Mountain Service Imports delights out-of-town visitors
I wanted to share a very pleasant experience my wife and I had traveling through Chattanooga during the holidays.
We were having car trouble and had stopped at Mountain Service Imports on Signal Mountain. Elias Tigiros, the proprietor, took time to squeeze us in and out of his shop just an hour before closing for the holiday. He got us back on the road with no further issues.
If Mr. Tigiros is an example of the citizens of your fair city, he represents you well.
He couldn't have been more gracious or helpful. While this may be tardy, it is sent with gratitude. I look forward to my next visit and for a longer stay.
Best regards,
V. Anthony Quercia, Pittsford, New York
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Show support by cards to Trump
We are asking people who voted for President Trump to send him a card to let him know you are praying for him.
It is time we stand up for what we believe in and let him know we stand behind him. God will take care of the liberals, liars and all the evil when the time is right.
All we need to do is keep praying and believing. Thank you for taking time to flood the White House with cards. Here's the address: President Donald Trump, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, D.C. 20500
Charles and Annie Bandy, Evensville, Tenn.
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Bryan teacher prep extolled
As a veteran teacher, living and teaching in Rhea County, I have seen firsthand the effect of Bryan's education program.
Being a Tennessee Educator fellow, I wanted to know more. Armed with the Ready for Day 1 report from the State Collaborative for Reforming Education, I contacted Dr. Kathryn Saynes, department head. She was aware of the Bryan College Education Preparation Provider (EPP) report card.
I came away with respect for it. To enter Bryan's Teacher Preparation Program, you must have a 23 on your ACT. Student teaching is done only in the fall. Providing for a year-round residency program for student teachers is not viable at Bryan. Adding an additional semester to complete a year residency would cause the education program to be extended a semester.
Dr. Saynes knew why Bryan education graduates were not staying four years in their profession. She knew each student. The EPP report card tracks only teachers who remain in Tennessee. When I left Bryan, I wanted to go to the streets and say: If you want to be a teacher, go to Bryan!
Charlene Schwenk, Spring City, Tenn.
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Media is not the problem
In response to a Feb. 24 letter to the editor, "Core values not in paper today:" The media is under attack by a president using propaganda to deflect any truths about his involvement and relationship with a dictator in Russia - someone he admires.
This is "distraction," by attempting to discredit the very men and women who investigate and expose the truth. For those of you who buy into the lies of this president, you should be ashamed.
When the facts surface - and they will - the proof will be undeniable.
The media is not America's enemy, nor have they reported "fake news." Trump exposes the truth about himself. This isn't about Republicans and Democrats. This is about a president attacking the very essence of America.
Lynn Mitchell
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2-parent home a poverty antidote
In response to the well-considered article last Sunday on the TFP's Perspective page by Robert Winslow, "Urban Revitalization in face of poverty and racial disparity:"
It is true that America has become more bi-modal. You are either rich or poor. Which group you belong to is largely based on choices your parents made. There still remains a large middle class in America; however it is not black.
The common denominator of those living in poverty is single-parent households. A child growing up in those circumstances is far more likely to live in poverty. Whether they remain in that condition is often due to choices they make.
Society cannot prevent you from becoming a single mother but unfortunately, it is more common in the black community than in others. Consequently a larger percentage of blacks live in poverty.
Let's do what we can to break the cycle. We will all benefit. We will never cure the problem completely; we must accept that fact. Jesus said, "the poor will always be with us."
Jim Howard
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Oppose inhumane hunting in Alaska
I was outraged that the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.J. Resolution 69, authored by Alaska's Rep. Don Young.
This rule will overturn a federal rule years in the making, crafted by professional wildlife managers, aimed at stopping some of the most horrific hunting practices imaginable - killing wolf pups in the den, killing hibernating mother bears and cubs, scouting grizzly bears from aircraft and then shooting them after landing and trapping grizzly and black bears with steel-jawed, leg-hold traps and snares.
The resolution, endorsed by the NRA, Safari Club International and other trophy-hunting lobbyists, will allow these atrocities in Alaska's National Wildlife Refuges - publicly owned land paid for at taxpayer expense.
Please call Sens. Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander and let them know their constituents do not support these activities on our federal public lands. Urge them to vote "no" on S.J. Res. 18.
Mary Marr, Hixson
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Stop Haslam's outsourcing plan
Gov. Bill Haslam's plan to outsource public university, prison and other state jobs can be seen for what it is: a money-grab by unaccountable companies thinly disguised in the familiar, misleading rhetoric of money-saving for taxpayers with no drawbacks for workers.
The governor claims, "We're going to protect every employee that's there. Everyone is guaranteed their job." But not their current job.
Contractors can offer any job within 50 miles of the job's location, meaning UTC custodians could be asked to add an hour to a commute, assuming they have a car.
If they cannot accept the job, they are no longer covered."
Write, call and attend the rally at the Capitol Thursday to show the governor we can't condone this outsourcing of our neighbors' jobs and that #TNisNOTforSALE.
Geoffrey Meldahl
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President lacks inspiring ideas
So, our entrepreneur/dealmaker president says, "nobody knew that health care could be so complicated." Duh.
A small mind sometimes has a problem grasping complicated issues. But he does seem to know one thing - our health care system will "implode" unless fixed.
Once again he's spewing fear to validate his mandate. This time it's Obamacare. Then there's illegal immigration, ISIS, "carnage in our inner cities," "they're taking our jobs" and on and on.
Fear is the tactic of tyrants. Forward-thinking, leading and inspiring, are qualities of a leader, qualities our president lacks. Sad.
Rebecca Rochat