Spot annexation to cost $150,000
An article April 11 quoted Mayor Littlefield concerning budget cuts for Chattanooga. It was said that 100 city employees could be laid off, most of them police officers. Mayor Littlefield also said, “People need to see what the effect is. Everybody says, ‘Can’t you squeeze more?’ Yes, we can squeeze more, but there’s a price to be paid for that.”
The price — $150,000 if the City Council gets its way. A resolution is pending before the council authorizing the chief of the Fire Department to enter into a fire services contract with Tri-Community Fire Department for protection of the Ooltewah Annexation Area within Chattanooga. Cost $150,000 annually beginning July 1.
Protection for vacant land annexed to appease a landowner who didn’t get his way with the county zoning board for construction of an apartment complex. At the City Council meeting April 20, officials from the Fire Department and Public Works stated they saw no increase in costs for the plan of services for this property. Apparently they forgot a few details.
This is an insult to the people of Chattanooga. Their safety is put at risk while the city has money to waste on spot zoning annexation for special interests.
SCOTT HARRINGTON
Ooltewah
Dead child free of world’s pain
A real tragedy occurred in Chattanooga on Saturday, May 1, when a precious child was abused at the hands of someone, that resulted in his death. It wasn’t front-page news, but maybe it should have been. The child was a gift from God, as I believe all children are, and he is now in the arms of Jesus, free from the hurt and pain of this world. He had no voice to change his fate, but God will speak for him and ultimately justice one day will reign.
I did not know him or how this came to be, but this I know … the person responsible will answer one day. May God have mercy on the soul of whoever took the life of this precious little one.
MYRNA D. WHITEHEAD
Yellow lights serve as warning
You are not getting the whole story at all from the editorial dated May 1, titled “Red light cameras and safety.”
The cameras are reminding drivers that a yellow light means caution, a warning something is about to change so slow down, not speed up to avoid it. The reasons why there are as many accidents where some cameras are installed is because drivers do not see a yellow light as a warning.
People are against cameras because they cannot drive the way that they want to. Most people do not even use their blinkers, especially left hand, in making a turn, which is “really” dangerous. We are failing all over ourselves with denial and complacency.
Please know one thing: if you took all the cameras away and put a police officer at every intersection with pay to monitor the violations, you would have just as many violations from driver and rear-end collisions, guaranteed. Look at who we should be pointing the finger at. Who is the enemy here?
ROBERT D. HENRY
Red Bank
Focus attention on African children
Dear Mr. President:
I am a junior at Collegedale Academy. I think that you should focus more on the children in Africa who are being abducted and forced to be child soldiers. These children suffer from brothers, fathers, mothers and sisters brutally murdered in front of them, and being forced to do the same to other children’s families. If this problem continues, I believe you should take immediate action. You could be saving the lives of thousands of people.
JHETT MITCHELL
Sequoyah High training valuable
I’m writing in support of the students and faculty of Sequoyah High School. My son is a freshman there this year. He was a good student in middle school, but I’ve seen him really get excited about education this year at Sequoyah. I believe it is because of the “hands on” atmosphere coupled with the academic curriculum that encourages students to apply what they learn in the classroom to their work in the shop.
I’ve heard critics of Sequoyah say that it is just for kids who have no educational aspirations after high school. My son is planning to go to college. In my opinion, a Sequoyah graduate who doesn’t go on to college has a marked advantage over a similar student in a traditional high school — he or she has training and skills that are in high demand. Everyone cannot be engineers or pharmacists. We’re always going to need skilled people in this country.
As you decide how the funds will be used, I urge you to think seriously about the unique role the Sequoyah High School plays in our public education system and the dividends it pays and will continue to pay for years to come.
CHARLES ABLES
Soddy-Daisy
Casino Night link to trial ridiculous
Your May 11 article titled “Children’s fundraiser called hypocritical” is proof that no good deed goes unpunished.
The Casino Night event is unquestionably for adults who can choose to (or not to) attend the event that offers entertainment and an evening with others there to enjoy the same while raising money for a charity. How is this inconsistent with promoting and supporting the development, growth and continuation of the Child Advocacy Center of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit?
Anyone who has planned a fundraising event knows it takes months to organize a location, volunteers and programs. The suggestion that organizers of this event could foresee Craft trial testimony or the “timeliness” of the event is ridiculous.
If you look hard enough, maybe you can link the Rally in the Valley motorcycle ride to the Craft trial too.
LAURA P. BROCK