Ramsey proposal a waste of money
I wonder about our current Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey.
In a time of lack of funds to carry on necessary state activities, he proposes hiring an attorney to sue the federal government on an issue the attorney general says is useless.
Does he believe this strongly in the issue? If so, he should use his own funds, not Tennessee funds, which are in short supply.
I really believe that he is only using this as an issue in the upcoming elections.
ROGER THOMPSON
Coffee County
Where is coverage of baseball team?
As sports plays such a major part of individuals’ lives, and is one of the few parts of the news that’s always enjoyable, I can’t believe you neglect to write about, or post updates, in regard to the professional baseball team in your city. That team being the Chattanooga Lookouts. Major oversight.
JAMES L. JACK
Gibson, Iowa
Levi provides dedicated service
When I think of what it means to be a public servant, I think of Carl Levi. Carl has served Chattanooga and Hamilton County for 50 years, a commitment of dedicated service and successful results.
Carl Levi was assistant treasurer of Chattanooga for 17 years and city treasurer for 24 years, and he has been Hamilton County trustee for the last eight years. His hands-on approach and active involvement in protecting, managing and investing our tax dollars is well-known. His standards are the highest and above reproach, which we (taxpayers) greatly appreciate.
We’re very thankful for Carl’s dedicated service (along with all of the many other military veterans) in the American Legion, who work so hard each year to make sure the Armed Forces Day Parade continues to be part of our Chattanooga history. Flag-waving children, seasoned veterans, and everyone in between continue to enjoy and recall past parades that honor our veterans and our country.
Your vote for Carl Levi will guarantee his many years of financial and investing experience will continue to work for the taxpayers of Hamilton County. We want to keep the high standards and compliance in the trustee’s office that Carl Levi consistently delivers.
Vote for Carl Levi!
JANET FOREMAN GREEN
Hixson
VW job protest could backfire
No doubt, the people protesting VW hiring policies have good intentions and they have a point, but such action could backfire and prevent other industries from locating here.
Businesses does not like to go where there is strife.
It is business that provides jobs for the workers, and jobs exist where there is a favorable climate for business.
TERRELL FUGATE
Hixson
Henry works to serve all
Re-elect Larry Henry as your Hamilton County District 7 county commissioner.
Larry Henry has served all of us in his district with honesty and effective leadership during his two terms. Without Larry Henry’s dedication and hard work, the much needed new East Hamilton Middle High School would simply not have happened. During one of his terms as chairman of the commission, he was one of those who worked hard to consolidate and bring us better and more efficient 911 services.
In the tough times to come, you can be sure that Larry will serve us well by virtue of the wisdom that comes from his many years of experience in the public, private and business worlds.
Another good attribute of Larry Henry is his willingness to listen and work with all comers, even the high pressure bullies and disrupters, but Larry Henry always comes down on the side of working together in doing the right thing while at the same time holding a line on economic realities.
Please join me and cast your vote for the proven responsibility and effectiveness of Larry Henry in working to serve us all.
GORDON CALHOUN
Bankers’ gifts affect Alexander
Our distinguished Sen, Lamar Alexander’s opposition to the recent Direct Student Loan overhaul, cutting out the middleman (i.e. banks), is understandable. Students don’t contribute to political campaigns. Bankers do.
CARL GOODMAN
Signal Mountain
Join effort to save eastern hemlock
If you’re wondering how to celebrate Earth Day 2010, I suggest supporting efforts to save the eastern hemlock tree may be the best way.
Many people, particularly hikers, know of the eastern hemlock tree’s elegant beauty as well as its uncanny ability to provide deep, dark, refreshing shade even on the hottest days of summer.
An exotic and invasive insect pest known as the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is decimating hemlock tree stands throughout the Southern Appalachian Mountains as well as the Cumberland Plateau. Scientists and other experts fear that without human intervention we can expect to lose 90-plus percent of our beautiful hemlock trees due to an insect people brought to the eastern shores of America.
Earth Day serves to remind us that while we humans can cause extensive damage to our natural world, we can also work together to repair such harm.
Consider donating your financial resources or volunteer your time to one of our local agencies which strive to save the eastern hemlock tree. Go to www.saveourhemlocks.com for information.
WILL LANCE
Government role in health too wide
Arguments for passage of the health care bill relied heavily on stories of people suffering because of problems with health insurance coverage. This “logic” cuts both ways. Will we, five years from now, hear arguments for repeal of the bill because people are suffering due to long waits for care?
A better way to justify public policy is to argue its underlying principles. The most fundamental principle in the health care debate is the question of the role of the federal government. Should the federal government have more control over our lives or should it have less?
The health care bill represents the bigger-is-better, statist view of government: that government should have the authority to control the lives of the people by reducing their liberty and confiscating their property. “Either you buy the insurance we say you need or we will take your money.”
But our nation was founded on the principle that the purpose of government is to protect the lives, liberty, and property of the people. And it was founded at all because the British government had become “destructive of these ends.”
The health care bill is also destructive of these ends. That’s why it should be repealed.
SUE HUGHBANKS
Sequatchie County
Vets can ride Honor Flights
World War II veterans in the Chattanooga area may take advantage of a program called Honor Flights. It will fly you to see the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. (at no cost to you) if you have not been there.
The April flight is filled, but there may be another in September/October.
If you are interested, go online to HonorAirKnoxville.com to fill out an application and send in.
VINCE PATTERSON
Hubert Frye deserves a monument at Ross’s Landing
From 1952 to 1958, Hubert Frye worked for the Textile Division of U.S. Rubber Co. (Uniroyal) in Chattanooga.
All he could talk about was fishing off a rock in downtown Chattanooga, and he dreamed of fixing that area for other people to fish and build there.
The things that have been built near Ross’s Landing were Hubert Frye ideas from 1950 or before.
There should be a monument to him near Ross’s Landing.
JOSEPH WILEY
CARTER REID
Dalton, Ga.