Things a reader wishes kids to ask
This is in regard to Barry Courter's article each Friday on things he wished his kids would ask him.
First of all, I like it. I read it religiously, if that word is politically correct anymore. Secondly, I find myself wishing for things I would hope they would ask. Like, what were things like back when, how did our family get to this area, and why?
Having worked on genealogy for a great number of years, I know I have said, and just about everyone else too, has said, "Why did this or that happen? I'll bet Grandpa or Great-grandma would know." But we wait too long to ask, and then the older generations pass on. If only the younger people would start asking things of the older ones now, we all would end up with a wealth of information that otherwise could be lost forever.
Well ,that's my say, except that keep up the good work, Mr. Courter. I'm a fan.
JIM PARRISH
Support Affordable Housing Ordinance
Chattanooga is in a public housing crisis.
1. Chattanooga possesses fewer than 3,000 public housing units, yet over 5,000 people currently wait for Section 8 housing vouchers.
2. 158 individuals who secured vouchers have been unable to find landlords who will accept them.
3. Chattanooga has the third highest rising rents in the nation.
4. Chattanooga Housing Authority recently stated, "The waiting list for public housing is equal to 81 percent of the current occupied units."
Obviously, there is a need for affordable housing in our city.
Recently, Westside Community Association presented its Affordable Housing Ordinance to the Chattanooga City Council. The council largely ignored the proposal and put off voting on the issue. Councilwoman Sally Robinson referred to the ordinance as a process that would "ghettoize" Chattanooga. The councilwoman's unsubstantiated comment is inexcusable. Fear-based leadership only serves to perpetuate ignorance.
As a member of this community, I am outraged by the lack of attention given to this dire situation. City officials must understand that if left unaddressed, the housing issue will intensify and will create further problems for the city. Chattanoogans must care for their own, which involves providing affordable housing to all residents. We must support the Affordable Housing Ordinance.
KRISTIE WILDER
Campbell 'write' choice for Walker
Hats off to Ales Campbell (remember that spelling) in her run for Walker County sole commissioner Nov. 6.
Although a former Dr. Shaw supporter, I would have been hard pressed who to support had she run in the primary against him and the current administration. Both stand for roughly the same needs, needs not currently coming out of LaFayette: Transparency in governance, lower taxes, lower indebtedness, higher job growth, and honest debate on Walker County issues.
Being a "write-in" candidate (there are even hoops to jump through with the state for that designation) is a time-honored American political oddity, and used honorably. Candidates such as President Eisenhower won the day, at least in part, with a write-in vote in Massachusetts. Ales Campbell has stepped forward to offer a choice for Walker County, Ga., voters.
I challenge fellow Walker Countians to vet Ales at www.writeinales.com.
She is a grandmother, co-owner of a successful business, civic leader, personable, well-informed, honest, and watches over 82 students on her Villanow school bus route.
When you vote: 1) touch "write-in" box for the Sole Commissioner's race; 2) type A-L-E-S C-A-M-P-B-E-L-L on screen keyboard; 3) touch "record write-in."
Ales Campbell is the "write" choice for Walker County.
MIKE CHAMBERS,
Lookout Mountain, Ga.
Time to take care of our citizens
Many immigrants run to America. Upon their arrival, while waiting for unending freebies (unearned Social Security, welfare, free housing, free medial care, food stamps, etc.) they are going about trying to find someone or group to violate their rights.
Their country is at war so they run instead of supporting and working for a better country and a plan to move forward. Now my question is: Will they run again when America is in chaos or stay and fight?
When is America going to stop bowing down to their insatiable demands and take care of its own citizens?
REV. CHARLES McGOWAN
Harrison
'Prohibiting' key in prayer dispute
There are a few individuals who oppose praying in public places, or using the name of Jesus in such prayers. According to an amendment to the Constitution of the United Sates of America, dated March 4, 1789, and ratified by three-fourths of the legislatures, Article 1 of the same amendment reads as following:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people to peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
The word "prohibiting" is a key word for this amendment and the right to pray, and using Jesus' name in such praying is within the law! Furthermore, it can be said that disallowing one to do so is a violation of the laws, governed by the Constitution of the United States of America.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is clearly in opposition to the laws that were handed down by our forefathers, and their threats to bring down institutions such as schools, city meetings, etc., should be investigated by any law enforcement office and prosecuted according to other lawbreakers.
REV. RONALD B. CASE,
Pastor, Grace Baptist Church
South Pittsburg, Tenn.
Government aid is hard to avoid
After hearing Gov. Romney's remarks concerning citizens being responsible without government help, I decided to review my life to see where I stood with his guidelines.
I spent 12 years in county public schools, three years training and flying in a heavy bomber in the Southwest Pacific on federal military budget, four years on the GI Bill in a state university and 34 years with a government agency helping build eight fossil units at four plants and helping maintain two nuclear plants. I am now on a pension from that agency, on Medicare and Social Security.
I have concluded that I must be one of Romney's 47 percent of leeches on government dole and should vote for President Obama. I think I will do just that!
JIM DOTY
Dayton, Tenn.
Many emission fees are unnecessary
How many 1-year-old cars fail Hamilton County emissions testing? 1 in 100? 1 in 500? 1 in 1,000? 1 in 5,000? On average, how many $10 tests are performed on 1-year-old cars simply to find one single failure? On 2-year-old cars? 3-year-old cars? 4- and 5-year-old cars?
Hamilton County now has several years of emissions test data: Post the test results on the county website, by model age, for everyone to see. Somehow I suspect our leadership is taking great efforts to hide the fact that Hamilton County residents are being forced to unnecessarily pay tens (possibly hundreds) of thousands of dollars to find a handful of 1-, 2-, and 3-year old failures; while residents of surrounding counties and states continue to be altogether exempt from this tax, and continue to have the same driving privileges in Chattanooga as Hamilton County residents.
GREG ADAMS
Hixson