.
Jeff and Kathy Rose
Hixson
Greg Martin most well-rounded
We are quickly approaching the most critical election in my lifetime and the most divisive in history.
However, local elections can have a more direct impact. That is why we must elect Dr. Greg Martin - the most prepared, most involved, best civic leader with the most well-rounded experience, to represent us in District 3 on the Hamilton County Commission.
Greg has shown great leadership as District 3 Hamilton County school board representative. He has been deeply involved in community affairs, such as the Hixson Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club and Friends of Hixson, etc.
He has a successful business background and government experience. He has his finger on the pulse of the community. He is in position to hit the ground running and is clearly the best candidate.
Please join me, my family and Hixson friends in voting for Greg Martin for Hamilton County District 3 commissioner.
Melissa Baskette
Hixson
Nation in need of great change
I would urge everyone to read the parties' platforms before entering the voting booth.
Think about the untrue promises of "affordable" health care, the impact of the selection of Supreme Court justices and the loss of religious freedoms if the Democrats are elected.
Meanwhile, the WikiLeak emails keep coming in, and last week it was revealed the Clinton campaign thinks religious beliefs of the church should be changed to accommodate today's thinking and that Catholics and evangelicals are seriously backward.
Furthermore, Democrats have made a mockery of the Bible with same-sex marriage and LGBT issues. Is this their attempt to modernize the Bible?
Clinton supports partial-birth abortion and thinks taxpayers should pay for it.
When entering the voting booth to cast your vote, think about these things and the number of babies who have been killed.
Anne Graham Lotz wrote recently, "Our nation needs change. We are imploding morally and spiritually." And to that, I might add "financially."
Joe West
'Genius' could lose our billions
Donald Trump in a recent debate interrupted Hillary Clinton, saying that at least one year he'd paid no federal income tax with the comment that he was smart.
His surrogates then went on various talk shows to say he was "brilliant" and a "genius." Subsequently, from a leaked copy of one of his federal tax returns, we learned that he deducted business losses of about $916 million over many years. This shows his true genius. You have to be a genius to lose almost a billion dollars. But you have to be shameless egotist to claim that you've done it for shareholders, etc.
Just think how much that genius could lose as chief executive of the federal government. It would be huge!
Jerry Gann
Rossville
94-year-old voter finds 'nice people'
I went to vote early on Oct. 25 at the North River Civic Center in Hixson. I am 94 years old and have to use a walker. The line was extremely long, but a lot of very nice people let me go in front of them.
There are so many caring people in this world. Thank you again.
Mildred Harnage
Hixson
Exercise your privilege: Vote
Go vote!
It is your duty, honor and privilege, protected by the soldiers of many generations who fought and died for our freedom and security.
The right to vote is a very important part of our freedom. Use your right and privilege; don't waste it! Go vote!
Kathy Shupe
Graysville, Tenn.