Johnston would serve county well as register
I would like to recommend Randy Johnston for the position of Hamilton County register of deeds. I firmly believe he is well suited for this role.
As a local businessman, I have known Randy for many years. Randy has worked in the Hamilton County Tax Assessor’s office for more than 33 years. He has built solid relationships with citizens, taxpayers and employees of Hamilton County during his long tenure; this gives him unique insight to the position he is seeking.
In addition, Randy was a business owner for more than 20 years. He has dealt with budgets and employees and is known to follow up to ensure the job gets done. His reputation is impeccable.
Randy Johnston would add value to the office. As for my employees, fellow citizens and family, we are voting for him. Vote for Randy Johnston on Tuesday.
Harry Harnett III
***
Gravitt the smart choice for register
Marc Gravitt and I are both U.S. Army veterans and real estate brokers. I have known Marc for many years from seeing him at veterans events.
In the last few years, Marc and I have worked together on real estate transactions. Marc is honest in his business dealings, even if it cost him future business. The important thing is that Marc doesn’t tell people what they want to hear; he tells them the truth and offers sound business advice.
While serving in the Tennessee House of Representatives, Marc has worked passionately on veteran and real estate-related issues. Marc has carried legislation that will substantially help Chattanooga’s own Charles H. Coolidge Medal of Honor Heritage Center with funding and tax issues.
As a real estate professional, I am happy to support Rep. Marc Gravitt in his election for Hamilton County register of deeds. Vote for him on Tuesday.
Maj. Gen. Bill Raines Jr., U.S. Army (Retired)
***
Do not forget gun violence survivors
Thank you for your April 26 front-page article titled “Healing process begins for victims,” as a follow up to the Waffle House shooting which stole the lives of four young people and wounded four others.
The story that the Antioch Waffle House has reopened and will donate a month of sales to the recovery of the wounded and the victims’ families was very encouraging.
The reality of experiencing gun violence adversely affects even trained soldiers and law enforcement officers. Gun violence is among the adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) endured by children in our community.
Without community, family and usually counseling support, survivors of gun violence may experience a basic loss of safety in the world, have recurring nightmares, may relive the emotion present during the trauma when triggered by even the most subtle reminders of the event, and find their social, family, and work relationships disrupted because of these consequences.
In your coverage of these gun violence events, thank you for remembering the survivors.
Because unlike TV/movie gun violence depictions or what we imagine about how we would respond, real-life gun violence experience has hard consequences.
Rev. V. Thomas Banks