No 'facts'? Don't implicate coaches
In an unpopular defense of British soldiers, John Adams wrote, "Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."
I was in the courtroom when the facts of the case against the Ooltewah basketball coach, his unpaid assistant and the school's athletic director were evaluated.
It was clear something bad happened in a Gatlinburg cabin. A child was injured and required medical treatment. It was also evident those directly involved were juveniles.
It was not clear what to call this incident. The definitions ranged from hazing gone wrong to rape. The judge noted this. The other issue was the timeliness of the adults' response.
A Sevier County detective testified he interviewed the victims, the perpetrators and the coaches. He concluded the adults there acted responsibly in reporting the incident and cooperated fully.
Now some who have read or heard about what occurred have different opinions, and some are impugning the character of the detective and the three men who have dedicated their lives to serving.
"Facts" are indeed "stubborn things." None of us gets to rewrite them to fit our personal narrative.
Gary L. Riggins, Cleveland, Tenn.
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Beware lawyer/client scam attempt
There is a new scam circulating that cheats clients and lawyers.
If you have a lawyer, you may receive a call. Your caller ID may show your lawyer's phone number. Someone will identify themselves as an employee of your lawyer.
This "employee" will tell you a bill needs to be paid or a retainer replenished. The "employee" will give you a different phone number to call to make the payment by phone. When you call the new number, you will be given instructions so money can be drawn directly from your bank to pay the "bill."
The problem is, it isn't your lawyer, and the money goes to a con artist.
How can the scammers link you to a particular lawyer? Through court records that are and must be open to the public. With online court records, they don't even have to go to the courthouse to get this information.
If you receive such a call from "your lawyer," call your lawyer back on a real phone number and confirm the validity of the request for payment. You can never be too cautious when it comes to payments by phone that you did not initiate.
William G. Colvin, lawyer
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Grohn, mayor thanked for work
As in the news, we all seem to focus on the bad, never the good. Well here is a good story.
I drafted an email to my councilman (Larry Grohn) and to Mayor Berke complaining about a lack of road and road right of way maintenance on my street since it was annexed into the city of Chattanooga.
I immediately (same day) received a response detailing action from Councilman Grohn and from Mayor Berke's office. Further, the actions described in their response began the very next day.
So let's give credit where it's due. Although still not happy about the annexation, I do want to say thanks and "well done" to Councilman Grohn, Mayor Berke's office (and Molly Cooper), the Public Works Department and the workers who came out here and performed the work.
Mark C. Robinson Sr.