Hands-on learning benefits North Georgia students
The Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park recently joined with the 6th Cavalry Museum to offer "Remembering Our Heroes School Day" program to Catoosa and Walker County schools. Students went to the Chickamauga National Battlefield Park to learn what it was like to be a soldier in the Civil War, experience a musket firing demonstration, watch the interpretive movie and tour the Visitor Center.
We have received thank-you letters from several of the schools. Teachers and students alike expressed their appreciation to National Park Service educator Chris Young and the park staff for the great educational opportunity and hands-on learning experience. Nine hundred fourth- and fifth-grade students attended the programs.
Thank you,
Durinda Cheek, 6th Cavalry Museum board member and "Remembering Our Heroes School Day" program chairwoman
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Greenholtz already effective judge
Judge Tom Greenholtz has already made a positive impact on our Hamilton County Criminal Court and will receive my vote on March 1.
Most voters will never step into this court, but through swift improvements to the scheduling of trials to accommodate law enforcement who need to provide testimony, Judge Greenholtz has assisted victims in having their full cases heard without unnecessary delay. Not only do victims of crime benefit from the respect of their time and their case, but our community can know that every effort is made to have justice served and criminals face the evidence against them.
I will be voting for Judge Greenholtz and ask you to cast your ballot for a man who has proven that he works to have our court system work for us.
Linda Kukura
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Patterson highly qualified for judge
My husband and I have known Boyd Patterson for more than 10 years. Boyd has an excellent reputation, the highest standards for ethics and has provided his leadership to the community for many years. He would make a respectful, thorough and fair judge for our citizens. In addition to his 25 years of experience in the legal field, he is a dedicated family man and friend. He is looked up to and respected by all that know him. His experience and years of study make him uniquely qualified for Criminal Court Judge. He's capable of, and not afraid to, "think outside the box."
The community would be well served by having Boyd Patterson as Criminal Court Judge and it's my honor to voice support for his campaign.
Melissa M. Woody, Hixson
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Mike Little is best judge choice
We support Mike Little for Criminal Court Judge because we firmly believe he is the best qualified person to serve in this capacity.
We both feel his experience in private practice, the Public Defender's Office, General Sessions Court and Criminal Court will enable him to perform the duties of Criminal Court Judge with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Mike seeks out opportunities to broaden his perspective, including attending AA meetings and sitting in on the Monday Drug Court to better understand the problems of alcoholics and how to most effectively serve them. Having personally witnessed his dedication to his family, faith and community for over 15 years, we know that he will serve with honesty, caring and integrity.
Mike Little is an outstanding candidate for Criminal Court Judge and we believe the best choice for this position. We encourage you to join us in voting for him in the primary election on March 1.
Nancy and Richard MacLean, Hixson
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Lawmakers have misplaced priorities
I find it incredible that our elected Tennessee state lawmakers cannot let a bill like Insure Tennessee, that would have helped thousands of Tennessee citizens who work but cannot afford health insurance, even make it out of a committee. But they spent last Monday debating a bill that would force the University of Tennessee women's sports teams to reinstate the "Lady Vols" name on their jerseys!
Is this why Insure Tennessee never got out of a committee? When did the name on a sports jersey become much more important to our legislators than health care, road and bridge repairs, job creation or anything else our tax dollars could be used for to enhance our state?
Henry Fischer, East Ridge
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GOP, unlike bees, not protecting hive
Bees understand that the interest of the hive as a whole is much more important than the interest of any one bee or small group of bees. Jesus loves all bees. Republicans, not so much.
W.F. Greeson
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TVA should rework retirement
TVA has changed a lot since the 1933 FDR vision. When I walk into a TVA site, there's usually a common sign: "Built for the people of the United States of America." That may no longer be the case. TVA has been stolen by a group of highly paid executives. This didn't occur overnight. It started gradually with the salary cap removal, senior executive pension plan separate from the employees' pension plan, winning performance system built to reward the executives for the goals they chose, to name a few.
Not only has TVA been stolen from the people, but its retirement plan has been stolen from the employees of TVA and retirees of TVA. There are rules for private corporation retirement systems. Benchmark to see what TVA's competitors and other federal agencies are doing. Choose one, standardize and implement. This important step was apparently left out the legislation that created the TVA retirement system independent from TVA. This will return the TVA retirement system to its employees. The next step is even harder: How to return TVA ownership to the people of the United States.
John Henry Sullivan, Hixson
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Seniors need better White House choice
If Hillary is nominated as president, can she pick her husband for vice president? If so, if she should become ill, could he become a president again? It's a shame there are only three running for the Democrats. Aren't there more people out there who could run? There isn't much to pick from. The Clintons and Bushes had enough stay in the White House. We need new blood. We seniors need someone who cares about us.
Shirley Newhard, Harrison
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Care affordable with higher wages
In response to "Health Care Fines Facing Millennials" (Jan. 27): The push to get millennials to sign up for the Affordable Care Act might be more successful if they were paid a living wage. The annual salary of a full-time, minimum-wage worker is around $15,000. The average cost of an annual health care plan in Tennessee is $2,700, which is a large chunk of income, especially for those who might be trying to manage and support a family or go to school. While subsidies are available, as the article stated, they still may not be enough. Raising the minimum wage to even $10 an hour would make health care that much more affordable for millennials, but it would balance out the insurance pool, lowering health care costs for everyone.
Sarah Hunt, Collegedale, Tenn.
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Top assessors voting for Jetton
Please consider the endorsement list for Sterling Jetton as assessor of property. After reading through this impressive list of names, I personally decided to do some research about this position. I thought surely the experienced folks on the list know what they are talking about when it comes to "experience that counts" for the position. When I Googled the Assessors Statewide Association, the Tennessee Association of Assessing Officers, I noticed the highest honor given by the association is the Lifetime Achievement Award. Only 13 folks across the state have received this award. Right on the front page of the association, it shows that Hamilton County has three of those high achievers, more than any other county in the state. I found all three of these folks supporting Sterling Jetton for Assessor of Property. They are Claude Ramsey, current assessor Bill Bennett, and Wilburn Bubba Ricketts. These men know what it takes to do this job well, and all have chosen Sterling. I will proudly be voting for Sterling Jetton and hope you will also.
J. Bart Brannon