Smith has courage and dedication
Why we’re voting for Republican Robin Smith for U.S. Congress 3rd District:
She has the courage to confront President Obama’s detrimental policies that plague our country. Robin had much success during her service as Tennessee GOP chairwoman by taking control of the Democrat-led Legislature.
Robin was first to call for repeal of ObamaCare. Her rock solid commitment in reducing our bloated government and wasteful spending by underhanded politicians will be a huge positive step for her constituents.
She’s an advocate of pro-life policies, Second Amendment rights, and enacting whatever lawful measures it takes to achieve a balanced federal budget.
Robin has what it takes to help get our country out of the ditch. Her strong voice for the people and doing the right thing will make hers a voice that will positively resonate with the rest of the country as it has already in the 3rd District.
As we get closer to the primary, some of the threatened candidates who are trailing her will start attempting to smear her. Robin is a character of the highest integrity, transparent, and dedicated to her family.
As for our family, we are very proud to cast our vote for Robin Smith on Aug. 5.
PAMELA & LARRY
DOWDEN
Soddy-Daisy
Others will clean up Obama’s messes
A letter in the paper (June 18) stated that Obama has been staying real busy cleaning up the messes caused by the other 43 presidents.
I do not think they have looked around at what’s happened while he has been in office.
At this time we are going for a record debt. His health plan is one way to curb Medicare. … I don’t see this as having been caused by anyone but him.
So, how many presidents after him will it take to straighten up the mess and debt he has created for the next generation?
KELVIN H. FLEMINGS
Soddy-Daisy
Keep bicycles in the street
Recently, I stepped off the bus at Miller Park and an old man on a bicycle came zipping by about one yard from my face. I could understand if he were a little child with training wheels on the bicycle who needed to be on the sidewalk. Not an adult.
Sidewalks are for pedestrians. Ride bicycles in the street. Is there not a city ordinance covering this?
JOHN MULRY
Nuclear safety must be discussed
Alstom may provide well-paid jobs, but how much risk are these jobs worth?
Nuclear power is safe, of course, until it isn’t, but by then it’s too late.
Nuclear plants are safe, but not so safe that private insurers are willing to cover any of them, leaving “Big Government,” aka us, on the hook should any mishap ever occur.
Why is that? Is it because their statisticians have looked at the odds of a fantastically rare but awesomely destructive catastrophe and concluded that no payout on the front end could make it worth the risk? Possibly, but why aren’t we having the same discussion in the public sphere?
DAVID WELCH
Signal Mountain
Honor Guardsmen do valuable service
Military funerals have not diminished. Jack Draper of Ringgold, Ga., along with Ralph Wilson and other members of the American Legion Post 95, are certainly to be commended for their 15 years as Honor Guardsmen. As an update to Post 95 Honor Guard activities this past year, we participated in 180 veterans’ funerals. For most, we were just the firing squad. At others, in addition to firing, we were pallbearers, flag folders and presenters. We have had as many as three in one day and six in one week.
Our commander, Lester Norton, an ordained minister, has preached at many of these funerals. We have 15 members on our roster and the National Guard has certified all but one to perform military services at veterans’ funerals. All of these members are volunteers and give of their time and money to participate.
Our longest service was 15 miles south of Trenton, Ga., and the last nine miles was on a red clay muddy road. We were treated to snow showers during the service.
We join with VVA-203 and all other veterans organizations in honoring all veterans at their final resting place.
BILL HORTON
Past Commander
American Legion Post 95
WWII Veteran
Voters can decide on taxes, services
Regarding the potential property tax increase, Councilman Benson is quoted in your paper as saying “Sometimes government has to do things the public does not like.” He further observed that “If you want a vote, that is how Jesus got crucified … with a vote.”
Mr. Benson, like many local, state and federal officials, needs to be reminded that we still live in a democracy. Elected officials are public servants; they work as representatives of the citizens of their districts. They do not serve in the role of a parent or a homeroom teacher. They are not benevolent dictators.
Voters are perfectly capable of deciding whether they want higher taxes or reduced services. That’s the essence of democracy. It seems some elected officials view their job as a large-scale game of Monopoly in which they use only “play money” and push the lives of struggling citizens around like tokens on a board.
Council members aren’t elected because they are smarter than their constituents and know what’s best for them. In spite of Mr. Benson’s ill-chosen remarks regarding the crucifixion of Jesus, voting is still a good thing. We still live in a democracy. Public servants are just that, servants of the public.
DALE MARTIN
Ooltewah
Police and EMTs to be commended
I thank the police officers and EMT workers on June 14, the night of the strut. They came to my aid quickly and professionally. I was injured and had to go to the hospital.
Officers also arrested the person who was responsible for the stampede that happened that evening.
Again, thank you to the EMT workers and officers who worked Riverbend because it could have been worse if they hadn’t responded when they did.
CAROLYN D. WILKES
Maintain trust, deny zoning bid
The zoning process and public trust are being tested.
The Regional Planning Commission (RPC) has voted three times, including twice in 2010, to deny an R-3 (multifamily) zoning request for a proposed apartment complex in Ooltewah. This should be the end of the story, but unfortunately is not.
Refusing to accept the decisions made during the ordinary process, the land owner, a prominent local physician, pursued and achieved annexation into the city of Chattanooga. Some city representatives on the RPC now support the R-3 zoning request, after voting to deny it previously.
Why would support for the project suddenly materialize? The only conclusion is the property owner has better connections at City Hall than at the Hamilton County Courthouse. This maneuver is venue-shopping and is clearly an attempt to circumvent the process.
Now the decision belongs to the Chattanooga City Council. If the City Council overrules the RPC by approving R-3 zoning, confidence in our local political process will reach a new low. I’m hopeful the City Council will give us reason to trust the process when it votes on July 13.
Please let the Chattanooga City Council know you want the public trust of the zoning process maintained.
STAN BURTON
Ooltewah