Rossville action is a beginning
I have noticed the recent work going on at Roy’s (Grill) in Rossville. I was surprised at some of the negative comments being made as reported in Monday’s paper. Many seem to think that the city has made a mistake.
As someone who grew up in Rossville and has watched (it) gradually decay over the years while Fort Oglethorpe has grown and flourished, it amazes me that these folks don’t see the connection between the city’s decay and the lack of vision for the future.
Rossville was once a premier small city in North Georgia, enjoying a fine reputation and a host of quality businesses serving almost all of North Georgia. Those businesses or their successors moved on down U.S. 27 for a few miles and now fill tax coffers in Fort Oglethorpe and Ringgold. Sad but true.
Helping a private investor begin the rejuvenation may not be a cure, but it is better than standing back and watching Rossville die.
MICHAEL E. LONG
East Ridge
Changes make newspaper better
After reading the news-less press for many years for lack of a better alternative, I was very disappointed when the two papers merged. It was an even poorer excuse for a newspaper.
I wondered what changes we would see with a new editor. It’s like a new paper! Your improvements are apparent and on the right track to make our local paper on a par with the best in the nation. The length of articles now makes for greater depth of understanding, more facts and both sides of the story. Investigative reporting has never even existed and you have spearheaded the kind of information-gathering this city has always needed.
It’s nice to see pictures of the photographers, and I would love to see an entire page with bios of each of them. They are very talented and recognition for them is long overdue. Of course, Clay Bennett is just beyond praise; he is a genius.
Thanks for taking bold steps to make our paper something to rush out into the driveway for every morning instead of just something to use to line the bird cage.
ROBBIE MOORE
Hixson
Surviving spouses can use military tag
In June 2009, my husband of 43 years passed away. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1985 with 20 years service.
During his retirement, our cars had military license tags. We were proud of his service and proudly displayed those retired military tags. Imagine my dismay when, in March 2010, I went to renew my tags and was informed I was no longer entitled to that tag. It was a blow to my very soul. Please understand, the staff at the registration office were very kind and sympathetic but their hands were tied by state law. They checked and rechecked their guidelines, but I was forced to relinquish my military tag.
After returning home, I contacted Sen. Bo Watson’s office. They responded very quickly and positively. As a result of his and his staff’s actions, Senate Bill 2870 was passed allowing surviving spouses the privilege of continuing to display our military tags.
I was privileged to meet Sen. Watson at the recent National Cemetery Veterans Day service and thanked him personally. He said they were simply unaware of this situation. Everyone please know; it is possible for one person to make a change. And surviving, qualified spouses, you can have that military tag.
NANCY BOVELL
Harrison
Scenic assets help city thrive
Steve Barrett’s Nov. 14 commentary warns that Chattanooga’s proposed viewshed ordinance will be a law of unintended consequences. Many believe we risk unintended negative consequences if we don’t attend to our scenic and historic assets.
Chattanooga stands on the brink of development that will benefit us all, but only if we employ forethought and planning. We rank high in livability partly because of our natural setting, but lacked that distinction before we focused on our blueways, greenways and natural beauty. History is good business, contributing significantly to our economy. Last year it attracted a million visitors, who spent $50 million here.
Those who claim that BlueCross BlueShield would not have been built if the ordinance were in effect should know that Cameron Hill is not affected by the ordinance. It was unprotected. Thankfully, BlueCross made lemonade out of our lemon.
Contrary to Barrett’s claim, the term “viewshed” is not “alarmist jargon.” It’s a 30-year-old forest management and urban planning term, similar to the related “watershed.” If there’s concern about the proposed ordinance, let’s have a public forum where we can get the facts, ask questions, and discuss the consequences of a future with and without viewshed protection.
KAY PARISH
Wrong word alters intent of letter
A Times Free Press letters editor miswrote a word I used in a recent letter concerning the misuse of historical information in a Walter Williams column (“Untaught history,” Nov. 7). The letters editor’s error made a significant difference in my letter’s interpretation and intention.
I wrote that “many” early Americans saw themselves as citizens of their states first, the nation second. The Times Free Press carried that sentence as early Americans “mainly” saw themselves as citizens of their states first, the nation second.
Using the word “mainly” implies that a majority of Americans felt that way. I’m not sure they did, and this was not the impression I intended to give. I’d say “many” felt one way or the other but that perhaps the majority didn’t know or didn’t care significantly either way.
By using the wrong word, the Times Free Press makes my letter appear to echo Walter Williams’ contention that the country was “mainly” for states’ rights and smaller government – two things we’ve gotten away from today and two things the Free Press side of the editorial page often advocates. This was not my intent.
GRADY S. BURGNER
Constraints limit manufacturing
The EPA and TDEC have done more to destroy employment in the U.S.A. than any other government program could ever create.
Their overreaching regulations forced Southern Wood Piedmont (and their 12 other locations) to close in 1982. SWP, which manufactured cross ties since the ’20s and employed thousands of workers (multiply X 12) throughout the years, could no longer operate for fear of EPA fines.
I and countless other employees worked 20, 30 and even 40 years for SWP. Where are people going to work if we continue to place unbridled regulations on manufacturing?
I agree all companies need to be good stewards of the land, but we can’t all work at Internet coffee shops. Somebody’s got to make something every now and then.
Show me one person who has died from exposure to creosote. A 2005 mortality study of creosote workers found no evidence supporting an increased risk of cancer death.
I’m 82 years old. I worked in and around creosote for over 40 years, and I’m still kicking!
SWP spent over $250 million cleaning up all their sites.
Kudos to Clayton Bullington of TEDC who declined comment. At least he knows when to stop beating a dead horse.
B.P. “SMILEY” DANIEL
former plant superintendent
Southern Wood Piedmont