Kyle Hedrick most qualified as judge
Please join me in voting to keep Judge Kyle Hedrick in Division 4 of the Circuit Court of Hamilton County. I have practiced as a family law attorney in Hamilton County for 39 years.
I have known Judge Hedrick for more than 20 years, and I know he has the qualifications we need to effectively administer justice to the citizens who will appear in his court.
Judge Hedrick has the skill, knowledge and ability to deal with the most complex legal issues. I know this because I have worked with him, and I have witnessed his presentation of a case before the Tennessee Supreme Court. He also has the compassion, experience and innate judgment to deal with family law cases, and will treat all who come before him with respect and dignity.
I am supporting Judge Hedrick because I believe he is the most qualified candidate and should retain his position as judge of Division IV. Please join with me in voting for Judge Hedrick on May 1.
Sandra J. Bott
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Why Lewandowski Lincoln Day orator?
In a time of bitter partisanship, we can agree on one thing: Corey Lewandowski is a twit.
The erstwhile manager of the Trump campaign, he was shown the door in part because his disruptive presence made it impossible to hire serious operatives, and in part because of his fatuous infighting with Trump's offspring. His shoes were filled by another paragon, the currently indisposed Paul Manafort.
Lewandowski's next gig with CNN began with the revelation he was still on Trump's payroll and ended in ignominy when he espoused the debunked "birther" fantasy on the air.
Now comes word that the buffoonish Lewandowski told Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee he would not answer their "[expletive] questions." He does not deny the quote.
Sadly, it is indicative of the Trumpification of the Republican Party that the Hamilton County Lincoln Day Dinner will feature Lewandowski as its keynote speaker. Seriously. Perhaps Anthony Scaramucci was already booked on "Hannity," and Emmett Kelly is dead.
It is an affront to Republicans and an insult to the Great Emancipator for the names Lincoln and Lewandowski to appear together in the same universe, let alone on the same marquee. Or is it just me?
Christopher A. Hopkins
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Likes Moore's story; he'll get 'my vote'
Kudos to Tyler Jett for his in-depth article on John Deffenbaugh and his Georgia District 1 challenger, Colton Moore.
Moore's life story is compelling, and I look forward to voting for him in May. I voted for the incumbent the first year he ran as our state representative after hearing him debate his opponent. However, he doesn't seem to care about his constituents.
I wrote him, asking for help in getting reflectors for our end of the mountain. Many, including bus drivers, drive in fog in the dark on very dangerous state roads, especially Highway 136. When road crews scrape ice and snow from the roads, reflectors are scraped off and not replaced until late summer, if then. Dade County road crews always replace our county road reflectors.
I never heard from my representative. And so, I will proudly cast my vote for Colton Moore!
Sandy Harris, Cloudland, Ga.
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Opposes schools withdrawal bill
I wish to express my objection to the bill SB1755 now in the Tennessee Senate. This bill is trying to facilitate misguided school districts that wish to withdraw from their school districts.
The main objection to SB1755 is that the district withdrawing would expect to retain all the buildings, land and sports fields that were paid for by the taxpayers of the whole school system. Also, their withdrawal would mean they would take money away.
We, as a community, should be working harder to work together to better finance our school systems to have good schools for all.
Mrs. M. Skip Stevens
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Vote for White, the people's choice
The Circuit Court judge race is between "the appointed" [Judge Kyle Hedrick] and "people's choice" [Catherine "Cate" White]. Without a Democrat challenger, one of these candidates will be the next Circuit Court judge.
Ms. White has always wanted to be a judge. Pam Sohn is quoted as saying, "We like Catherine Cate White's extensive family law knowledge ... and family-friendly ideas." Saturday's editorial stated, Ms. White "wants a rule that automatically sends parents to free seminars aimed at and helping them remember that they love their children more than they hate each other ... and more than 50 percent of the cases in this court are family cases."
Her opponent shared in his application: "I believe my passion for helping others to find ways to resolve issues will be valuable as a Circuit Court judge." Ms. White: "... and as a mother of two, I have successfully mastered the skill of active listening, patience, and being even tempered, even when faced with antagonistic individuals. I know I can bring experience to the bench and impact it in a positive way."
Vote for the "people's choice!"
Esther Butler-Taj, Ooltewah
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Learn your ballot and be sure to vote
The League of Women Voters of Chattanooga urges you to vote in the 2018 elections. But before you vote, learn who is on your ballot.
Vote411.org provides the League's nonpartisan voter guide to races across Hamilton County. For the May 1 primary and Aug. 2 general election, we sent questionnaires to all candidates running for county office, including mayor, commissioner and sheriff. Many of them responded - some haven't and won't, but that tells voters something, too.
Go to www.vote411.org, enter your address (or search by state) and compare candidates' experience and positions on issues. Vote411 also lists your districts and links to information on registration and polling places.
The website is mobile-friendly, and you can print or email your choices to make voting easier and smarter. Information about candidates in the upcoming state and federal elections will be offered soon. The candidates' information is in their own words and unedited.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging citizen participation in government, working to increase understanding of policy issues, and influencing policy through education and advocacy. Learn more at lwvchattanooga.wordpress.com.
Maria Sabin, secretary/treasurer, League of Women Voters of Chattanooga
Hixson
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Vote Schroyer for register of deeds
Hamilton County voters have a unique opportunity on May 1 to elect a candidate with 30+ years of "on-the-job training" for register of deeds.
Having been a deputy register myself, I am familiar with this office and with the woman running, Vickie Schroyer. She is a widow, mother and grandmother with knowledge and dignity who has progressed through the office's ranks the hard way.
The register's work is exacting and directly affects our lives daily through the recording of many important documents. If not done correctly, individuals and companies can suffer expensive consequences.
Specific legal knowledge, precision and technical skills are required. Vickie has these, unlike the other candidates seeking this office. She will not have to depend on deputies.
Another essential skill is Vickie's mature, proficient handling of human resources. That is, she knows how to deal well with employees and the public.
Vickie also understands a competent staff is not a threat but a priority. Vickie believes dedicated public servants are the foundation to a professional and efficiently run register's office.
A vote for Vickie is a vote for a register of deeds of whom we can be proud.
Rebecca Raymond, deputy register, retired
Hixson