Decor thieves can't kill Christmas spirit
A couple of years ago, we began to ramp up our Christmas decorating in our Lookout Valley neighborhood. We do it for the community, family and friends, to raise their Christmas spirit and cheer.
This year we had 15 inflatables in the yard, five full-size Christmas trees (inside and out), several figurines, including a full nativity scene, and music-controlled lights. We have had a fantastic and heartwarming response from neighbors, friends, family and complete strangers telling us how much they look forward to our displays.
Since the New Year's holiday, we have had illnesses and a death in the family and have not been able to fully take down all the decor yet.
It is very sad that someone decided to steal two of the inflatables. They took a 6.5-foot tall penguin and an almost 8-foot tall snowman. Regardless of these pathetic and sad individuals, we will continue our tradition of bringing joy to the community.
Ricky Smith and T.J. Hendricks
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Fletcher, officers making friends
I was delighted to see Police Chief Fred Fletcher and his officers mixing with the Miller Park crowd before the Martin Luther King Jr. parade.
They walked up to people, offered their hands while smiling and passing pleasantries with them.
Their actions were positive and made me proud to be a citizen of this community.
Vivian Dodds
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Light up the night to support police
In recent months, our law enforcement officers have had the public finger pointed at them. Some have needlessly lost their lives at the end of a gunman's pistol.
Why when police officers have to use deadly force is the public so quick to condemn the officer and deify the criminal?
Yes, criminals do get shot, and some die in the act of the crime when a police officer has to use deadly force. If the public is unable to understand that, its members should walk in the shoes of a police officer to see what it's like.
Why do we allow organizations that stand up for people's rights to infiltrate these situations and do nothing but stir the masses?
While the masses picket, gather and protest, these individuals live high as money flows in from corporations into [their] pockets. I was raised to show respect to others, especially police officers.
My wife and I show support for police everywhere by placing a blue bulb in our front porch light and leaving it on at night to say to police: "We stand with you, and you have our prayers."
William Frank, Cleveland, Tenn.
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Did flurries make longer weekend?
On Jan. 16, schools in Bradley, Hamilton and Polk counties and in Cleveland closed based on the assumption that snow flurries the evening before would make roads unsafe to travel.
Hopefully, that decision wasn't also influenced by the anticipation of a longer holiday weekend. Even though McMinn and Monroe counties experienced the same weather that day, their school systems did not close.
Whatever the factors were in the decision by the Bradley, Hamilton and Polk counties and Cleveland city school systems to close, one thing is certain.
While people in McMinn and Monroe County school systems worked to educate students in those schools that day, people in the Bradley County, Hamilton County, Polk County and Cleveland City school systems had that day off with pay.
Neil Greenwood, Delano, Tenn.
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Official appalled at Beck's stance
I am not normally given to writing letters about news stories. However, when I saw the Jan. 15 story about Hamilton County Commissioner Greg Beck's feeling about the Tennessee Sunshine Law, I felt shock and disbelief.
I serve on the Etowah (Tenn.) City Commission and am vice mayor. I hope I would never desire to discuss any public item without having to do so in an open meeting of the Etowah Board of Commissioners where any citizen of this municipality could attend and hear every word.
I commend Randy Fairbanks for his stance and the fact that he made clear that "this is the law."
If Mr. Beck does not want to follow the law, then he would do well to resign. I am 74 and well remember when "back-room" politics were a way of life.
I feel as Mr. Fairbanks does, that when an elected official complains it makes me suspicious that they have something to hide.
Those who voted for Mr. Beck should take a long look at his desires.
David E. James, Vice Mayor City of Etowah
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Some are more equal than others
In France, it is against the law to deny the Holocaust. It is, however, legally permissible to defame the spiritual leader of 1.6 billion Muslims - 23 percent of the world's population.
I guess George Orwell was right that in today's secular world, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
Gene Stevens, Tunnel Hill, Ga.
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Woods, look at the real problems
Your paper reported comments by new NAACP President Elenora Woods blaming recent violence on "disinvestment in the black community and a lack of opportunities for blacks."
Surely she recognizes the real problems are that 30 percent of blacks do not graduate from high school; that many single mothers produce four and five babies before the age of 25 and cannot afford to raise them; that too many children do not enjoy a loving family with the influence of both mother and father and therefore gravitate as teenagers into gangs that espouse violence and crime.
Please stop blaming "inequality" and begin encouraging youngsters to become educated so they can qualify for jobs, to cease having babies they cannot afford and to take responsibility for properly caring for the children they do have.
Margie Biggs, Hixson
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Insurers, collect deductibles, too
There are certain aspects of the Affordable Care Act that need to be improved. One is the payment structure of plans with high deductibles.
Have you ever been to a doctor's office or hospital and been told that you owed a large amount even though you had already paid a large insurance premium?
During emergencies or acute illnesses, well-meaning health care providers often perform their services without asking for payment in advance, but what happens when people don't pay their bill after they have already received their service?
To remain in business, the provider has to spend nonproductive time and employ additional staff to pursue payment. Since the insurance company has already been paid, why not make them pay the provider and be responsible for collecting the deductible?
Health care providers should specialize in providing excellent health care. Insurance companies obviously specialize in collecting money.
Wouldn't it be more efficient if we both did what we do best? Wouldn't the relationship between patient and health care provider improve if the first question your health care professional asked was, "How are you feeling today?" instead of "How would you like to pay your deductible?"
Chris Thacker, M.D., Cleveland, Tenn.
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You can't match wits with God
Responding to last Sunday's letter, "Believers Should Look Outside The Box." This person must have a very small "box."
Scientists cannot save us, now or ever. Jesus said, "Without me you can do nothing." God does not change. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
Trying to match wits with the creator of the universe is futile. No computer ever designed could compare to God's creation. It is without equal.
Lastly, the Bible is not just a religious book. It is an account from the very breath of God.
Myrna Whitehead