Pre-K program a good investment
Regarding your editorial (Feb. 3) “Balancing Tennessee’s budget,” I was glad to see that funding for pre-kindergarten was maintained at the current level despite the tough budget conditions.
Tennessee’ pre-K program is one of the most important investments our state can make because it substantially improves graduation rates, significantly reduces later crime and give us an outstanding return on our investment.
As Chattanooga’s chief of police, I am painfully aware that over 70 percent of the people we arrest, convict and imprison do not have a high school diploma. Since over three in 10 Tennessee youths do not have a high school diploma, the number who are vulnerable to becoming involved in crime should be a concern for all of us.
High-quality pre-kindergarten is the one initiative shown by research to reduce the chances that at-risk 4- year-olds will fall behind in school and eventually drop out. Two long-term studies demonstrate that pre-K helps disadvantaged children with the educational and social skills that help them to succeed in and enjoy school.
Early success in school dramatically reduces the number of children placed in special education classes or who have to repeat grades and as well as increasing the number of high school graduates. That means less crime and a more productive citizenry. According to a report from “Fight Crime: Invest in Kids,” an organization of which I am a member, if we could increase Tennessee’s high school graduation rate by 10 percentage points we could reduce violent crime by 20 percent and save the state more than $350 million per year.
From my perspective, preserving pre-K in Tennessee is good for our children, good for our economy, and good for the safety of our communities.
FREEMAN COOPER
Chief of Police
Pray Tiger becomes hero in God’s eyes
Open letter to Tiger Woods: “How have the mighty fallen” (2 Samuel 1:27).
Forgive us for putting you on a pedestal. You were the embodiment of all we wished for in our heroes (young, handsome, clean cut, clean-living, gifted, successful, rich) and we forgot how very young and vulnerable you were. So, instead of surrounding you with prayer, we idolized you and set you forth as an example four our children to emulate.
And now that Satan has attempted to devour you, we pray that you will come to the One who loves you and is able to forgive and restore those who come to Him in repentance. He is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9) and has promised those who come to Him that “old things are passed away, behold all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
We are praying for you now, Tiger, that you will become a hero in God’s eyes.
CYRILLA CURTIS
If power wanted flat tax, we’d have it
I sometimes wonder if the Free Press editor and his teapotter buddies have ever read the U.S. Constitution. They quote the 10th Amendment, but ignore Article I, sections 1-10, that defines Congress, its make-up and responsibilities.
Much like they love to take Bible Scriptures out of context to support their individual viewpoints, they would have us to believe the 10th Amendment supersedes everything the Constitution says up to that point.
They clamor for a flat 10 percent federal income tax rate, but they should realize that if power and wealth wanted that circumstance, then that’s what we would have.
I’m at a loss to explain how so many common people can be stirred up and talked into voting against their own best interests.
I don’t believe the chickens would vote for Col. Sanders to run the hen house.
As for the teapotters’ bristling at being called racists, I can only tell them that if the shoe fits, wear it.
ALLAN BAGGETT
Trion, Ga.
City should OK panel’s proposal
Common sense must prevail. The City Council has delayed voting on the Blue Ribbon Committee budget for stormwater fees. This committee has worked tirelessly for two months to come up with a budget that would be acceptable to the city and its citizens for stormwater management. Profits and non-profits having multiple ERU (Equivalent Residential Unit) would see anywhere from 300 percent to 1,000 percent increase in their fees. I only see profits and non-profits moving out of the city.
I urge the citizens of Chattanooga to e-mail, call, or write the City Council to approve the recommendation of the Blue Ribbon Committee.
SCOTTY MARCUM
Senior Associate Pastor
Highland Park
Baptist Church
Merge police units, then cut city taxes
Knowing that anticipated sales tax revenue has not been experienced this year makes one realize the city treasury is running low, but it seems unfair to force a few to pay for all.
This seems to continue to be the thought process not only in the city but throughout the country.
Since city residents are already paying for county police services, isn’t now a good time to remove the double tax burden city residents are under and consolidate the city police with the county sheriff’s department? Instead of increasing city fees just because they haven’t been raised for a few years, we should be able to have a reduction in property taxes when the city police budget is removed from city property tax assessments.
GORDON ANDERSON
Public schools lack options for ADD
My husband and I are grateful for the great education our two older sons have received in public schools. Sadly, we doubt our youngest son will meet with the same success.
He’s bright and reads at grade level but has focusing issues and has recently been diagnosed with ADD. He’s neither hyperactive nor disruptive in the classroom. Currently he’s not taking any medication for this condition.
Most parents would do anything to help their kids succeed in school. For many parents of ADD/ADHD kids, the choice is medication. Other parents, who aren’t sure long-term medication is the answer, quickly find few other options exist. The lack of options in helping ADD/ADHD kids succeed in public schools is a problem. Children with ADD/ADHD aren’t all affected in the same way. Some kids might cope without medication if given the right support by parents and schools.
Public schools aren’t equipped to make adjustments for ADD/ADHD kids who aren’t taking medication.
A private school may be a better place for our son. What about parents who work hard and yet cannot afford this option? Will they be forced to depend on medication for lack of anything else?
ANGELA WHITAKER
Signal Mountain