Tell Congress to back reform
It is our prayer that ordinary everyday working people will never again be forced to pay for the saving of the national economy. Wall Street, the banking industry and other financial big businesses, in their greed and disregard for the working class, have driven us to near bankruptcy as a nation.
The bill that is working its way through Congress now is designed to protect the (vanishing) middle class and the working poor. I pray we will all contact our members of Congress and voice our support for Wall Street Reform.
JIMMY & BETTY KILLIAN
Fort Payne, Ala.
Gobble possesses real-life experience
This election goes beyond just voting for someone you know — or have heard of — or go to church with. I have been astounded how some candidates view their opponents’ challenging inconsistencies in their public statements as negative campaigning!
I am weary of politicians with their attitude of entitlement thinking that voters are too stupid and undeserving to know what they actually believe. As a pastor, I have always been wary of anyone who viciously attacks anything that moves simply because it might pose a threat to their ambition. I have seen the endorsements from individuals and organizations who have no vested interest in my family or the rest of the 3rd District. For me, those facts alone call character into question.
There is only one candidate with a proven public record of successfully doing much of what we are going to need him to do in Washington. I hope he continues to challenge the political rhetoric from some camps and provides “the people” with the truth regarding our choices. That’s not mudslinging — that’s accountability! For honesty, character, real-life experience and class, I am proudly voting for Sheriff Tim Gobble for Congress Aug. 5!
DAVID MCNABB
Hixson
Return Knowles as county clerk
Rarely do I feel strongly enough about a candidate for public office to write a letter. However, this is one of those times.
Bill Knowles has proven over the past several years that he has the administrative ability and deep commitment to manage the office of county clerk in the most efficient manner possible.
He has personally assisted me several times when there was a glitch in a title transfer. At one point, he took the time to set up a long-distance conference call with me to clarify the procedure with a third party. He has never failed to return a call if there was any kind of question I might have about tags or titles.
He has set a standard of efficiency and courtesy that shows in each and every staff member in his office.
I believe we could do no better than to return Bill Knowles to the office of county clerk in August.
LARRY MCGEE
S-D leaders take but do not give
On June 17 and 24, Soddy-Daisy Commissioners Privett and Skiles voted No on giving the employees a 50-cent an hour raise. These employees are the ones who mow the grass in 90-plus degrees, clear the streets of ice/snow, police officers, and office staff that help when we call upon them.
None of the commissioners collects $300 per month that is in our Charter for their service, but Privett and Skiles do accept the health insurance for themselves and half of their wives’ cost. We as taxpayers pay $638.02 for each; that is $15,222.48 a year. I’m sure they would like for this to be kept under the radar screen.
Many times they said they did not get paid for their service. They did it “for the love of the people and enjoy serving our city”? Both have their own business, and I ask how many of their workers have health insurance paid for them by Mr. Privett or Mr. Skiles.
In November, their seats will be up for re-election. Is this the kind of people who will take from you but would hope you did not find out about it, or is it time to clean house?
MARGARET H. CHASTAIN
Soddy-Daisy
Tobacco firms still target youth
Tobacco promotion and providing “free” samples of tobacco products at Chattanooga’s Riverbend Festival is deplorable. We must ban the use and promotion of tobacco products wherever youth and innocent bystanders are present. We cannot allow tobacco companies to initiate our youth into tobacco use, recruiting potential new smokers even as their other customers die from the effects of tobacco.
The tobacco industry has proven to have the power and money to manipulate the thinking of the larger population, making them afraid to speak up about the dangers of tobacco use. It appears that they still cling to the motto: profit has greater value than life itself!
In Tennessee, we are losing the war against tobacco. An unbelievable 46.9 percent of 18-25-year-old Tennesseans smoke, (compared to 38.7 percent nationally). In addition to ensuring “compliance” with state law, we need to focus on educating and motivating our community to the real dangers of tobacco use. We need courageous legislative leadership and support to achieve better outcomes.
We cannot allow a minority of tobacco users to manipulate and rule the majority for fear of tobacco’s financial and political influence.
DIANNE FILLMAN, DDS,
Chairman
Smoke Free
Chattanooga Coalition
City should find more ways to cut
The mayor’s office and City Council, with the exception of the three members who voted against the property-tax increase, have once again demonstrated their ineptitude when it comes to fiscal responsibility and planning.
I am outraged that these people couldn’t find more ways to cut spending. Apparently they find it essential to spend money on superfluous departments like arts, education and culture, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and the faith-based Initiative. Shame on you.
I guarantee that any citizen of this city on a tight budget could cut some fat. Those of us who actually practice financial accountability understand how to cut costs when times are tough.
Kudos only to Deborah Scott, Russell Gilbert and Peter Murphy. I’m just sorry none of them represent my district. A fat raspberry to the rest of you.
LISA S. STRAIT
There are safer ways to get energy
For days, we have read of the wonders of nuclear energy and all the jobs it is bringing to Chattanooga. Yet, we hear nothing of excessive taxpayer-subsidized cost of building nuclear reactors, health dangers of nuclear power, the daily assault on the Tennessee River from permitted releases of radioactive water, and the radioactive waste legacy left for our grandchildren. Then there’s danger of possible terrorist attacks and the likelihood of human error (think coal-ash spills, miner and oil rig deaths, and oil-pipe blowouts).
Who needs these unnecessary worries and risks when cheaper alternatives exist that do not damage health and environment, but do provide jobs?
Industry folks want you to think that we can’t make it without building more nuclear plants or burning more coal to get electricity. However, numerous studies show that energy efficiency, conservation and installation of solar, wind and other Earth-friendly energies will serve just fine and create Tennessee jobs too.
Alstom, keep retrofitting and building power plant components for existing plants, but get in position for transition to making equipment in an energy economy without unsafe, costly nuclear power.
Read more at Mothers Against Tennessee River Radiation at www.MATRR.org and take action.
SANDRA KURTZ