Local Komen funds stay in the area
The Chattanooga Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is proud of our accomplishments and believes politics has absolutely no place in the fight to end breast cancer.
Through our affiliate's 12-year history with Komen, we have raised and distributed nearly $3.6 million to non-profit organizations, health care providers, hospitals, educational institutions and governmental agencies who manage breast health programs in our Southeast Tennessee-North Georgia 16-county service area. We also have contributed over $790,000 to groundbreaking breast cancer research.
Since 1982, all major advancements surrounding breast cancer have been touched by funding from Susan G. Komen. Komen-funded research programs and treatment initiatives have helped to transform most breast cancers from death sentences to treatable chronic illnesses.
Our sponsors, donors, runners, walkers and volunteers need to know that the money raised locally does not support salaries or administrative costs at Komen National. As it has always been, 75 percent of the monies we net through our local fundraising are devoted to breast cancer screenings, education and treatment in our 16-county coverage area with 25 percent going toward research.
We are asking our community for your continued support. Together, let's remain focused on our mission -- a world without breast cancer.
SARAH BOWEN
President
Board of Directors
Chattanooga Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
How do people get unearned refunds?
I have noticed for some time people who don't work, those on state or federal assistance, getting hundreds if not thousands of dollars back on income tax.
How can you get money back for something you have not worked for? Women primarily, with two, three, four or more children getting free money. Children and adults walking around in $100 tennis shoes, getting hundreds of dollars in food stamps, while my 84-year-old mother and other seniors lose the amount of their stamps because of a $30 to $40 increase in their SSI.
Can someone from the state or federal government please explain this to me.
And for the record this is not President Obama's doing, since everything seems to be blamed on him.
It's a problem that our state and federal officials need to look into.
Something is wrong with this picture. Can someone help me understand?
JOEL TERRELL
Appoint Welch to Red Bank panel
Red Bank, like other cities, has experienced economic decline.
Numerous empty buildings that could be housing businesses that provide employment and generate city taxes are vacant.
New strategies to attract quality businesses and people must be implemented or the economic future of the city will remain bleak.
I was pleased to learn that my friend Ken Welch is seeking the appointment to the commission seat vacated by Greg Jones.
Ken is a lifelong resident of Red Bank, a U.S. Navy veteran with a diversity of work experience and has been an RN at Erlanger for 27 years.
Ken was instrumental in keeping the Red Bank pool open in 2005 when the city was considering closing the facility.
Ken's vision to revitalize the city in synergy with the growth of the Northshore offers promise of keeping Red Bank a desirable community for families and growth and development of business.
I urge citizens to call Mayor Millard and ask that Ken Welch be appointed to the vacancy.
RONALD E. LAVENDER
Greatest love story in the greatest book
It all started with a love story when the LORD God formed man from the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and then said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him."
From the rib which he took from Adam the Lord God made a woman. Adam called the woman Eve and from the love of Adam and Eve our earth began to be populated.
Even though Adam and Eve rebelled against God and lost the dominion that had been given to man, God's plan for this earth was still in place. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Many love stories have been written but the greatest love story of all is found in the greatest book ever written.
RACHEL DECOSIMO
Signal Mountain
We all pay into Social Security
Congress calls Social Security and Medicare an "entitlement" even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives.
An entitlement? I paid cash for my Social Security insurance and so did my employer. Just because Congress "borrowed" the money from the fund (which was promised never to happen) and never paid it back, doesn't make my benefits some kind of charity or handout.
Now when it's time to collect, the government is running out of money. We're broke and can't help our seniors, veterans, orphans, and those less fortunate.
Strangely, there is no shortage of cash when it comes to pumping billions of dollars into foreign countries or money for congressional benefits, like free health care, outrageous retirement packages, more paid holidays then everyone else, unlimited paid sick days, and paid vacations just to mention a few of the "bennies" off the top of my head.
And Congress has the audacity to call our Social Security an entitlement?
RICHARD A. SHANKEN
Rocky Face, Ga.