Welch is tireless advocate for schools
These are wonderful times for the families whose children attend the Hamilton County schools in District 2. One can sense renewed energy and commitment by all stakeholders who are connected to Alpine Crest, Red Bank, Rivermont, Nolan, and Thrasher. Red Bank Middle and Signal Mountain Middle continue to build on the strong foundations delivered by the elementary schools and are developing young teenagers into serious and responsible students.
Each of these schools is a key thread in the fabric of the community which they serve. They are a source of pride for each resident in the community, as well as for all of Hamilton County.
Dedicated and professional teachers are to be commended. Energetic and motivational principals and support staff are to be applauded. Well done, committed and invested parents! Great job, students!
And thank you, Jonathan Welch, for your leadership as a tireless representative of District 2 and as school board chairman.
I endorse Jonathan Welch for re-election to the school board. Jonathan serves the voters and families of District 2 well. Build on the positive momentum in these wonderful times and return Jonathan Welch to the school board as District 2’s representative.
Glenn Baird
Signal Mountain
Haynes has not listened to citizens
Marty Haynes, the assessor of property candidate, has continually put the needs of his own political career before the needs of the citizens he’s supposed to serve.
His past record has shown a commitment to ignoring the voice of Hamilton County residents who’ve spoken out repeatedly through referendum and through media platforms – such as a letter to the editor – to demand a tax freeze for senior citizens.
It wasn’t until the opposing candidate for assessor, Mark Siedlecki, brought the disregard of voter voices to the front of the conversation that Haynes even expressed an opinion – that he’d entertain the freeze if it was brought up to him. History repeats itself. That means that no matter what position Marty Haynes is seeking, he won’t necessarily be compelled to serve others until “it’s brought up to him.”
We need an assessor who advocates for real citizens instead of their own resumé. Few, if any, family values take precedence over honoring our senior citizens. Mark Siedlecki understands that. Let’s elect Mark Siedlecki as our next property assessor on Aug. 4.
Dr. Joe Boshears
Harrison
Candidate absences speak volumes
I attended a candidate debate at Olivet Baptist Church sponsored by 100 Black Women of Chattanooga last week. There were several school board candidates absent, namely from District 1, District 2 and District 7. In attendance were all three District 4 candidates and incumbent Donna Horn from District 7.
In such crucial races, I would expect all candidates to attend and not pick and choose where they think their vote might come from. The absence of the predominantely white candidates from those districts sent a very strong message to me as a voter and certainly did not go unnoticed by the obviously predominantly African-American audience.
Those candidates who made an appearance are sending out a strong message to all in the community as to where their values are when it comes to our children. Based on my observance of and comments by attending candidates, I urge my fellow African-American friends in Districts 4 and 7 to vote for the candidates who obviously felt it was important enough to take the time to attend the debate so that those in attendance could get to know them and their platforms better.
Minnie Weams