Consider costs of illegal aliens
A letter (July 16) said illegal aliens paid the same sales tax for goods the writer purchases. Ditto the gas station, property taxes in the rent paid to the landlord, etc.
The writer did not mention the true cost of illegals. Since doctors, nurses, scientists and technicians will not be hiking through the desert, sans passport, those doing so likely have no skills to offer except cheap labor.
According to a recent report, “The Fiscal Burden of Illegal Immigration on United States Taxpayers,” published by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), the estimated cost of illegal immigration at the federal, state and local level is $113 billion. These greatly exceed the amount the study estimates paid by the illegals.
Estimated costs, in millions, to Alabama $298; Georgia $2,399; and Tennessee $547.
The letter also praises the illegal aliens working in agriculture. I suspect that if many Americans on welfare, food stamps, subsidized housing and other freebies had to take these jobs to keep the freebies, the berries would get picked.
Remember in November!
HORTON HERRIN
Dalton, Ga.
Upgrade road through Ocoee
The recent Ocoee River Gorge Transportation Planning Report shows accident crash rates for two-lane sections of U.S. Highway 64 dropped from 2.50 wrecks per million vehicle miles for the period 2004 through 2006 to 1.51 crashes for 2005 through 2007 primarily because of TDOT’S 2006 Safety Update improvements. Only the four-lane between Thunder Rock and the Whitewater Center (1.05 miles) exceeded the critical crash rate for 2005 through 2007.
Additional corrections were made during the rock slide closure like adding a 15-foot shoulder at the “Truckers Curve” where previously none existed.
ARC only funds new road construction, despite that potentially requiring mitigation for millions of tons of acidic rocks, whether the new route would cross the steep and dissected Big Frog, Little Frog or Fairview Mountain where slide potentials might also be created. Current option estimates do not include pyrite disposition costs.
The approximate 5,000 vehicles per day through the gorge do not warrant a four-lane road, and public funds would be better spent upgrading the existing roadway like constructing interchanges at the Whitewater Center and the rafting put-in so turns do not have to be made at grade.
KIRK JOHNSON
Marion officials doing good job
One of the most important privileges of the year: vote and the choices are yours!
We have some excellent people on the ballot for office in Marion County, and I would like to endorse their election.
Sheriff Burnett is doing an excellent job and could not have anyone better then Ronnie Lancaster to fill his position as chief deputy. They are enforcing the law in a fair and equal demeanor and also working diligently to get the drug dealers out of circulation.
Sue Blevins has the experience needed for the trustee job. I have known her family for several years and know they are honest and dependable.
Lonna Henderson has the experience needed for the Circuit Court clerk’s job and has worked for some excellent people, Mrs. Griffith and Mark Raines.
Dwight Minter is doing an excellent job as county court clerk. He has a staff that is complimentary to him.
I personally feel that our Congress is on the path to a socialist government, ignoring the Constitution of the United States. I do believe, however, that the majority of the people in the United States of America will prevent this from happening in the upcoming elections.
PHIL KENNEMORE
New Hope, Tenn.
Arnold has vision to elevate education
I am a 15-year veteran public school teacher with advanced degrees in school administration. I endorse Dean Arnold for school board.
I was raised in East Ridge. My father, Council Daniel, served on the first board of the East Ridge pool. Values are important to the East Ridge community.
Dean is a conservative Southern gentleman who is well educated, bright, capable, straightforward and assertive. He attended Covenant College. I first became acquainted with him when he worked with the Chattanooga Resource Foundation as their public policy director. He has a Christian world and life view.
In Dean’s book, “Old Money New South,” he calls for more bridges to be built between the private and public sectors. Just imagine what would happen if each of us – from the wealthiest, oldest citizen to the youngest, least financially advantaged – was concerned with education and willing to give both our time and money to be part of the solution.
There is a Proverb in the Old Testament that says “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” I am convinced that Dean has the “big picture vision” needed to develop a strong educational culture in Chattanooga where many people become involved to create something great.
SABRINA DANIEL
Winters puts duty over self-interest
I have known Jim Winters both professionally and personally for some 15 years. Jim has served Hamilton County as a respected law enforcement officer and medical examiner and now operates several successful businesses as owner of the Winters Companies.
If you share the prevailing concern about integrity, trust, and duty to community over self-interest, I ask you to join me in supporting Jim Winters for District 8, Hamilton County Commission.
Jim is a good man, with no hidden agenda, no axes to grind, and no political favors owed.
He understands the efforts needed to meet a payroll, the negative effects of crushing government rules and regulations on small business, and the impact of double-digit tax increases on working families.
We want people in leadership positions who remember what they promised us as they were running for office, a person who will do what they said they would do. Such a man is Jim Winters.
Please vote for Jim Winters.
JIM STEVENS
Swafford dedicated and experienced
I endorse Ron Swafford for Juvenile Court clerk. Being an exceptional educator in Hamilton County, I am able to recognize a dedicated and experienced worker.
Knowing Ron for many years, I can vouch for his effectiveness. Ron was a probation officer, crisis intervention counselor and supervisor for intake services for 15 years at Juvenile Court before being elected to the City Council in 1993 and e-elected 1997. He worked diligently for the citizens of District 5.
Ron returned to Juvenile Court in 1998 when he was elected Juvenile Court clerk. Serving 12 years in this position, Ron has upheld the duties of this constitutional office as outlined in the statute. While this is not a high-profile office, he and his staff perform very important duties making sure that the court docket, court cost, fines, restitution and all legal areas of the court are handled in a professional manner.
Even though Ron works at the court countless hours, he still finds time to be a role model for our youth and participate in activities to improve our communities.
Ron and his staff have done a great job at Juvenile Court. I encourage you to vote for Ron Swafford.
THERESA K. CUSTER