Schools need new sources of income and other letters to the editor

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Schools need new sources of income

Why does every year bring new cuts? The school systems are always needing to cut something new.

The building of an adult high school is proposed after talks of being too broke to fund middle school sports. Thanks to the No Child Left Behind program, one would think an adult high school would not have any lasting use, unless there are children making it to adulthood who missed out on education.

Earlier this week there was an article about schools in Maine bringing in an increased number of foreign students to help increase revenue while helping to add cultural flavor to the area.

What is Hamilton County doing to bring in funds? Instead of constantly trimming the system down, maybe it is time to investigate new alternatives of income.

ROBERT ELSEA


Bluff Furnace site a piece of history

Hopefully Chattanooga residents and visitors have had the opportunity to visit the site of Bluff Furnace.

A replica of the furnace was constructed in the early 1990s, but it was destroyed slowly by the weather and vandalism. In January of 2011 an improved replica was revealed. The new display was constructed by students at the University of Tennessee, Mark Making, and Dr. Nicholas Honerkamp, professor of archaeology at UTC.

Why so much effort to preserve this site? Well, it is because it is an important piece of American and local history. The location of the furnace on the river between what is now the Hunter Museum and the Walnut Street Bridge made the location ideal for shipping iron on the river.

In 1864, the furnace, one of a kind in the South, was taken over by Union troops toward the end of the Civil War. The soldiers converted the furnace into a lime kiln. What remains of Bluff Furnace is a reminder of the production of quality materials from the area, and it is a monument from the Civil War era.

MIRANDA SOLOMON


Check out the art at 4Bridges Festival

The Association of Visual Arts will be producing the annual 4Bridges Festival, April 16-17, at the First Tennessee Pavilion.

Last year's festival attracted close to 25,000 attendees and generated $1.5 million in revenue to the community. The attendance fee will be $7 per day or $10 for a two-day ticket and no charge for those under 18.

A Patron Party will be held on Friday night, April 15, for patrons who want to have an early look at the artists' work and enjoy exceptional food and music.

According to the 2011 Art Fair Sourcebook, 4Bridges is ranked as one of the Top 100 Fine Art Fairs in the country. This year's festival received 700 applications from artists nationwide; 146 have been chosen to exhibit this year. Photography, oil, watercolor, wood, fiber, metal and other media will be represented.

4Bridges is a fundraiser to help support AVA's arts education programs throughout the year. Events like 4Bridges help to give Chattanooga a positive image. Let's get out and enjoy it again this year!

For more information call, 265-4282. AVA is a funded member of Allied Arts.

CHARLOTTE LANDIS

Signal Mountain


Bus schedules hard on students

As a former Hamilton County school student and a prospective future teacher of the Hamilton County school system, I would like to express my concerns over the ridiculous schedule we are forcing upon our students.

The schedule for buses in Hamilton County is set up so they run to middle and high schools an hour earlier than elementary schools, so that bus rides can be provided for everyone.

The morning bell rings sometime around 7:15 in most middle and high schools. I understand that the bus problem requires a solution. But in my opinion, the current solution is not best.

An overwhelming amount of studies have shown that adolescents need more sleep than anyone else. But it is unrealistic to expect most teenagers to go to bed at 9 p.m. to get eight hours of sleep. For teens, a 5:30 a.m. alarm is neither enjoyable nor healthy. Besides that, most adolescents cannot think clearly before sunrise, even with an early bedtime.

For students who drive themselves to school, it is hazardous to be driving so early. It has been said that a sleepy driver is comparable to a drunk driver. So why are we forcing our students to follow this schedule?

KRISTIN R0WAN

Soddy-Daisy


Offer incentives on health policies

I have long wondered why health insurance companies - including Medicare - do not use incentives to improve the well-being of the insured and more fairly spread the costs.

It is undeniable that unless we change our habits, not only will severe benefit cuts be required but the demand will also continue to skyrocket.

Auto and life insurance do this with good results, and while it is somewhat difficult to enforce, the benefits greatly outweigh the cost.

Suppose the standard premium for a family policy is $1,000. For no member smoking, it is reduced by 15 percent. For no obesity, another 15 percent. For no drinking, 10 percent, for heterosexual marriage, 10 percent, all clearly proven health factors. Together that is a $500 monthly reward - a 50 percent discount - for healthy choices.

Those who wish to live unhealthily can do so and still have insurance, but they rightly bear the cost that their habits will likely create.

And those who work to maintain good health receive both immediate financial and long-term benefits.

This is both smart and fair and may be the incentive that some need to change their habits for the better without heavy-handed demands.

NATAN SCHWENK

Spring City, Tenn.


Honor Chapin with memorial

It has been said, in various forms, "It is only necessary for good men to do nothing for evil to triumph."

Sgt. Tim Chapin and the officers under his leadership confronted evil and did not let it triumph. This may seem like Tim's final act of service as a police officer, but his service continues. We will continue to learn from his example of selfless courage in the face of mortal danger, his fundamental decency as a human being, his kindness, his clear knowledge of right and wrong, and his willingness to stand up for his beliefs as a police officer and a man.

Pastor Ron Phillips correctly stated that Tim gave his life in the service of his community. Let's also not forget that his entire family gave a husband, a father, a son and a brother. It is a credit to Tim's parents that they raised such a fine man.

I propose that some public works structure be named in Tim's honor such as the Walnut Street Bridge. The "Sgt. Tim Chapin Memorial Bridge" would be a fitting complement to Coolidge Park, named in honor of another courageous man. We have all benefited greatly from their bravery.

KENNETH D. PHILLIPS

Lieutenant-Retired

Chattanooga Police Department