Readers respond: Dispatcher raises; Let adults use pot; Pride Month about acceptance

Dispatchers need city money for raise

I am writing as the proud wife of a Hamilton County 911 dispatcher. I see the toll, dedication and immense pressure my husband and his colleagues face every single shift to ensure our families are safe. It is deeply disheartening to learn that Hamilton County 911 is unable to provide pay raises for these essential employees.

While the city can allocate millions to bridges and civic projects, it is actively refusing to support the actual, lifesaving bridge connecting our citizens to emergency services.

Dispatchers act as the first point of contact during the darkest hour. They are the calm voice providing life-saving CPR instructions, de-escalating mental health crises and ensuring police, fire and medical personnel arrive in time. They carry the weight of life-and-death situations every shift, yet their compensation does not reflect the specialized skill, immense stress and critical value of their work.

A functioning public safety system cannot rely on underpaid, overworked personnel. Stagnant wages lead to high turnover and staffing shortages — which directly impact response times.

I strongly urge Chattanooga to include adequate funding for dispatcher pay in the budget. Please prioritize these dedicated men and women who serve as the crucial lifeline for our community.

Lynsey Williams

______

Let the adults use cannabis

The article (6/15) about legislation affecting the sale of cannabis led with a very sad anecdote in which a young man developed a mental disorder after over-using THC. I would make four points:

1. Anecdotal evidence is not an argument. Anecdotally, I am a 75-year-old woman who three years ago developed functional neurological disorder, including frequent seizures and involuntary movements, to the point where I am almost homebound. After trying prescribed meds, none helped. I discovered that the sort of CBD sold legally in Tennessee is the only substance that allows me to live a more normal life; there is some Delta 9 in it.

2. Stories of children or teens using cannabis are not part of the discussion. Like any intoxicating substance, cannabis should be completely unavailable to people whose brains are still developing.

3. The products should be rigorously examined and controlled and heavily taxed. Tennessee would see millions in tax revenue.

4. Tennesseans take a far heavier hit from alcohol than they do cannabis-fueled problems. Drunk driving costs countless lives. Alcohol is the source of a good portion of domestic violence.

Let responsible adults use pot.

Lisa Scott

Dayton, Tennessee

______

Pride Month is about acceptance

I am compelled to respond to the editorial (Free Press, 6/17) “When Culture and Baseball Collide.”

(READ: Free Press Opinion: MLB should leave players out of their cultural Pride Night plans)

The consensus of scientific opinion is that sexual orientation is not a choice. Approximately 40% of LGBTQ+ people 13 to 24 seriously considered or attempted suicide in 2024. Suicide is the leading cause of death among LGBTQ+ people in America. According to the Trevor Project, LGBTQ+ young people are “placed at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized.”

Pride Month tells LGBTQ+ people they are worthy of acceptance and should not be ashamed. It is an opportunity for allies to be seen in solidarity. No one should be offended by Pride celebrations. Pride celebrations save lives. No Christian should oppose Pride Month. As Christians we are called to love our neighbor, not to judge them. To suggest that a Christian Night would somehow be a counterbalance to Pride Night is absurd. There is no reason an LGBTQ+ person cannot also be a Christian.

Your editorial promotes ignorance and intolerance. You do not have a choice in your sexual orientation but you do have a choice in what you publish and promote. Please be more responsible.

Jim Milburn

Lookout Mountain, Tennessee