Quick work nipped skirmish at Strut
In the midst of a disappointing ending to the Bessie Smith Strut, I would like to recognize a job well done by the Chattanooga Police Department and other law enforcement involved at Monday night’s event.
I witnessed police quickly responding to the skirmish and subsequent crowd panic just moments before it escalated further. It was obvious that communication was occurring and officers were aware of the trouble and responding even before the panicked crowd began to run.
The officers did an excellent job of stopping the crowd from trampling and injuring each other and quickly apprehending those involved.
Although I am disheartened that there were problems again at the Strut, I must commend the way that the incident was handled.
It is a shame that the behavior of a small number of people could overshadow a great cultural event; however, I would like to thank the police for their prompt, professional work.
GREGORY O’NEAL
Kudos to Griscom for his leadership
Praise and thanks are extended to retiring Chattanooga Times Free Press Publisher and Executive Editor Tom Griscom. With his superior leadership, he inspires the staff of our local newspaper to create a one-of-a-kind, award-winning daily masterpiece!
The paper every day has two unique editorial pages — one liberal and one conservative. News events often include a box giving historical background about the subject, not just the new information of the moment. Each edition is organized into five or more sections which groups the news into categories, such as local, county, state, national and world.
The clever wording of headlines always forces the reader to think. Some of the news events also refer the reader to a website for additional information.
The weekly “Community Section News” is a favorite and sorts news items and photos according to sections of town that they serve. “The 3 minute read” is helpful to those who want a quick glimpse at the morning news.
Yes, I offer my deepest thanks to Tom Griscom for the team he has inspired to bring recognition to Chattanooga through the recent awards to the city’s newspaper. Never before has Chattanooga had such a distinguished prize-winning paper!
JOY E. ADAMS
Chambliss’ work with CMC prized
For a number of years until his death last week, John A. “Jac” Chambliss was a loyal member and supporter of the Chattanooga Music Club. His great love of music and interest in the arts lead to his involvement with the CMC and the restoration of the Austin pipe organ in Chattanooga’s Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium.
His generosity, encouragement and counseling with club members was invaluable.
Prior to the completion of the organ restoration in 2007, Mr. Chambliss, who had a special spot in his heart for Memorial Auditorium and for which it stood, suggested that we call the organ “The Voice of the Auditorium.”
The CMC was honored to place this name on the organ and to include the name on all of its printed programs.
Jac Chambliss was beloved by many people and will be missed greatly. We are grateful that we had the opportunity, privilege and pleasure of working with him as a fellow member of the Chattanooga Music Club and for his many years of service to Chattanooga. We will cherish his memory.
THE CHATTANOOGA
MUSIC CLUB
Jim Bailiff, President
Evelyn Gibbs, Chair
Organ Restoration
Committee
Dr. Jack R. Kennedy,
Co-Chair,
Organ Restoration
Enough already with city fines
No wonder so many Cleveland property owners are losing their properties to back taxes owed.
I live in the city, and I just paid a $141 fine because my grass was four inches high. I also paid a fine back in February because my car was parked in front of my house in the wrong direction.
The cities’ traffic-light funds scam only worked until people learned to go around them. We shouldn’t have to subsidize the city’s operating funds because they can’t live within their budget like we have to.
The county is sitting atop a $20 million windfall from the sale of the county hospital, and those funds are hush hush. The local lawmakers all live in the county so they can’t be harassed by these frivolous tickets and having to pay city and county taxes. Enough is enough.
DALE HELTON
Cleveland, Tenn.
Wilderness areas play a vital role
As someone who lives on the Monroe County/Polk County line, I am pleased that Sens. Alexander and Corker have introduced the Tennessee Wilderness Act of 2010. The beautiful and scenic areas that this bill will protect play a vital role in bringing so many visitors to these two counties.
The Upper Bald River Wilderness that will be created with this bill helps protect the headwaters of a river that pours over one of Monroe County’s most iconic landmarks: Bald River Falls. While the additions to the Big Frog and Little Frog wilderness areas may be modest, they help further protect the beautiful scenery that make a trip down the Ocoee River Gorge so spectacular.
Hiking in these new wilderness areas secure in the feeling that they will be protected forever while adding to the economic vitality of the area is very rewarding.
Thank you, senators!
BILL HODGE
Tellico Plains, Tenn.
Exchange books at common shelves
The 2010 Class of Leadership Chattanooga is pleased to announce the placement of two common shelves in Chattanooga. We are seeking continued community support to keep them alive and well in the form of donated books.
These common shelves are located in Miller Plaza’s Waterhouse Pavilion and on the outdoor plaza of Creative Discovery Museum. They are a source of free books for anyone interested. It works on a Take a Book-Leave a Book-Tell a Friend basis.
The common shelf at Miller Plaza is for any books (as long as they are appropriate) and is accessible whenever the pavilion is open. The case at Creative Discovery Museum is dedicated to children’s books (birth to middle school) and is accessible 24/7 on the plaza. If you are interested in a place to take your gently used books then pick up a new one, please consider donating to a common shelf. Please help us keep this project thriving by donating today!
For more information on this project, please visit: www.thecommonshelf.blogspot.com
MINDY BENTON
Soddy-Daisy
Make the Pledge a requirement
With a thousand softy solutions proposed as to how to deal with illegals and aliens, which always result in the harassment of real citizens, there is a very simple solution. Require suspects to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Let them know that “under God,” is done before He Who punishes liars.
Churches who start their services with the Pledge of Allegiance would be exempt from all taxation, as honoring our biblical heritage in the United States. Of course such churches would fear the wrath of God on liars.
“Rid me and deliver me from the hand of strange children, … whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.”
JUNE GRIFFIN
Dayton, Tenn.