Was license issue really for safety?
For several years I heard over and over about how driver’s license exams should only be given in English and that it was strictly a safety issue. I’m not sure how many politicians made that claim but it was a lot.
Then all of a sudden Volkswagen makes one complaint about it and they all back off. It really makes me wonder if it was ever really about safety.
If it really was, then is Volkswagen more important than the safety of our citizens? So I would like to know does our safety matter or not?
If it was ever really about safety then I think many of our local politicians need a character transplant, because this proves that they either don’t care about our safety or are liars.
BENJAMIN VOILES
Higdon, Ala.
Fields invites others’ opinions
Plenty has been written about the character and integrity of Jim Fields. My husband and I, as well as numerous others, know him to be a man of great integrity. He is also an excellent “listener” and invites opinions of others.
As an attorney, specially trained in mediation and arbitration, Jim knows there is always more than one solution to any problem. He will take these skills of problem solving and apply it to decisions that will effect the lives of not only District 2 residents but everyone who resides in Hamilton County.
Not much has been mentioned about Jim Field’s support of public education. Jim is a product of a public education from kindergarten through law school. He values the education he received and acknowledges we all have a responsibility and duty to provide the highest quality public education for all children in Hamilton County.
I retired from Hamilton County Schools after 30 years of teaching and have discussed at length with Mr. Fields the issues the public classroom teacher faces each and every day. Mr. Fields has listened with keen discernment and interest.
I urge all citizens of District 2 to vote for Jim Fields for county commissioner.
REBECCA DEEG
Signal Mountain
Wamp statement makes vote useless
Is the election over? I am confused. During the Republican gubernatorial debate, candidate Zach Wamp stated that he has “great faith in God that he has already decided who is going to be governor.” If this is true, should I bother to vote? By the way, what does such a sentiment do to the concept of free will?
MICHAEL V.
WOODWARD
Hixson
Conservative Party growing in ranks
I’m not a Democrat or an Independent. I used to be a Republican, but thanks to RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) in the party hierarchy, I’m no longer needed there either. Apparently, I’m not alone, because the distrust is becoming obvious throughout this great country.
We need a new party, and now it’s available: the American Conservative Party. Its more prominent members are a pleasing mix of broadcasters, journalists, public speakers, and former public servants – men and women, old and young, black and white. Conservatives all, and proud of it, as am I. Our numbers are growing by many millions nationwide, and should be an imposing threat at the ballot box to all liberals on Nov. 2. Oh, and of course, all Tea Party members are automatically included in this group.
There are no membership dues, no scheduled meetings (other than Election Day!), no elected officers, and no “rules of order,” other than a strict adherence to our basic family values and a love for our Constitution. We invite all to join us to regain control of our country as the Founding Fathers established it. We will vote only for conservative candidates. May God bless the Conservative Party in this fight.
JOHN BERGEN
Ringgold, Ga.
Double-deck road through Ocoee
I have been following the Highway 64 proposals very closely. I also travel the Ocoee Gorge route often.
I believe the best and cheapest option is to double-deck the portion through the main gorge. You already have half of the road built. Just soften a few hard curves ad go overhead. A solid base is already in place. Just build a normal four-lane up to the main gorge and then go overhead. As for slides, who knows, the road through the alternate routes may have slides also.
I believe this to be the least intrusive route for the flora and fauna of the region, also. I think the TDOT and other interested parties should give this proposal serious consideration. To me, it looks like a win-win situation for everybody.
GEORGE THOMPSON
Blairsville, Ga.
Record of service is Smith hallmark
Recently, a 3rd District congressional candidate approached me. I told him I was voting for Robin Smith.
He immediately responded by informing me of Robin Smith’s stance on particular issues, in a way that would have made any conservative voter fearfully run from supporting her. The problem the candidate did not anticipate is that my husband and I personally know Mrs. Smith and have observed her record for years on the very issues he chose to speak to me about, one of which was educational liberties.
A couple of years ago, she helped me in fighting a Tennessee House bill that if passed into law would have threatened educational liberties in our state and ultimately harmed our students. This other candidate seemed very misleading as he was trying to tell me what Mrs. Smith was for, when I already knew differently from her record of service.
Before this encounter, I was thinking maybe some of these other candidates were somewhat worthy of the position of U.S. congressman, just not on the level of Mrs. Smith. Their communications bid me to think otherwise. Mrs. Smith’s true record stands. She has my support, along with the support of others who have seen the testimony of her life.
ANGIE MARKUM
Hixson
Cantrell votes like a Democrat
According to the Hamilton County Election Commission records, Mr. Cantrell voted in the Democrat primaries in 2006 and 2008, helping to nominate the liberal opponents of Sen. Bob Corker and Rep. Zach Wamp. Further study of those records and the records of the Fayette County (Georgia) Election Commission show that Mr. Cantrell also voted in the 2004 and 2008 Democrat presidential primaries where he could support other liberals (Obama, Clinton, Kerry, Edwards, Dean, etc.).
Actions speak louder than words. Mr. Cantrell calls himself an “independent,” but he has consistently voted like a Democrat.
I urge voters in District 2 (Signal Mountain, Lookout Mountains, parts of Lookout Valley, Red Bank, Falling Water, Riverview and Stuart Heights) to vote for a true conservative, Jim Fields, for county commissioner. Jim can be trusted to provide real leadership for fiscal discipline, accountability and transparency, not just talk about it.
DAVID L. MOSS
Signal Mountain
Smith not person for 3rd District
At a time when the candidates should be debating the issues important to the 3rd District, Robin Smith’s best argument against Chuck Fleischmann is that he is a lawyer. Would that have disqualified John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, William Howard Taft, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford? Would she dump Mitch McConnell, the highest ranking Republican in the Senate, because he is a lawyer? Or House Minority whip Jon Kyl? Would she throw the senior senator from Tennessee, Lamar Alexander, out of office for being a lawyer? Did she support lawyer Fred Thompson?
Ms. Smith has a “sound bite” mentality, a deep, critical negativity, and a total lack of understanding of American constitutional principles. She is not qualified to be our congressperson. We need someone who actually thinks critically about the issues, who has the ability to lead, and who will be responsible to the citizens of the 3rd District. She is not that person.
JOHN CAVETT JR.