Fleischmann needs to appear in person
I assume most busy people don’t have an opportunity to spend much time researching candidates before an election.
I went to see Republican candidate Chuck Fleischmann at the tea party debate on Saturday, Oct. 16, to determine why I should vote for him. He had decided not to attend. I contacted the tea party and was told he keeps “ducking” opportunities for debates. I contacted the “Chuck” headquarters and was told Chuck does not plan to do any more debates.
There has been an earthquake in the political landscape, and it appears that just because there is an R or D by the name is not sufficient to win an election.
I’ve read the information on his web page, but I would like to see the candidate in person and see how he reacts under pressure.
If he won’t debate before the election, how can we expect him to debate in our best interest in Washington?
Chuck, if you want my vote you need to explain why I should vote for you, but in needs to be in person!
JERRY PEYTON
High cost of living hits seniors hard
In December 2009, Social Security notified recipients that there would be no increase in payments for 2010 because there was no rise in the cost of living in 2009 although they raised the premium for the Part D drug plan resulting in a net reduction in monthly checks (Obama promised lower medical costs). At the same time, Congress quietly took their pay increases.
The drop in home prices overrode increase in food, medicine, utilities, property taxes, and other basic cost of living for seniors who mostly are not in the market to buy a house. Politicians apparently have written off the senior citizen votes.
The president shockingly said on TV recently that our country could take another 9/11-type terrorist hit since we survived 9/11. He obviously does not know that retirement accounts were hit very hard by 9/11, and another big terrorist attack probably would practically wipe out most retirement accounts, leaving seniors in economic desperation.
Many seniors are unable to work, and those who can work are unlikely to find a job in the ever-shrinking job market.
We seniors expect another letter this December which will squeeze us yet again after another year of even higher cost of living.
BILL LILLY
Davis is not a conservative
An article by Dave Flessner and Andy Sher (Saturday, Oct. 16) describes Rep. Lincoln Davis as a conservative. I would like to know what is conservative about Lincoln Davis.
I have heard him talk on several occasions and decided that he is anything but conservative. By his own words, he says he is a middle-of-the-road congressman, a statement I would challenge. Now, suddenly he is a conservative.
He does not favor secret ballots and he votes with Nancy Pelosi most of the time. I have never seen him side with any conservative issue or actively oppose a left-wing issue. To call him a conservative is misleading and borders on an outright lie.
TONY STAMP
Dunlap, Tenn.
Vote for all Democrats
In Obion County, Tennessee, a house was allowed to burn down while firefighters watched. There were four pets inside. What if there had been people inside?
This was because the owners had forgotten to pay the $75 fee! People tried to pay the full cost to the firefighters to put out the fire while it was burning, but to no avail. The problem here is that property taxes should include fire protection no matter the location.
This is a glimpse of the future of tea party/Libertarian/GOP-run government – “privatizing, keeping government out of everything”! Their “ideas” are basically what is now in place in Somalia!
Sen. Bob Corker, like all GOP politicians, says we cannot afford the newly passed health-care reform. He, like all those in Congress, has the very best health care in the world, paid for by U.S.A. taxpayers. But in the view of the GOP, we are not worth anything even close to the care that they have!
Eventually, the reform will not only save lives, but it will reduce the cost of health care! But only if Republicans don’t destroy it before it has a chance to be effective!
Vote for all Democratic candidates!
WALTER M. BENTON
Signal Mountain
Open refuges to watch wildlife
Re: the Sandhill Crane commentary by Bruce Wilkey, Oct. 17.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife survey for 2006 reports 12.5 million people hunted and 71 million observed, fed and photographed wildlife, which outnumber hunters by 5.8 times. They also report a 10 percent decline in hunting the past decade and a 13 percent increase in wildlife watching. This is a 23 percent turnaround. Why is TWRA ignoring this data?
TWRA has a Watchable Wildlife Program and many wildlife refuges full of watchable wildlife. Why not open these refuges to people who watch wildlife? We have money to spend, our season is open year-round, we will purchase WW license plates to enter these refuges under control of TWRA if you will open them.
Hiwassee Refuge has thousands of Sandhills from November to March. The Sandhill Crane Festival could be a great attraction during this period if TWRA would open the refuge to wildlife observers. This would improve the TWRA WW program and sell many license tags. Killing a few Sandhills will not restore hunting but it could kill the TWRA Watchable Wildlife Program.
You never forget the sound of a Sandhill crane. It’s time for TWRA to change.
HAROLD SHARP
Hixson
Trio is best for Signal posts
I advocate Susan Robertson for re-election for the Signal Mountain Town Council.
She’s been on the council four years and has worked like a house afire for the citizens of Signal Mountain. Susan has knowledge about roads, growth, sewer, water and other issues the town must face. I have never seen her shy away from problems nor fail to devote hours to help the citizens and the town, all for the tidy wage of zero.
Likewise, I advocate Frank Preston, who is a steady, tried and true citizen who has been on the personnel committee for four years. Frank has the discernment that we need on our council. Frank has attended meetings regularly for years too.
Jeremy Rardin, though a younger citizen, has displayed great interest in the affairs of the town and has regularly attended council meetings and served on the design review committee. He shows a grasp of the issues the town faces.
My wife and I attend meetings regularly. The other candidates seem to be good men. But until they became official candidates, I never saw them at a council meeting before. What can they have learned about being good council members in two months?
DUN B. MONROE
Signal Mountain
Glasscock cares for Red Bank
I had been trying for weeks to get a vacant lot cleared that blocked the sight distance going around a curve on Sims Drive.
I called Joe Glasscock, and within two days he came to my house to view the problem. Within a week, the Red Bank Public Works came and trimmed the brush and overgrown shrubs back so drivers could see around the curve. It made the road safer for drivers, and I was able to safely get out of my driveway.
Joe Glasscock cares about Red Bank’s residents and businesses. I will definitely vote for him for re-election because he does care.
GEORGE “PHIL” WOOD
Red Bank
Who are Millard’s two candidates?
At a recent “agenda meeting” held prior to the last City Commission meeting in Red Bank, a discussion was brought up by City Manager Dorsey as to whether or not to schedule a meeting on their regular meeting night of Nov. 2 (also election day). I overheard Monty Millard strongly object to having that meeting because “I have two candidates running and they need to be at the polls” (repeat “I have two candidates running and they need to be at the polls.”)
I wonder who those two candidates are. My opinion is that it will be two of the ones who will no doubt elect him as our next mayor and possibly even our next city manager! That’s a scary thought.
SONNY CRAWLEY
Red Bank