Students do well despite conditions
I really don’t understand why the Free Press editorial staff is “disappointed” with the level of academic achievement of Tennessee students. They state in Sunday’s editorial that Tennessee ranks 41st in academic achievement. What they failed to report was that we also rank 46th in per student expenditure on education. I could understand this level of funding if Tennessee ranked 46th in per capita income, but it doesn’t. It ranks 35th! In other words, we don’t treat our own children average!
Every time I try to get a business to lower a price on an item, I always hear, “You get what you pay for.” In this case, Tennessee is getting better results than investments would indicate. Teachers and principals across the state should be commended for their efforts under very trying circumstances.
If this state really wants to get serious about improving education, it is going to take the resources necessary to establish a competitive salary and benefits package that can compete with business. This is what is required to attract the best college students into the field of education. Remember, “You get what you pay for!”
KEN BARKER
Hixson
Smith has proven record of winning
The race for Zach Wamp’s District 3 seat in Congress offers some stark choices for voters in Chattanooga.
Robin Smith, the former chairwoman of the Tennessee Republican Party, is running against trial attorney Chuck Fleischmann.
Both of these candidates speak and profess conservative values. Under Robin Smith’s leadership in 2008, the Republican Party took control of the Tennessee Legislature for the first time in over 140 years. Robin Smith knows how to win as a Republican. She knows how to get conservative values into law.
Chuck Fleischmann is a trial attorney with lots of money and as of Feb. 3, 70 percent of his campaign funds were from himself (this from his own Web site!).
My main concern is that Republicans will once again go off of the reservation.
Robin Smith ran conservative Republicans and won.
Chuck Fleischmann is a trial attorney, a group known to support the Democrat Party nationally.
While in Washington, whom do you think is more likely to cross the aisle? Who has proven the ability to defeat the Democrats? Republican voters have much to think about. One candidate has a proven track record of winning. As a Republican voter, whom do you trust with your values?
AARON G. MARGULIES
Knoxville, Tenn.
Knowles family is appreciative
On behalf of the Bud Knowles family, I want to express appreciation to the Chattanooga Times Free Press for the account of his public life and for the kind tribute paid him on the editorial page of the Free Press.
Also, we are appreciative to the community for their outpouring of sympathy. His family, too, is proud of his Christian life and service as Administrator of Elections in Hamilton County. We will greatly miss his presence and love from our daily lives.
BILL KNOWLES
County Clerk
What a great day at Augusta
Sunday at Augusta we witnessed a true Southern tradition, pimento cheese, egg salad sandwiches and one of the greatest day of golf one will ever see.
Rhett Butler and Scarlett would have been so proud.
Yea, it’s the South and so many groups want to change the way this club’s membership is aligned. However, when you come to Augusta you realize that it is class and acceptable for all.
Down here we know how golf is played and the respect we show to all golfers … Tiger as an example.
Phil Mickelson carried a tremendous burden on his shoulders and showed to the golfing world how much character, ability and love for his family he has. Bless him and his wife and family.
If you play golf, you certainly understand how this sunset, whether over Augusta or over our course here at Peninsula by Mobile Bay, is so grand. What a great day.
MICHAEL MCCLURE
Gulf Shores, Ala.
Writer misguided on auto emissions
We were driving through your area on Sunday and picked up your paper, which is excellent by the way. However, I read a commentary by David Lillard on “Cars killing trout streams.” I would have to say it was one of the most poorly informed pieces I have ever read.
I happen to be a dedicated trout fisherman in Michigan and also a former professor of engineering where I worked on auto technology including exhaust emissions.
A couple of quick points: Nitrogen makes up 80 percent of the air we breathe and cars have no impact. Also, there is a small quantity of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas formed by the heat generated in the combustion of fuel and air in the engine.
This is considered a pollutant and has been the subject of control for many years. In fact over 98 percent of these oxides are eliminated before being exhausted to the atmosphere.
Consequently it is clear that Mr. Lillard really doesn’t know what he is talking about. He should stick to fishing unless he is willing to do a bit of research to understand the facts.
I’m sure you have received others’ comments on the commentary.
DAVID E. COLE
Chairman
Center for Automotive Research
Ann Arbor, Mich.