My wife and I are residential owners inside the proposed downtown Business Improvement District. We believe the services specified in, and limited by, its charter will benefit businesses, residents and our tourist guests. Other cities like Knoxville, Nashville and Asheville (our biggest tourism competitor) have experienced excellent results.
The assessments on businesses are reasonable and nominal for residents. The BID is wholly within the district of city Councilman Ervin Oglesby, whose stewardship over the BID we trust completely.
The BID process is perhaps the most democratic possible, with direct voting by those affected by the petition. A large majority have signed their support. Most who did not are indifferent or just didn’t reply. Only a very small minority are opposed.
As with any community proposal, some will always object, but the process is a model of direct democracy in action that deserves council approval.
Richard D. Pinson, M.D.
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Why should we take advice of Jeffress?
“Dallas pastor details American’s pending ‘implosion'” by Wyatt Massey (July 8th TFP)) examines the message of Robert Jeffress, a pastor who maintains God wanted Donald Trump to be elected president. In his words, God “was giving [the United States] another chance.”
Here are other examples of Jeffress’s previously-expressed sentiments:
» Jewish people are going to Hell because Jews can’t be saved.
» Islam and Mormonism are heresies from “the pit of Hell.”
» Pope Francis should apologize to President Trump for questioning his faith.
» President Barack Obama was paving the way for the Antichrist.
» Abortion caused 9/11.
» Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), which legalized same-sex marriage, was the worst Supreme Court decision in our history.
A reminder: The U.S. Constitution says very little about religion, mentioning only there can be no religious test for office holding. Our founding document did not mention God. While Jeffress states non-Christians and atheists have “perverted” the Constitution by making it more inclusive to non-Christians, in truth, they have fulfilled the very essence of its mission.
Lastly, recall Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the goal of human morality should be to guide people in their treatment of others, “cherishing especially their freedom of conscience.”
Michael V. Woodward, Ph.D., Hixson
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We can love U.S. and hate Trump
In a recent opinion, columnist Jay Greeson says Megan Rapinoe is “not unlike the folks who want the country to fail because they do not like the president.”
I and many other patriotic citizens who dislike the inept, egotistical, divisive and immoral man who occupies the White House are owed an apology.
To question our love for America is egregious and shameful.
Sally Scholze
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Debt biggest threat to national security
The No. 1 most fiscally irresponsible individual in the history of the U.S. is now running up our national debt.
The party of less government historically has the most unbalanced budget, and the unabashed culprit is always the military. Free college for all would only amount to 7% of military spending! How long can the Pentagon invent and exaggerate threats to our national security for its own self-preservation?
Debt is the biggest threat to our national security! Did we bring down the Soviet Union? Did Iraq have weapons? Is Iran a threat?
When will we evolve from the cave-man mentality of complete paranoia?
Tom Peck