Sewer tax swells water rate increase
With all the reports, stories, pros and cons concerning the proposed water rate hike, I have yet to hear anyone mention the fact of that old Boogie Bear – the sewer tax. We may have one of the lowest water rates in the South, but the punitive sewer tax in Chattanooga is almost 300 percent. When coupled with the sales tax, a nearly $5 rate hike results in a $20-plus rise in the water bill. This should be taken into account by the City Council, the County Commission and the Tennessee Regulatory Authority.
RICK COOPER
Hixson
Bethune ready to aid East Ridge
Almost every day you can read an article in this newspaper concerning the city of East Ridge. Sign onto Facebook and there are may sites where you can discuss things that are happening in East Ridge or most specifically the upcoming election.
True to the national trend, our officials blame the previous officials, etc.
Whose fault is the “unforeseen deficit?” as Mayor Steele called it? The previous city manger, the current City Council? Does it matter whose fault it is? It’s there, and now we have to do something about it.
Jim Bethune is running for East Ridge City Council on Nov. 2. Mr. Bethune is an honest, hard-working business and family man. He has lived the majority of his life in East Ridge and is ready to step up and do something about our city. I personally have seen him deal with different types of situations in our neighborhood and with his family.
He is straightforward and you can take him at his word. There will be no broken promises with Jim Bethune.
That is why on Nov. 2, I will cast my vote for East Ridge City Council for Jim Bethune.
DARLENE KIDD
East Ridge
Obama takes tough questions on trips
A writer’s complaint in the Sept. 27 edition about the use of Air Force One by President Obama for travel to visit constituents left me to wonder. Was she as vocal about presidential trips with campaign implications when done by the Republican Party or is she just upset when it is done by Democrats?
One important characteristic difference between Presidents Obama and Bush is that the former almost always subjects himself during these trips to tough questioning by ordinary citizens, clearly not intended to orchestrate a cheerleading campaign.
And one questions if her concerns also reside with the influence of $1.2 billion in private, undisclosed funding of congressional campaigns. Monies that more likely than not are to further political agendas rather than out of altruism.
Freedom of speech accrues more liberally to those who can afford advertising, and who and what types of institutions might that be?
It would take little effort to find how big money misleads an unsuspecting public. Further, it is a matter of public record, not just opinion, that the Republican Party has stifled every effort to limit big money influence in political campaigns or public policy.
JOHN F. EARY
Ringgold, Ga.
Re-elect Pierce in Red Bank
I have known Floy Pierce for 56 years. She is one of the most moral and honest people I have ever met.
Red Bank should be proud to re-elect her for commissioner.
PEGGY MEADOWS
Don’t waste your time on absurdities
A relative asked me if I had seen video footage of Peyton Manning throwing a football at a kid’s face. She thought it might be real. I had forgotten it was a skit, but not for one second did I think Manning hurt children. He would have been suspended from the NFL. National shame would have been heaped upon his head by the media.
Absurdities can be detected immediately. Alas, many citizens seem to be lacking in their ability to detect them. Detecting absurdities should be natural. Detecting absurdities can save a lot of time for fun things like watching Manning play football. There is no need for hours of inane Internet research.
For example, if President Bush sent military planes into the Twin Towers, he and his administration would be in prison forever. If President Obama was a Muslim, the right wing would have swift-boated him mercilessly during the campaign. If President Obama was not a natural born citizen, McCain-Palin would have slobbered like grizzlies. I don’t need to waste time researching absurdities.
Indeed, if moderates and progressives don’t vote out absurd tea party anarchists, our economy may collapse under the weight of middle school solutions to national problems.
WILLIAM D. HEARD
Ringgold, Ga.
Politicians become ‘collection agents’
We showed the world we are not racists by choosing Obama for our leader. Now we can show the world that we are “just.” Many of us voted for Obama because we thought he would jail Bush and Cheney. Before we had two days to celebrate our victory over the Republicans, Nancy Pelosi announced: “Impeachment” is off the table!” Obama’s ratings dropped 20 points (and have stayed there.)
I’m 70 years old. My total income is $7,400 a year from Social Security. My property taxes are $2,000. Many states with a heart don’t tax their elderly and poor. The truly poor don’t “qualify” for Obama’s stimulus money.
Did you know every dime we contribute to any politician in any party goes straight to the coffers of some big corporation? It’s like every two/four years our candidates become “collection agents” for the very corporations they decry.
Regardless of how the “recall” was denied, the worm has turned. The message from the people is: “If you don’t do the will of the people, you will just have to find another job.” If 9,000 citizens expressed that I wasn’t doing a good job … out of self respect, I would step down.
Use the only power we have, America: Petitions!
ROBERT LEE BROWN
North Crest Road
City must ensure offices needed
Besides confirming the adage that the apple does not fall far from the tree, the revelation that the director of the city’s Department of Art, Culture and Education, Missy Crutchfield, has been running a private business on city time raises troubling questions about city government.
At a time when the mayor felt compelled to ask for a 39 percent increase in the tax rate during a deep recession, here we have a highly paid city employee with the time to engage in such shenanigans. What exactly does this department do for over $2 million? Its website is full of such babble as “connecting the dots between social issues and the arts.”
Similar questions could be raised about “The Office of Sustainability,” a font of ecobabble, and “The Office of Multicultural Affairs.”
It would be reassuring to know that the City Council has rigorously evaluated that these departments are essential to the efficient running of the city and are not sinecures for someone’s cronies. At the moment, I cannot say I am.
TERENCE E.C. KNEE
Hixson
Choose Wood in District 28
On Sept. 25, I met Teresa Wood. She is running for the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 28.
Mrs. Wood was speaking about her goals for our district. As I listened to her, I realized her goals were my goals also.
Mrs. Wood wants better education, safer neighborhoods and more jobs. Teresa knows how to work hard. I do believe that she will work hard for us.
Let’s get behind her, District 28, and achieve her goals and ours. Vote for Teresa Wood on Nov. 2 or vote early on Oct. 13. It is time for a change.
VERNA DONOHOE