Letters to the Editor - 2

Swafford helpful in court cases

Re-elect Ron Swafford to The Hamilton County Juvenile Court Clerk's Office on Thursday. I have known Ron Swafford for the past 30 years, and he is a man of integrity and honesty.

Ron has always helped me and other police officers when we had cases in Juvenile Court. If you had any questions he could always answer them for you. He is extremely knowledgeable about the Juvenile Court system, and he always had the time to talk with victims of crimes and defendants' parents to try to get their children on the right track after their cases had been heard.

I am a retired police sergeant with the Chattanooga Police Department and I worked with his brother, Stan Swafford, also a retired from the Chattanooga Police Department. Ron, Stan and I have remained good friends for the past 30-plus years. I am also a Republican where Ron is a Democrat, and I urge the Republicans and Democrats to vote for Ron Swafford on Thursday.

SGT. RALPH S. BROWN

Flintstone, Ga.


Boyd right choice for District 8

We are fortunate in the 8th District to have a man running who has a vision to improve our area and make it a prosperous place to live. We could see lower taxes and good-paying jobs. That man is Tim Boyd. He has an engineering degree from UT, is a small-business owner and knows how to meet a payroll. He will work for the citizens of District 8 and not for special-interest groups. We can be sure to count on an honest person being our leader for our area I urge you to vote on Aug. 5 for Tim Boyd, a Republican running for dommissioner of District 8.

MARY K. LIEBE

East Ridge


Haynes a voice of common sense

I had the privilege to be a teacher in the Hamilton County school system for 32 years and had the amazing opportunity to be named the Tennessee Teacher of the Year in 2008. I understand the importance of having the most qualified people on our school board, and I believe Marty Haynes has a wealth of strengths which truly set him above the other candidates.

He earned my respect as an involved parent who spent countless hours working at and for the schools in Hixson to help create the best learning environment possible for the students.

Marty is committed to the Hixson community and his alma mater, Hixson High, where he has been named to the Hall of Fame and is a vital part of the alumni program. I have also seen Marty step up as a champion of teachers and administrators alike. I truly believe that Marty Haynes will be my voice and yours on the school board, a voice of common sense and vision.

PAMELA RECTOR

Hixson


Newspaper omits 'rest of the story'

I'm a voter in District 8. I read the article in the Chattanooga Times Free Press discussing independence with the candidates. While they discussed all the candidates running for District 8 commissioner, they blatantly omitted candidate Jim Winters. I could believe this to have been an oversight, had they not also omitted his nomination by the police union (IBPO) international Brotherhood of Police Officers too.

I guess they didn't want anyone to know any union supported him and not the other candidate. It might have been an embarrassment for the candidate they are supporting.

It seems they report only what or who they support and report the rest of the news or fail to report "the rest of the story" for their benefit.

We expect to receive our news reports without bias so we can make informed decisions which candidate is most qualified.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press is just another controlling factor to the good ole boy system of politics in Chattanooga. If we keep electing the candidates they choose we will continue with the same ole in Hamilton County. I will not back any candidate they choose to endorse.

PAUL WOOD


Atherton devotion to others admirable

I am deployed to Afghanistan right now, but my home is Chattanooga. I am writing because a man who has had a profound effect on my life, and on the lives of countless others, will be on the ballot in the upcoming primary election as a candidate for Chancery Court judge.

Despite the time away from his supportive family and the impact on his billable hours, Jeffrey M. Atherton (or Mr. A as he is known to us) spent eight-plus hours per week for more than 20 years pouring his life into high school students who wanted to learn about the law.

And while he has won numerous state and national championships, the more important measure of his impact is the lives of those he has coached. Many of his students, inspired by his example, have gone on to careers in the law and other areas of service. He has lived the principles that he taught us: desire for justice, devotion to excellence, commitment to character, love of the law and faith in God.

Jeffrey M. Atherton would make an excellent judge in our community.

MATTHEW DOWNER

Signal Mountain


Proven experience puts Evatt at top

In the District 9 school board race, Mike Evatt is clearly the best person for the job. No other candidate has experience managing multi-million dollar budgets. Mike Evatt has.

He managed budgets totaling up to $6 million as head of the Buildings and Grounds Department with the Hamilton County school system. Mike has made difficult decisions regarding personnel while working in this position.

Mile Evatt has worked with over $100 million in new school construction. None of the other candidates has had any experience working with parents, teachers, and principals completing numerous projects to improve facilities or support learning.

Mike Evatt has pledged to conduct regular town hall meetings in order to keep all stakeholders better informed about school board proceedings.

He has 33 years of dedicated service to the Hamilton County school system resulting in a keen insight into inner-workings.

Truth be told, no other elected official in Hamilton County is charged with as crucial a task as a school board member.

Our most precious resource, our children, deserve a voice of integrity and proven experience which will always speak on their behalf and work in their best interest. Mike Evatt is clearly the best person for the job.

PERRY & MONICA

PERKINS

Apison, Tenn.


Long is prepared to make decisions

Caleb Long is needed for District 9's school board seat, and the following reasons show why:

He is not beholden to any special interests or organizations.

He has full knowledge of the desires and necessary support that teachers and principals look for in an elected official.

He is familiar with professional business and has managed multi-million dollar private sector budgets.

He has pursued graduate-level academic degrees to better prepare himself to make strategic decisions in public organizations.

He understands that his decisions are sanctioned by the parents and taxpayers of District 9 and Hamilton County. He will protect the future of our children's academic resources.

What more could we ask in an elected representative? Caleb Long is the person for Hamilton County school board, District 9.

NANCY HOUSLEY

Ooltewah

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