Good things afoot at Ooltewah High
I have two sophomores at Ooltewah High School and am frequently asked how they are dealing with the ongoing publicity concerning the alleged rape during a basketball tournament trip.
While this of course greatly concerns me, what bothers me more is that folks do not seem to know about some really good things going on at the school!
Do folks know that the Ooltewah High School Band will march in the Rose Parade Jan. 2, 2017? Do they know that OHS is one of two schools in Hamilton County offering an International Baccalaureate diploma?
There are so many great things that are happening at OHS that deserve more of our attention then they are getting.
Why do these bad news stories get so much of our attention while the good news is designated to the last page of the paper or the final five minutes of a news broadcast?
We need to be aware of and support these ongoing ventures because these current students will one day be running our country.
Mary C. Caliandro, Ooltewah
***
Jetton leadership was evident early
I am writing this letter on behalf of one of the finest men in our community, one I have known for over 35 years.
In 1980, I went to work in a leadership position in the assessor of property office for Claude Ramsey and worked there for 14 years. Today, I have over 50 years of property tax experience.
In 1985, Claude hired five young men to assist us in the 1989 reappraisal. One immediately stood above the rest. Sterling Jetton’s leadership, professional skills and love for Jesus were evident then as they are today.
During those years, I had a problem and Sterling prayed for me the entire time. You see, he truly cares about people. His compassion shines. In fact, he was the first person I called that morning seven years ago when I got sober. Sterling is the “real deal.”
I don’t know Marty Haynes well, but I do know he hasn’t finished his first full elected term as a county commissioner. As for Randy JohnsTon, I worked alongside him in the assessor’s office and can tell you, as the old saying goes, “I know Sterling Jetton, and Randy JohnsTon is no Sterling Jetton.”
Wilburn L. “Bubba” Ricketts
***
Haynes will update assessor’s office
I’m writing this letter in support of electing County Commissioner Marty Haynes as our next assessor of property in Hamilton County.
I have worked on committees with Marty and have been involved in community projects. I have found that when Marty takes on a project, he takes it seriously. He cares about the community and the people he serves. He also takes on projects with a nopen mind and a goal of fixing or improving a given situation.
Marty is the only candidate to have identified specific ways to modernize the assessor’s office to ensure this “administrative” office is customer-focused, capable of supporting the digital demands from property owners today, and, most important, being responsive to the current and future needs of the residents of Hamilton County.
It’s important we have someone who is keeping up with the changes in technology and how we interact with the Internet. It’s also important we have someone who can change the outdated practices of the past.
I encourage everyone to join me and vote for Marty Haynes as our next assessor of property.
David Queen, Hixson