Small Business Week
This year's National Small Business Week, today through Saturday, honors the estimated 27.9 million small businesses in America that create 64 percent of all new jobs in this country.
All of the volunteers in the Chattanooga SCORE office (mentors to small businesses and providers of free and confidential advice), salute small business owners who drive innovation, increase U.S. competitiveness and fuel our economy. Please take time during this week to recognize them by supporting local businesses.
Imre Volgyi
Chattanooga SCORE
How much more can we endure?
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled schools may not provide separate bathrooms based on biology. The accommodation effort to satisfy a very small segment of our population is not permitted.
To paraphrase Don McLean's "American Pie" lyrics, this is the day that common sense died. Overreaching Department of Education, activist judges and federal threats to withhold Title IX funds continue to corrupt. (The Title IX funds, of course, are our confiscated tax dollars and are used as a weapon against us if we do not comply.)
How much more can our society endure?
Mike Budnick
Winchester, Tenn.
Time to focus on Alzheimer's
As an Alzheimer's Association ambassador, I was honored to participate with 1,200 others from across the country in the 28th annual Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C., where we appealed to Congress for action on this devasatating disease.
In Tennessee, more than 110,000 people are currently diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another dementia. Nearly 426,000 unpaid caregivers (primarily family members) provide over 85,000,000 hours of unpaid care.
In addition to the human toll, Alzheimer's is the most expensive condition in the nation, costing $236 billion a year. Nearly one in every five Medicare dollars is spent on people with Alzheimer's or another dementia. These costs will continue to increase as baby bombers age.
Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. - and the only cause of death among the top 10 without a way to prevent, stop or even slow its progression.
It is only through adequate funding and a strong implementation of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease that we will meet its goal of preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer's by 2025.
Bill Tobin
Apison, Tenn.
Protect waterfront from condos
Ross's Landing is the front yard for our growing city. With its river access, wide open spaces, street-level parking, and more our riverfront invites residents and visitors alike. Playgrounds and water activities abound.
The Chattanooga Times article about Form-Based Code (April 22, page C1) showed condominiums taking the place of much of the open space and parking lots. What a shame to lose such an attractive public asset so millionaires can sip martinis on their private patios.
Chattanooga would lose events like Head of the Hooch, IronMan, Riverbend and many others.
I say, keep our riverfront open for all to use. No condos at Ross's Landing.
Doug BeVille
North Shore
Editorial was racially tinged
As I read the April 23 Free Press editorial about the Hamilton County Board of Education, I was slapped in the face by the sentences identifying two members of the school board by their race. In my opinion, the article went on to explain that the newly elected interim superintendent (clearly identified by his race) was unqualified for the position.
What was missing for me was the race of the other candidates and the race of the three other board members who also voted for this interim superintendent.
The article sparked questions for me. Is the writer white? Is the writer fearful that a black man was more qualified than his white contenders? Is the writer afraid that white people may become the minority instead of the majority? Does the thought of being a minority make the writer feel uncomfortable?
Wouldn't you agree that this type of rhetoric encourages racial divide and racism? Wouldn't you agree that the editorial suggests that one should be judged by the color of their skin/race? The editorial seems to suggest that one should gather with people of their race in order to be successful. Sounds very discouraging to me.
Librain Davis
Ooltewah
Belief vs. truth heart of issues
An April 25 letter to the editor addressing the debate about transgender persons and bathrooms argued correctly that "Rights trump the will of the majority." That is indeed true if the "rights" in question are God-given, constitutionally-protected, objectively determined rights of free persons such as the right of free speech or the right to bear arms for self-defense.
What we find in the bathroom debate, however, is a "right" that is rooted solely in the personal belief of an individual with no other support whatsoever. A man believes he is actually a woman while objective, scientific, biological, genetic facts declare him to be male. Which is correct and which should shape society: one man's belief or objective truth?
Should society respond based on his personal opinion of himself, treat him as a woman, and allow him in the women's restroom? Or should the community insist that thousands of years of sexual norms based on the facts of biology will be maintained and bathrooms will be reserved for those who genetically match the icon on the door?
Can a free society long survive once it allows personal feelings to trump objective truth and shape community standards?
Philip Lancaster
CARTA cuts hurt St. Elmo
St. Elmo residents are losing their bus service on Saturdays and during part of the week. I would like to thank some people for making this travesty happen. First, the City Council for not giving CARTA the funding it asked for. Next is Chris Anderson, our representative for doing nothing to help after cuts were announced. Finally, CARTA's Lisa Maragnano, who was instrumental in taking service away from those who desperately need it.
Many St. Elmo riders are elderly or live on lower incomes and cannot afford to take taxis on Saturday or during the week to Food City to catch an Alton Park bus to get downtown to work, church, laundry, etc.
With that said, some did try to help. Manny Rico, as well as one of our state senators, tried. An online and physical petition generated more than 200 signatures in a little over a week. Numerous calls and emails were made to CARTA and others with no result.
I guess thanks for nothing is appropriate.
Victoria Garner
St. Elmo Ave
Frazier overhaul improves safety
I attended a local presentation about right-sizing the traffic lanes on Frazier Avenue. I travel Frazier Avenue daily.
The primary focus of this proposal is to provide safe passage for all citizens using all forms of transportation. These modes include pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular traffic. The facts shared with the group indicated that the traffic flow remains largely the same with right-sizing the lanes and improves safety for all. This proposal introduces a bike lane. There was no indication that the proposal is inspired to force a bike lane onto Frazier Avenue. To characterize the proposal that way is disingenuous.
The proposal creates a safer environment for all. If developed per the plans, we will see an improved streetscape, a friendlier urban environment, safer streets and continued economic development.
Stuart Wasilowski