Letters to the Editor

Gravitt can put East Ridge on track

In the past few years the city's deficit has continued to grow.

The current administration has spent money the city cannot afford to spend; a failed attempt at locating a water park in East Ridge, purchase of the East Ridge pool, a failed biodiesel program, the firing of City Manager William Whitson and payment of a large severance, the hiring of the mayor's SETPAC friends to perform contract work in the city at the cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars, the elimination of jobs and then payment of severance packages that were not budgeted. Hard-earned tax dollars continue to go out the door that must all be stopped.

Marc Gravitt is the person who can get the city of East Ridge back on track. With his business skills, Marc's ability to look at all sides of an issue and ask the tough questions, the city of East Ridge can once again become a prosperous city instead of a city with a budget that continues to spiral out of control.

We love our city. We need skillful leaders in place. Vote Marc Gravitt for East Ridge City Council.

JACKIE FULKS

East Ridge

Be grateful for Crutchfield

To the naysayers who are attacking Missy Crutchfield, you obviously have never seen her work! She is a grand steward for our city. Her workday never ends as she is omnipresent most evenings and weekends attending board meetings, neighborhood meetings and any social events promoting our city.

We all know this is nothing but politics, and it disappoints me because it's getting personal. Stop acting as if we are living inside the "D.C. Beltway" and be grateful for Missy's creative and unwavering devotion to Chattanooga.

If you are a state, city, county, public or private office worker who has never used office time for a personal call, e-mail, etc., then grab a stone and start throwing it - but better duck!

Concerning the online magazine you are all railing against, she was promoting Chattanooga and never made a dime. Get over it.

BIDDY MOORE

Endorsement not good for area

Every major newspaper in the state; the Tennessean, the Commercial Appeal, the Knoxville News-Sentinel and the Free Press editorial page have endorsed Bill Haslam for governor, except one. But the good old reliable Chattanooga Times, showing its legacy from the New York Times, has endorsed Mike McWherter. Why? Well, because he's a Democrat.

The Times will even jeopardize the economy of the local area to endorse a Democrat. Who do you think will have southeast Tennessee's economic interests more of a priority, someone who lived in Knoxville or someone who lived in West Tennessee? Who do you think is more likely to support UTC, someone from Knoxville or someone from Jackson, about 100 miles from UT-Martin?

But no, the Times would rather support a Democrat than the candidate who is the best candidate for our economic well-being. Looks to me like they are still a branch of the New York Times.

DOUGLAS JONES

North Chattanooga

Oil prices quick to rise, slow to fall

Each spring, the oil companies raise the price for the "summer blend," but I never see a reduction in the fall.

Also in the past week, one station in my area raised its prices three times.

I know they did not receive three deliveries.

ROGER THOMPSON

Coffee County

Problems in school begin at home

Student behavior violations drop; problem persists.

People look at the schools for disciplinary problems at school. We need to look at the home and church.

School starts at home. We don't know what these children are going through at home. Some parents are never at home; some are working two jobs.

Parents don't have time to help their children with their lessons.

When children get home, their parents aren't there.

In the '40s and '50s, parents had time for their children. When children get out of school they hit the streets.

Teaching starts at home. It takes both home, then school.

Parents are afraid to whip their children; now the children are whipping them.

Some are using drugs, having babies, running away from home, beating their parents. By whipping a child you are teaching them right from wrong, showing how much you love them.

It's not the school, it's at home. They've got to put the blame somewhere.

Children are up all night texting on cell phones, sleeping in school. The children are so tired. They're cursing the teachers. They go home and tell the parents a bunch of lies. Here comes the parents wanting to fight the teachers.

People, look at the homes. It is not the schools.

CHRISTINE DOBBINS

Salary publication not about rights

Why do we have a right to know what Erlanger employees make? Is it because they get $3 million to offset $80 million in free care? It seems Erlanger deserves $77 million in goodwill from somebody.

The truth is, most hospitals and doctors get a majority of revenue from government through Medicare and other sources. Do I have a right to know what a Memorial nurse or a surgeon at Parkridge earns?

