Kim White thanks Chattanooga voters
Chattanooga, I thank you for the tremendous support and encouragement you've shown me since announcing my candidacy last September. This opportunity to meet and engage with people across our community - people who love our city and want to be part of making it better - has been such an important contribution to my life.
My campaign spent thousands of hours talking to neighbors, participated in endless calls, knocked on doors and talked to voters about issues they care about like jobs, opportunities for their families, safe neighborhoods, great streets and a Chattanooga that truly belongs to everyone.
While I wish the outcome had been different, Chattanooga voters did the hard work. You researched the issues, asked the hard questions and took time to make your voices heard. Now, I ask you to join me in offering your support to Mayor Tim Kelly. He will need all of us to pitch in to make a better Chattanooga for all.
Despite this conclusion to my campaign, I share in the collective optimism for the future of our wonderful city. Thank you again for your support.
Kim White
Don't opt out of learning
It saddens me, but certainly doesn't surprise me, that the men and women in Nashville who supposedly represent us, are targeting a marginalized group of people with this bill, one that targets the LGBTQ population.
I am a member of the LGBTQ population and a retired educator. Part of a well-rounded education is being exposed to things that are not within our community and to things that make us feel uncomfortable at times.
When I think about the fact that parents/guardians and students can opt out of a lesson that talks about the LGBTQ population, I worry.
I am a Quaker, one that believes that the act of war is wrong and should be avoided at all costs. Does it mean that I can avoid educating my child about wars? NO! The education of wars and their effects, consequences and other factors can be used as a lesson.
The bill that specifically targets the LGBTQ population is one that allows discrimination. It openly allows hatred and division to be accepted.
I understand that my letter won't stop Gov. Bill Lee from signing the bill, bringing it to fruition, making it legal. I do hope people open their eyes, ears and minds, allowing growth, and development to occur.
Mark Grantham
Lookout Valley
Bill should protect police, too
In the coming months, the U.S. House and Senate will be moving forward with debate regarding HR 7120, a bill that addresses a wide range of issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement misconduct. It includes measures to increase accountability for law enforcement's lousy behavior.
Embedded in the bill, there exists proposed transparency of data collection and provisions to eliminate discriminatory policing practice - all laudable much-needed changes.
However, to make things less contentious for our police, we should also insist on including substantial penalties, for any individual who disobeys police commands and for any individual who resists arrest by a police officer.
While HR 7120 seeks to establish a framework to prohibit racial profiling, we should require that the bill provide a level of protection for police from those who become confrontational while being questioned or arrested.
Systemic racial challenges exist, and we must support addressing the issues through legislation. Nevertheless, as legislative measures are directed to reduce police profiling, use of excessive force and bias, when good officers whom we depend on to promote public safety and keep order are challenged with confrontation by individuals who choose to break the law, we have an equal obligation to shield them.
Johnny Jones
Hixson