Don’t return coal permitting to state
A bill in the Tennessee legislature that proposes to return the coal mining permit program to the state government is bad news for Tennessee taxpayers. The Primacy and Reclamation Act (SB842 and HB0833) would cost taxpayers nearly $5 million in the next four years to perform a function the federal government is already doing and doesn’t cost the state anything.
Proponents claim it will ramp up coal mining, but the amount of coal mined in Tennessee is determined by market forces and not the regulatory process. There was a nearly 97 percent drop in the amount of coal mined in Tennessee from 1972 to 2013, and right now the demand for coal is at historic lows (not just in Tennessee but throughout Appalachia).
A 2013 U.S. Energy Information Association report noted only 135 people were employed in surface coal mining in Tennessee. Tennessee does not need to spend almost $5 million to foot the bill to support a dying industry.
Please urge your legislators to vote against these bills as there are few benefits of returning the responsibility of coal mining permits to the state. Tell them not to give this group a key to the state treasury.
Dana Wright, Water Policy Director
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Speed cameras accomplish task
I am an independent insurance agent with more than 20 years experience in property and casualty. I’ve seen my share of claims and accidents, and many were related to excessive speeding or running a red light.
I disagree with Sen. Gardenhire on the effectiveness of traffic cameras.Traffic cameras do exactly what they are supposed to do: They slow folks down and give speeders tickets. There’s no difference in a traffic camera ticket or a police officer with a radar gun ticket.
If you are caught speeding, you get ticketed. You can go to court all day long, but the fact remains once there’s evidence, you are guilty and you pay the fine.
I drive the S-curves every day from North Chattanooga to Hixson. The traffic cameras have greatly reduced accidents by slowing folks down. It should remain a local option as to whether to use these life-saving devices or not.
Mitchell Beene, Hixson
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‘We Were Soldiers’ better war flick
As a veteran, I was just having some deep thoughts.
Weeks ago during the press hullabaloo over “American Sniper,” I remembered when I saw “We Were Soldiers,” starring Mel Gibson.
Yes, to me, “Sniper” was enormously entertaining but a tad oversentimental. Baring the family and PTSD scenes, in my opinion, it overall glorified war.
But looking back, “Soldiers” depicted the horrors of war, but it cast the drama from the angst and point of view of both sides, whereas “Sniper” did not.
“Soldiers” humanized and gave a face to the enemy, while “Sniper” did not. But everyone talks about “Sniper” and no one about “We Were Soldiers.”
So what does this say about the viewing public? I don’t think “Sniper” can hold a candle to “We Were Soldiers.”
Mike C. Bodine, East Ridge
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Use Hutcheson floor for vets
I read where VFW Post 3679 Service Officer Larry Hester is trying to obtain an entire floor of Hutcheson Medical Center to be used by the Veterans Administration.
What a great idea, not only to help veterans but to put to use a great facility that needs help. Instead of spending money to build a new clinic, this floor could be used by Georgia veterans and open up Eastgate for the veterans of Tennessee.
I’m writing this letter hoping to reach anyone with any influence in these matters, whether you’re from Georgia, Tennessee or anywhere that might can help.
This is such a great idea and such a win-win, and with the way our government operates, it may never happen, but if enough high-ranking lawmakers join in, it might have a chance.
Jim Griffin, Chickamauga, Ga.