Deer kills must be done yearly
The people who complain about the deer kill this year don't really know that due to weather conditions, when there isn't enough food in the woods for them, deer die of starvation anyway.
They have deer kills in Pennsylvania also.
This past August, on Highway 58, a deer jumped out of the woods and hit the passenger side of my car with such force that it cracked my windshield.
The insurance damage was $4,700.
I was lucky that no one was hurt. The kill has to be done once a year.
DAVID NEWHARD
Ooltewah
Work together on school dispute
I have been in the Hill City fight for entry into Normal Park since Chattanooga Middle closed. There have been a lot of hurt feelings and broken promises. If the school board is under political pressure not to fulfill its 2007 promise to vote us back into the zone, then Normal Park should be made completely a magnet school with a transparent lottery. Center for Creative Arts should not be brought into a fight just based on proximity. Each student who attends CCA auditions and earns their spots there. Their building suits their program.
Hill City children are bright, creative and have parents who will support their children and school just like the current parents of NPMMS. We all want the best for our kids, so let's come to a fair conclusion collaboratively.
MITTA CHESTNUTT
Help save animals by adopting them
The purpose of this letter is to encourage legislation to control the overpopulation of helpless animals and to persuade citizens to adopt helpless dogs and cats from animal shelters.
Too many animals are allowed to breed, producing a heavy burden on animal shelters throughout the U.S. thus causing innocent animals to suffer.
Legislation has been passed in Alabama, going into effect on Dec. 31, to stop the use of gas chambers to euthanize discarded animals. What about the thousands that will be put down between today's date and Dec. 31?
Dogs are wonderful companions and deserve the same level of love and appreciation that dogs show to humans. If people would only open their hearts to a loving dog, they would realize what a dog has to offer their lives. A dog is such a loving animal, truly, "Man's, and woman's best friend." But many of these loving animals are discarded as nothing.
Some people may be wondering how they can make this world a better place.
Getting on board and helping save helpless dogs, and cats, is a good place to start.
TRECIA WATSON
Cleveland, Tenn.
Allow Hill City kids in Normal Park
Normal Park is an excellent community school that offers an extraordinary educational opportunity to the children fortunate enough to attend.
It is no surprise that parents from all over Hamilton County do what they can to enroll their children into this wonderful school.
Hamilton County residents are afforded this opportunity because Normal Park is a magnet school and was created with the purpose of providing not only an excellent educational environment but also a diverse student body.
Current data from the Hamilton County Department of Education reveals that Normal Park is less diverse than the Hamilton County student body. The Hamilton County student body is 61 percent economically disadvantaged, as measured by free and reduced lunch status, but only 33 percent of Normal Park students are economically disadvantaged.
Recent data has found that of the number of school-age children living in the Hill City neighborhood, 95 percent are economically disadvantaged.
Times are tough, and a working-class neighborhood like Hill City deserves to send their children to a quality community school.
Normal Park is a school in the heart of the Hill City community, so why is the Hill City community not in the Normal Park school?
CHRIS BROOKS
Executive Director,
Chattanooga
Organized for Action
Smallest particles can pose a threat
Triple-digit temperatures, blistering heat and burning sunlight has been the recurring theme over Southeast Tennessee the past few summers, and as cancerous rays from the sun penetrate our skin, the real danger may actually be lurking in the sunscreen used to beat the heat. Nanotechnologies are a fast-growing branch of technological advancements, which are beginning to surface in everyday products such as sunscreen, promoting nearly endless possibilities but also posing unknown possible threats.
These new technologies deal with particles and systems as small as a nanometer. Imagine slicing the thickness of the paper in your hand into 100,000 individual slices; one section is about the thickness of a nanometer. Studies revealed masses on lab rats after having been exposed to certain particles, and researchers at Intel Corporation wear highly protective equipment when dealing with these "harmless" particles.
Although sunscreen today is still composed of harmless zinc oxide, these particles at the nanoscale may pose a serious long-term effect because the particles have the ability to penetrate the human body like never before. Until the potential dangers have been identified, limiting exposure to sun rays is our best chance to avoid the dangers of the summer heat.
SETH GOUDZWARD
Cleveland, Tenn.
League honors bravest of brave
The streets of most of the major cities are being cluttered and littered by thousands of unwashed so-called Wall Street protesters lacking logical missions or sensibilities.
Instead, how refreshing to have our wonderful Chattanooga visited by Wounded Warriors and heroes selected by the Navy League for honors and attention. The people, whose mission is the protection of the future of our country -- its safety, prosperity and its people, willing to lay down their lives in these most perilous times. Hopefully, graphically bringing to our attention that the world is too dangerous to lower our guard and cut military appropriations and appreciation.
The local attention to the bravest of the brave was part of the support to more than 400 Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine worldwide units. The Navy League, a civilian organization, supported by civilians, last year presented more than 1,900 awards, while giving over $1.5 million to support members of the Sea Services and their families.
Additionally over $500,000 supported America's young people through Naval Sea Cadets and Junior Reserve Officer Training.
These activities are designed to help assure this great country will not be lost by default.
JOHN J. SPITTLER
Signal Mountain
Make all answer in a Cain probe
My jaw has dropped at the hypocrisy shown in the media regarding Herman Cain and his sexual harassment troubles in the 1990s.
This needs to be an open investigation with all principals having to answer all relevant questions.
Remember, the government has repealed "Don't ask, don't tell." I take that to mean that applies to gay and straight alike.
Who brought this to Politico's attention? Name the source, name names, "face the nation."
Was this just a means to "money for nothing," which is so popular now?
Observations show that, gay or straight, they will hunt with any "ole dog." Who is going to cast the first stone?
I am white, independent voter, senior citizen.
GAIL BLAYLOCK
HUDSON