Lawmakers' VW outrage laughable
State GOP legislators at Tuesday's Times Free Press editorial meeting were coy about the Legislature's eventual approval of some $300 million in state incentives to expand Chattanooga's VW plant. But since it's unlikely our legislators will risk losing the expansion's nearly 1,200 new jobs, their posturing is understandable.
The basis of their criticism is Volkswagen's easygoing relationship with the United Auto Workers -- as if VW needs lawmakers' advice on its labor policies.
What is Sen. Todd Gardenhire's complaint? VW officials are "in your face. It's their way or no way. They've decided by golly they want the UAW here. They're not listening to the community."
His "their way or no way" criticism is ironic, given Republicans' history of supporting business -- and those business' campaign support of the party in return. The legislators certainly understand the business community's eagerness to demonize the UAW-VW relationship.
Incidentally, there is no mistaking state Sen. Bo Watson's position. Before last year's union vote, he described VW's stance as "unfair [and] unbalanced." And dredging up a slur from the McCarthy era, he damned it as "quite frankly, un-American."
The legislators' fake outrage aside, it's (frankly) certain the production incentives will be approved. By golly.
Michael Loftin
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Missing tree mystery may be solved
In response to the letter about the Christmas tree at the railroad crossing on Hickory Valley Road -- I too enjoyed seeing the decorated tree on my way to work.
I was dismayed to see it missing this past Christmas. I think what happened was that it was cut down when brush was cleared there last summer.
The tree was growing naturally on that hill. I never saw it again after the brush clearing.
I think that someone from the businesses close by decorated the tree each Christmas. There is a larger tree growing close by the site where the smaller tree grew.
Thanks to whomever decorated that tree every Christmas. Your efforts were greatly appreciated.
James Collis
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Poor spelling undercuts artwork
Recently, I was in the main lobby of Erlanger Medical Mall. Not far from the Information Desk was a display pertaining to strokes -- some causes and some symptoms and immediate action to take.
Even from a distance, it was easy to detect that the artwork was juvenile, so I went to take a closer look. What I found was disappointing.
The subject matter was worthwhile and enlightening. The drawings, while juvenile, were done quite well. But the accompanying spelling was so poor that I could only assume the teachers and/or parents of the presenters just turned the kids loose on the project with no adult supervision at all.
For example, a certain item drawn to resemble a thin tube with smoke rising from one end was labeled "sgrt" which I presumed to be "cigarette."
In symptoms of a stroke I noted "speach" as one of the items. My beef is not with these young artists. But I would never have allowed my children's artwork to be displayed thus.
I would have raised Cain with any of their teachers who would have allowed it. Why are we raising a generation of illiterates?
Steve Orender, Dayton, Tenn.
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Catanzaro was dreamer, doer
You can find things to criticize about a person who holds a job a long time, but we should never forget the good they did while they served.
That's how I feel about Jim Catanzaro as he leaves Chattanooga State Community College.
Jim was a dreamer and a doer. He did his part in our effort to bring about a renaissance of Chattanooga.
Jim, I remember, and I will not forget.
Dalton Roberts