Wealthy people should help more
The recent Hurricane Sandy left many people without homes and electricity. It was called one of the worst storms in history, leaving mass destruction in its path. The rich and very rich could help a lot, but they seem to have remained silent. The people are doing their best by helping each other without the assistance of the very rich.
I guess they have found a hiding place. They could do so much by letting go of some of their money. For instance, they could have trailers set up as temporary housing. There are some of the very rich who do give to charities, and I admire the generous few for what they do.
If I belonged to the millionaire and billionaire group I would not hesitate to give and feel good about it. I don't mean to criticize these very-well-off individuals, but they could eliminate some of the suffering the victims of Superstorm Sandy are experiencing.
The Red Cross and FEMA are doing the best they can, but it's not enough, and more money could speed up the process of helping these people get back to normal living. Turn loose of some of that big money!
RICHARD D. BLOOD, Ringgold, Ga.
Haslam keeping his head in sand
Why is Gov. Haslam whining about how little time he has to go over and make a decision on the 373 pages of regulations on the insurance exchange under the federal health care law? They have been out there for a few years. Keeping your head in the sand in the hopes they'll go away is not a smart way to go.
First, Republicans were sure the Supreme Court would shoot them down. When that didn't work, they relied on putting their party in the White House.
Haslam should have been up on these regulations from day one.
Another thought -- God can forgive DesJarlais his sins. The voters shouldn't.
NANCY SMITH, Dayton, Tenn.
Help Fleischmann cut the waste
The news reports that "A perennial penny pincher when it comes to policy, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann says he's 'thankfully overwhelmed' about his new role helping to control the federal government's purse strings."
It just so happens that Tom Coburn publishes a government waste book every year listing the various items that our "Giverment" finds to waste my and your tax dollars on. I have a proposal for the people of the 3rd Congressional District and Congressman Fleischmann. If the list is indeed waste, then Congressman Fleischmann's goal should be to eliminate it all. Since that might not be possible in his first year, we should challenge him to cut the waste by 50 percent the first year.
If he needs help in the way of emails, faxes, phone calls and letters to papers, we need to commit to help him put the pressure on those who try to waste our money. If he publishes the names and the proposed waste, we need to get behind him to help him cut!
What do you think, citizens of the 3rd District?
JERRY W. PEYTON
Crutchfield needs to be 'disturbed'
Re: "Crutchfield 'disturbed' by Tivoli's finance woes" (Dec. 6).
If I were Missy Crutchfield, I would be "disturbed" as well. Disturbed that I ignored 7-year-old audit findings critical of cash handling procedures (or lack thereof) at the Tivoli.
Disturbed that I was not paying enough attention to realize that the programs I was responsible for were permeated by vendors, entertainers and promoters that dealt in cash and I had not control over that process.
Disturbed that when asked about the issue, I replied "... I never addressed the issues because the city's internal audit and finance departments told me (sic) the problems could be corrected later," a statement later refuted by City Auditor Stan Sewell.
Disturbed that I was ignorant of the fact that auditors never fix anything; they point out issues the administrator is supposed to fix.
By the way, Ms. Crutchfield, was Ms. Sandy Coulter bonded? Most employees handling cash transactions of significance are. If so, taxpayers lose no money; if not ... something else Ms. Crutchfield should be "disturbed" about.
BEN JOHNSTON
Provide the best for all children
There seems to be a lot of complaints recently over the education system in the Hamilton County school district, particularly for special needs kids. I believe it is our government's duty to provide the best quality of learning for all children. It should be a priority to find educational leaders who are passionate about working with children that need individual attention and accommodations. Having worked a summer in a school for special needs children, I have experienced first-hand the impacting benefits and need for these programs. There needs to be legislation that provides funding and resources, specifically for these programs, so that children are not mistreated or ignored. This is an issue that concerns not only the school board, but should be heard and advocated for nationwide. This is every child's right, not privilege.
LILIANA BARRIOS, Ooltewah
Help Latinos move forward
The number of Latino residents in the Chattanooga area is rising rapidly. According to the 1990 census, Latinos didn't comprise a single percent of the total Hamilton County population. Looking forward, though, estimates for the year 2020 project Latinos making up almost 12 percent of the county population. Hamilton County schools enrolled 300 new Latino students this year alone. This growth brings with it innumerable opportunities for success and community gain, but such an increase also carries needs that must be addressed so we can enjoy the benefits of this growing demographic group fully included across our region.
In this area, one organization that works solely with and for the booming Latino population is La Paz Chattanooga. For nearly a decade, La Paz has strived to meaningfully connect Latinos to the broader community. The week of Dec. 10, La Paz will have its first membership drive. Funds raised will help move the organization's mission, "To empower and engage Chattanooga's Latino community," forward into 2013. In order for the Chattanooga area to realize its future potential, all people need to have a seat at the table helping chart that course. Through La Paz, we can help make that happen. Join me and show your support for this wonderful local nonprofit organization.
DR. ROGER BROWN
Goodwill provides beneficial service
After receiving an email recently titled "Think before you donate," and noting that "Goodwill" was given a negative assessment, I need to respond.
Goodwill of Chattanooga, headed up by CEO Dennis Brice and Kimberly Warren, director of community services, has been a "Godsend" to me and a multitude of families of handicapped people.
My wife had MS for 32 years. Periodically, as her symptoms deteriorated, I looked to Goodwill for things such as a wheelchair, bedside potty, a slide-out shower chair, a hospital bed, a walker with an arm rest for therapy, and an assortment of bed pads and incontinent briefs.
In addition, Goodwill hires handicapped people to work at its warehouse on Dodds Avenue and its various retail stores in the tri-state area.
After my wife died is 2007, I donated her power wheelchair to Goodwill. They advised me that it was given to an MS patient who had symptoms similar to my wife's. So don't tell me that "When you donate to Goodwill and they sell your products at a profit," that somehow this does not benefit our community." Thanks, Goodwill! Merry Christmas.
C. BRUCE SPENCER