Internet access essential for all
As a Polk County resident and county commissioner, I understand and feel the impact of not having adequate fiber access to rural areas in the state.
The only Internet access that many of my constituents have in Polk County is satellite, which can be very expensive depending on what packages you need and undependable depending on weather and other circumstances.
Some constituents have no cell or Internet service no matter how much they are willing to pay for such services. There are many reasons Internet access is essential, from education to telecommuting needs.
There are rural companies that can’t do business because they don’t have fiber access. It is greatly affecting economic development on many different levels.
The state law has to be changed so public utilities can expand their footprint and offer these services. AT&T, Charter and Comcast, you have had your chance so please step aside and let our state elected officials do what is right for all of us.
Karen Bracken, Ocoee, Tenn.
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Brooks’ Cruz opinion belongs on left page
It is no secret that the famously liberal New York Times uses its notoriety and loyal readership to discredit conservatives.
On Jan. 14, it was strange to see a commentary by David Brooks (New York Times columnist) in a conspicuous spot on the Free Press opinion page.
Initially, it was troubling to read the heading of his opinion – “The Brutalism of Ted Cruz.” It was even more disconcerting to tread through his egregious attack on Ted Cruz, who is a highly regarded, widely recognized and faithful constitutional adherent.
The “David Brooks opinion” is not surprising since the New York Times hates Ted Cruz. But, ultimately, the “David Brooks opinion” is no more than an opinion – and a skewed one at that.
It has been suggested, and consequently I am convinced, that a Chattanooga Times Free Press editor apparently made an inadvertent error by placing the Brooks column on the wrong editorial page.
It obviously belonged on the left side. It most certainly would have found a friendlier reception there.
Janet Reeve
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School board headed down wrong path
I watched the local school board vote and I think there are only three people on the board with any intelligence at all. The three who voted no should be proud and Mr. Testerman should be extra proud of his speech.
You mark my word when Rick Smith is gone they will run out to the other side of the U.S.A. and move some outsider (who knows nothing about Chattanooga needs) and pay him a lot more than Smith is making and claim they have to pay more to get someone that we need.
Anyone with management experience can do the job. You only have to have good management skills and surround yourself with good people.
All of the people in Chattanooga are not dummies as some would have you believe.
I for one will work to defeat all of the yes votes that were cast. Wake up, Chattanooga!
Jim Ganoe