Dodd deserves to be the chief
I really admire the pick of Chief of Police of Chattanooga Bobby Dodd. He really deserves this post after a long career in the police department since 1986. Eighteen months in between he worked for me ,and that is how I came to know his sense of responsibility, delivery of duties and care for the law. I had noticed all good qualities in him during one year’s stay.
He will be a good police chief.
By all means he deserved the confirmation by the council members.
RON BHALLA
Hixson
Professionalism is Knowles trait
I have known Bill Knowles for many years and having worked with and around him in county government, I am very confident in saying that he has graced his position as county clerk with much integrity and efficiency in all of the operations of his office.
From the time he was first elected until now he has served the citizens of Hamilton County with compassion and the desire to do his job well.
His interest is for the welfare of our county and its citizens.
Mr. Knowles is very dedicated and conducts his office with professionalism and dignity. He is truly an asset to our county and the people he serves.
Be proud, Hamilton County, that we have someone like Bill Knowles to represent us. He is dedicated to his family and has a strong faith in God. His honesty and love for life are just two of his outstanding traits that contribute to his always being the first to respond to the needs of others.
I have been privileged and honored to have worked alongside Bill for many years. I encourage the citizens of Hamilton County to vote on Aug. 5 to re-elect Bill Knowles clerk.
JUDY BROWN
Hixson
Officials’ actions are irresponsible
At just $30,000 per year, you could put 70 people to work for a year. With the absurd expenditure of tax money spent on the county mayor’s office furniture and the city’s “just giving” $2 million to the United Way, 70 families could be fed, insurance provided, etc. The people of Chattanooga should fire their council members who “give” tax money to charities. Charities are for voluntary donations, not forced giving. That is illegal, folks.
And the fiasco at the 21st Century Waterfront is a joke. Throwing money at a fix that has not had a cause determined yet is “good old boy” system action at its best. Investigate why it is crumbling, then proceed with a real solution.
And knowingly operating the Memorial Auditorium at a loss each year is irresponsible stewardship of revenues.
Keep electing these same stereotypical officials to office and you get what you deserve.
RANDALL CARD
Soddy-Daisy
Homeowners pay for officials’ dreams
To all the citizens of Chattanooga who have become discouraged over the property tax increase, I say, “Take heart!”
Have you forgotten Volkswagen is coming? You won’t need money then! Someday, there will be a big German plant over in the industrial park. Why complain about a few hundred dollars taken from your family budget? It is being used to help fund a factory! Why can’t you just be happy, Mr. and Mrs. Selfish and Unthankful Homeowner, don’t you want our elected officials’ dreams fulfilled?
Someone has to pay, and that someone is you!
Don’t you realize that you also helped restore full funding to arts and parks? Who among you doesn’t regularly bid your small children or grandchildren goodbye as they board a CARTA bus to explore Chattanooga’s parks and recreational facilities for a long summer day?
This opportunity itself allows you more free time to work your jobs to pay taxes.
Sounds like some people just want to have their cake and eat it too!
J.B. GRIFFIN III
Evensville, Tenn.
Tea Party needs to add vision
A letter in Sunday’s Perspective section said that elitist intellectuals call Tea Party members Nazis, racists, bigots, illiterate and simple because they demand that our government follows the Constitution. I suspect it’s a little more complicated than that.
First, let’s remember that the birth of our nation began in the minds of intellectuals. An intellectual named John Locke questioned the Divine right of kings. An intellectual named Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. Intellectuals named John Adams and Benjamin Franklin edited it. They were elite in their day.
Secondly, the Tea Party truly seems racist for many reasons. For example, was it a coincidence that they suddenly emerged after our African-American president was elected? The Tea Party seems simplistic for many reasons too. For instance, Sarah Palin uses simplistic binary oppositions of “us/them” or “real Americans/unAmericans” in her rhetoric.
Passion lacks the endurance of vision. The Tea Party seems to be a rabble of irate, self-styled patriots who want to demonize and destroy our government when citizens do not elect their candidates. If they want to be more than that, they need intellectuals instead of pundits to connect their ideas to a vision that works for our country.
SUSAN C. HEARD
Ringgold, Ga.
Founders sought to separate religion
In a July 6 article about the religious beliefs of local political candidates, the pastor of East Ridge Baptist Church, Ronnie Mitchell, stated that the U.S. was founded by “conservative, fundamentalist Christians and radical Bible believers.”
A more accurate description of the role of religion in the founding of the United States was provided in a Metro section article that same day quoting Dr. Daryl Black and Dr. Andrea Becksvoort, history professors at UTC. According to these historians, the founders wanted to separate church from government, “with good reason.” They wished to avoid the problems caused by the close ties between churches and European governments.
The belief that the United States was intended by the founders to be a “Christian nation,” while a useful rallying cry for some Christians, is not supported by the facts. Some of the most influential founders, including Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, believed in a divine being but doubted the divinity of Jesus. For those interested in learning more about the religious beliefs of the founders and their views about the proper relationship between church and state, “American Gospel,” by Chattanooga native Jon Meacham, provides an accurate and insightful discussion of these matters.
CATHERINE LONG
Signal Mountain
Fields’ credentials aren’t in doubt
David Cantrell, who is running as an “independent” for County Commission District 2, is a relative newcomer. Little is known of his political activities.
According to published Hamilton County records, Mr. Cantrell voted in the Democrat primary in each primary election for which he has been eligible.
By definition, those who vote in party primaries are “partisans,” not independents. In August 2006, Bob Corker was in a tough fight with Van Hilleary and Ed Bryant for the Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate.
Mr. Cantrell did not help him or any of these conservatives. Instead, he voted in the Democrat primary and helped choose Bob’s liberal opponent. In August 2008, he again voted in the Democrat primary helping to choose the liberal opponents of Lamar Alexander and Zach Wamp.
Mr. Cantrell says he is independent, but acts like a partisan Democrat. I urge District 2 voters who want certainty that their commissioner will provide leadership for fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency to vote for Jim Fields, a 25-year resident whose conservative credentials are not in doubt.
W. THOMAS BIBLE JR.