Elizabeth Baker is right choice for commission
I had to chuckle when I read the letter condemning Elizabeth Baker for organizing Stay With Hamilton County Schools.
You see, Elizabeth and her husband have two small children in the Signal Mountain public schools. Surely, an independent (read private) school system would benefit her boys. But as usual, Elizabeth did her research, even paying her own way to Memphis when the Signal Mountain School Viability Committee traveled there (on the taxpayers’ dime) to see how the breakaway improved schools there.
She found there was no assurance that an independent school district on Signal would improve already top-notch schools and no guarantee that it wouldn’t involve a tax increase for Signal Mountain residents. I didn’t realize her dedication to researching issues until a meeting on selling or retaining the Signal Mountain water system issue came up.
Elizabeth Baker will be a full-time representative for District 2 on the County Commission. She’ll investigate the issues. She’s committed to honesty and transparency in government. I’ve heard Chip Baker is an affable guy; I’m sure he is. So let’s let Chip run Riverbend and elect a smart, dedicated woman instead to the District 2 County Commission seat.
Eugenia Allderdice, Signal Mountain
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Forget GOP in House 26 race; elect Jones
In a recent Chattanooga Times editorial, Pam Sohn makes some excellent points as she details the shameless contortions of the Republican-dominated election commission and court proceedings about the departure of Gerald McCormick as the incumbent GOP candidate for Tennessee House District 26.
The hasty process to replace his name with that of Robin Smith is especially disturbing. At the very least, she has a track record of dirty politics, including the infamous “Harold, call me” ad that helped sink Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford Jr.’s run for Senate.
Some of Smith’s actions as the head of the state GOP smack of racism. Many see her run for the House as a stepping-stone for future elections.
However, Ms. Sohn’s editorial really missed the fact that there is already an excellent candidate for House 26. Democrat David Jones is authentic, bright and very committed to serving the people of the district with a total, 100 percent effort. I have personally known Mr. Jones and completely support his candidacy.
Lawrence G. Miller, Red Bank
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Miller deserves to be Hamilton County sheriff
I support Victor Miller for Hamilton County sheriff. He is honest. He has been a police officer in our most troubled communities, a homicide detective, and served as a supervisor of the homicide unit.
He has helped more than double the rate for solved crimes. He will be out in the community. When is the last time you saw our current sheriff, Sheriff Jim Hammond, out in the community? You probably haven’t (one reason being that he spends way too much time in Florida).
In addition, Miller will have a force that more accurately reflects the racial and gender makeup of our county. Our current sheriff’s force reflects his assumed preference for working with people who look like him, male and white.
Hammond has told us what he intends to do if reelected, all of which he could have already been doing. He has had the opportunity to serve Hamilton County. I haven’t heard any new ideas from him.
We need new blood and fresh ideas. We need someone with a proven record of success in making our community safer. Join me in voting for Victor Miller for sheriff of Hamilton County.
Jane Elmore
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Democrats must get over the 2016 election
Do the Democrats understand how they look trying to put down our president? Every day it is a new scandal about our president that goes nowhere. The news media are on a mission to take down this president any way they can. They give the president no credit for all of the progress that he has made in our economy, our foreign policy and the defeat of ISIS, which you hear no more about. He has created thousands of jobs and lowered the unemployment percentage for African-Americans, Hispanics and all other working class people. And don’t forget the tax cuts.
I just don’t understand why people would not be behind his goals to Make America Great Again. There can only be one reason, and it has to be political. This means it will be up to the Republicans to get out and vote Republican this November and keep this country for reverting back to its old ways under the Democrats.
Tom Fricke, Spring City, Tenn.
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Roddy, council members praised for clarity
I attended the July 24 Chattanooga City Council steering meeting at 1:30, not knowing police Chief Roddy would be making a presentation on the “plus one” protocol, which describes increasing levels of force to be used by his officers in an incident. His presentation was clear, direct and polite. Very impressive.
Additionally, the dialogue from council members was equally as direct and heartfelt. I came away with the distinct impression that the voters of every district can be proud that their representatives are, in my estimation, public servants of goodwill.
I thought Councilwoman Carol Berz hit the nail on the head when mentioning her appreciation for the lack of “orchestration” of the dialogue, and later, in the agenda meeting at 3:00, her question of an HR presentation as to what the speaker intended by a bullet point about “diversity and inclusion.”
Any speaker at City Council, County Commission and school board should be prepared to explain the use of emotionally charged words such as diversity, inclusion and equity.
Oliver Campbell
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Elect Chip Baker to County Commission
Chip Baker is the candidate to vote for the Hamilton County Commission District 2 seat.
Chip understands our Hamilton County communities. As a resident for 26 years, coupled with his service and experiences both as a public service leader and his tenure managing Erlanger Children’s Hospital, Chip has developed relationships with individuals and organizations which provide him with insights and perspectives on the important matters in Hamilton County.
Chip is a problem-solver. His style of management is to assemble the right people to discuss ways to solve an issue. Under Chip’s leadership over the last 18 years, Riverbend has emerged as a significant economic engine, boosting the Hamilton County economy by $29.6 million (UT Knoxville research, 2016).
Chip is fiscally conservative. He knows how to balance a budget. The largest item in the county budget is education; Chip is close to these details, having served on the Hamilton County School Board for three terms (12 years), including one term as chairman.
Serving on the Hamilton County Commission requires demonstrated business and fiscal experience and success, along with a reputation for accomplishment and community service. Chip Baker delivers all these qualities. Vote for Chip Baker today!
Mary Kilbride