Slow down on stormwater changes
The proposed changes to the stormwater ordinance need more time in the oven. The City Council will consider adopting these changes tonight.
A number of citizens concerned about environmental protection, government transparency and tax equity want the council to vote no or to defer a vote to late February. A deferral would allow time for city staff to meet with all sides, not just the development community.
City residents deserve answers to questions, including: Why are these changes being proposed? What role did Mayor Berke play in influencing the staff recommendation that is now before council? What are the financial implications to all of us who pay annual stormwater fees if expensive stream restoration projects are undertaken to keep the city in compliance with our state permit because we reduced the requirements on the South Chick to accommodate the financial interests of developers?
I hope the council will view this vote through lenses of environmental stewardship and economic development, realizing that our quality of life is one of our top selling points in attracting and retaining businesses and residents.
A no or deferral vote would increase public confidence in city government.
Helen Burns Sharp
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Unity without truth is fatal
In a Nov. 12 letter to the editor (“Reformation was schismatic event”), a writer complains of “celebrating” the 500-year-old schism of Reformation.
Official schism from the truth is far worse than division in the church. It is unsafe to reject the plainest statements of the Bible.
Much could be said, but I’ll offer just two examples. “If anyone says, ‘I know him but doesn’t keep his commandments, he is a liar” (1 John 2:4 and chapters 3 and 5 offer the same thought).
“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53). This occurs “at the last trump,” resurrection (verse 52). God only has “natural immortality” (1 Timothy 6:16). Jesus prayed for unity among his followers, and it exists today but only among those who “love the truth” enough to let it rule their lives (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).
If the Bible is worth anything, unity at the expense of truth is conclusively fatal.
Richard Burns, Cleveland, Tenn.
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Renal disease patients suffer
Those who suffer with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) are very sick individuals and should not have to wrangle with insurance companies over their health care coverage.
But, sadly, that is happening. Private insurance carriers do not want to cover the high cost of dialysis, so they are, effectively, blocking patients from coverage if they have ESRD. Many of these patients are able to pay private insurance premiums – instead of relying on government coverage – because they receive charitable funding. Now, insurance companies are refusing to accept premiums that are funded by charities.
A Senate committee that includes Sen. Lamar Alexander is preparing to hold hearings on the nomination of Alex Azar for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. This would be a great opportunity to address this issue and confirm that Azar opposes this discrimination against ESRD sufferers.
If anyone needs protection, ESRD patients do.
Case Ingle