Signal actions warrant scrutiny
The former chief of the police department of Signal Mountain, who is now the town manager of the city (despite zero experience in such a position), decided unilaterally to place the first-ever speed bumps on a residential street in the town. The installation of the speed bumps occurred soon after the election of our new Town Council, and the bumps just happened to be placed on either side of one of the newly elected councilman's best friend's driveway.
Mind you, not one significant accident has occurred on this section of road. The street is well patrolled, and there are already three stop signs along this quarter-mile residential stretch of road (that is one stop sign every 450 feet). Coincidence or cronyism?
Signal Mountain, tear down those speed bumps!
MICHAEL J. WOOD, Signal Mountain
Cubans doing well on $19 per month
After the recent public announcement of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba, a CNBC commentator was in Havana the morning after. During various news intervals that morning, one could observe hundreds of people walking the sidewalks of Havana. They seemed remarkably well dressed, fed and had no apparent tattoos, nose rings or pants pulled down. Some were laughing and exchanging pleasantries while boarding buses and cabs.
The CNBC commentator remarked that Cubans lived on an average of about $19 per month. I'm very glad there will be increased cultural exchanges between our two countries so as I may learn how we can be well fed and clothed on $19 a month.
JOHN F. EARY, Ringgold, Ga.
Writer didn't walk in shoes of blacks
This is a response to a Jan. 7 letter: I'm so tired of some whites telling blacks how we should feel! He says Africans were not stolen for slavery but were sold by other Africans.
What difference does it make who sold them?
The fact is no one should have been there buying human beings. He goes on to say we are much better off, but as a child I recall being called [a racial slur] many times and had to endure the "white only" signs. Even nowadays, we are usually more closely watched when we are shopping as if blacks are prone to stealing.
Since the letter writer has not endured such treatment, what right has he to tell blacks how we should feel?
ROBERT BROWN