Legal drag strip available for all
In the editorial on drag racing (Jan. 25), everything you wrote is basically true. But you failed to mention there is a legal drag strip just across the Georgia line on Scruggs Road, only a few blocks from I-75.
The Brainerd Optimist Club has operated this track for over 50 years. Anyone can race who has a driver's license and safety equipment on their car. It just takes $20 and you can run on a safe track with guardrails and receive a time slip with your elapsed time, reaction time, speed in MPH, a win light at the finish line.
The track has a first-class ambulance and security provided.
Serious racers can run for money every weekend for a higher entry fee. The timing equipment is the latest state of the art.
I raced at Brainerd since 1957 and attended nearly every race as a spectator. My job as track publicist is printed on your sports page, and I thank Ron Bush and his staff for their work.
CHARLES "RED"
HARRIS
Gifts for Neediest show compassion
"You can never give up." So said a single dad whose struggle to support his two sons was chronicled In one of the stories featured during the recent Neediest Cases campaign.
The same refusal to "give up" was clear when Times Free Press featured stories in the paper and on its Web site, which also provided a link to the Partnership's Web site. This broad coverage proved successful in reaching many contributors from the community. Readers demonstrated their belief that "You can never give up" by ramping up their contributions, bringing the total to $48,713, the largest total in nine years.
Inspired by the community's "can-do spirit" and its determination to help those who are struggling, an anonymous donor added $50,000 to that amount, increasing this year's total to a record-shattering $98,713.
This confirms, yet again, the faithful compassion and generosity of Chattanooga's citizens. In order to meet our agency's mission of "empowering people to build better lives," we rely upon a solid partnership with the community.
On behalf of our board, staff and those we serve, I extend my deepest appreciation to each and every one of our partners.
SANDRA HOLLETT,
CEO
Partner for Families,
Children and Adults