Moving his local TV news preference
The local newscasts of Channel 9 and Channel 61 recently have lost all credibility with me.
I would have bet the stations had principles but would have lost. I’ll source my local news from elsewhere and will try to avoid any business or product that advertises on either of these stations.
I invite you to join me in this effort.
Allan Baggett, Trion, Ga.
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Another state ‘boondoggle’
Lawmakers in Nashville are pushing TennCare work requirement legislation to promote their own careers. Sounds good, but it’s a cynical rip-off of taxpayers, as the politicians well know.
The legislature’s own fiscal analysis acknowledges that nearly 90 percent of TennCare patients are kids, people with severe disabilities or the elderly, and that those who can work already do. Less than 3 percent are unemployed adults, and that includes people who have chronic illnesses, are caring for a frail senior or disabled child, or are victims of domestic violence.
In the end, the legislature expects the law to cut off only 3,700 (.2 percent) of TennCare’s nearly 1.5 million beneficiaries.
To achieve that, the legislature will create a huge new bureaucracy to monitor TennCare families and process the mountains of paperwork. That will cost taxpayers $39 million, or more than $10,000 for every person removed.
That’s twice as much as it costs for their TennCare coverage. And once uninsured, if they get seriously ill or injured, the cost of their care will be spread over the bills of paying patients.
TennCare work requirement bills are the very definition of a “boondoggle:” “a project that wastes money, yet is pursued for political motivations.”
Jim Webster, Signal Mountain
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Gravitt ‘honest, man of his word’
We have had the privilege to know Marc Gravitt for almost 30 years, and his family even longer. In business he was always honest and a man of his word.
Marc is a veteran who served in uniform to defend our great country. Marc has also served as our East Ridge city councilman, vice mayor and as state representative.
During Marc’s time as state representative, I’ve had to ask his assistance twice in dealing with the state of Tennessee. After trying to resolve issues with the state and getting no results. I called Marc for help as a last resort. Every time I called, Marc answered the phone, listened to my issue, and within 48 hours my issues with Tennessee were resolved. That is truly what public service is all about.
Marc has served the citizens of Hamilton County and Tennessee with honor, truthfulness and dedication to duty. Marc will make an excellent Hamilton County register of deeds.
Jim and Pam Winters, East Ridge
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Mother’s advice right after all
Years ago my mother advised me to avoid discussing my views on religion and politics, and to this day I do not really know what her views were.
I have learned the hard way in the last couple of years how right she was. I am trying hard to keep those subjects out of my conversations.
Happy Mother’s Day to her in advance. May she rest in peace.
Ralph Hetzler