What about those who went to college on government grants? Do I have a right to their W-2s? What about companies with a government contract? What about those at Volkswagen who are the beneficiaries of millions in government subsidy and tax breaks?

If we apply your paper's thinking broadly, most salaries would be public, including all at the Times Free Press, which enjoys a convenient exemption from sales taxes and collects substantial revenue from mandatory public notices.

In truth, publishing 20,000 names and incomes has little to due with our rights. Your primary motive is boosting traffic to your website and selling more ads. In a way, all those public workers are helping you do that, which is another nice subsidy on your ledger.

BILL STILES

Why not endorse Oak Ridge's DeVol?

Are you kidding me? I read your editorial this past Saturday "Fleischmann for Congress." You obviously don't believe Chuck is the best man for the job as 75 percent of your article was about how impressed you were with Mark DeVol. Yes, I can read between the lines, and my interpretation is that you would like to endorse Mark DeVol. The only reason you don't; Mark DeVol is from Oak Ridge and not Chattanooga.

Mark DeVol is a Republican, running as an independent only after meeting with the Tennessee Republican Party and telling them that "term limits" was part of his campaign platform; they basically laughed at him.

Everyone I talk with wants Congress to approve term limits for themselves, and Fleischmann does not endorse term limits.

As I see it, Mark DeVol is the only true Republican running for Congress.

Come on, Mr. Editor. Be honest. Wouldn't you rather endorse Mark DeVol for Congress in the 3rd District?

PAUL BARNETT

Pastor's death a sad commentary

The murder of the Rev. David Strong is a sad and shocking event for our entire community. He was a good and faithful man - and a good and faithful pastor to this congregation.

He and members of his congregation have worshiped with the congregation of Christ Church and we have worshiped with them, so I speak from personal experience. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Murder - any murder - is shocking, but this one is particularly so. This good man was tortured and killed for refusing to reveal the PIN number for his debit card to those who were attempting to rob him. What a sad commentary on life in today's world!

I join with all who mourn Pastor Strong and I invite all residents of Chattanooga to work for justice and peace in our community and our world.

THE REV. JOCELYN BELL

Rector,

Christ Church-Episcopal

Use OCD Week to study disorder

In an average elementary school, there are likely five children suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

In a medium to large high school, there are typically 20 students battling OCD. And in a workplace of 500, there would be about five employees who have OCD, most likely hiding their symptoms from their colleagues.

OCD is in our community, and residents should not feel ashamed or embarrassed.

In most cases, OCD is a treatable disorder. However, studies show that people suffer unnecessarily for years because of lack of information and a shortage of therapists trained to properly diagnose and treat OCD.

This is an opportunity for your readers to educate themselves about OCD and its treatment during the International OCD Foundation's OCD Awareness Week, Oct. 11-17.

The IOCDF helps people find treatment that will curtail suffering and allow them to lead more productive lives. It also funds research and provides support for OCD sufferers and the families and caregivers of OCD patients. A variety of IOCDF resources can be found online at www.ocfoundation.org.

TERRY CRUMLEY

Centre, Ala.

Helping Americans should come first

I have a friend who has been sick for the last four years. Due to MRSA infection that he received from the hospital and a blocked kidney, the doctors have not been much help as far as treating him. Because of the MRSA, a lot of doctors do not want to treat him.

He has insurance on his wife and his Social Security, but he cannot afford a premium for any other kind of insurance. Each time he goes to the hospital or doctor, he has to pay a co-pay which he cannot afford. He still owes back co-pays that he is trying to pay off.

He is still paying on a new heating and air unit and still owes hospital and ambulance bills he cannot pay.

If he cannot receive this treatment and pay these bills and these co-pays, then he is in danger of death.

I don't understand that we have needs here in America when America sends millions of dollars to other countries for aid. I feel we need to help our own country and the people first before sending all of our money overseas to aid other countries. Don't our people come first?

MARY ANN HAMPTON

Upcoming Events