'You can take part in cancer study' and more letters to the editors

You can take part in cancer study

What if we could personally participate in research that might help determine factors that cause or prevent cancer?

What if our involvement, and that research, ultimately leads to the elimination of cancer as a major health problem for this and future generations?

What if we could make it so just one family never has to hear the words "you have cancer"?

Residents of our community have an unprecedented opportunity to participate in cancer research this year. Enrollment for the American Cancer Society's third Cancer Prevention Study will take place Aug. 21-25 in Chattanooga at several locations across the community. To enroll, visit cps3chattanooga.org.

Individuals between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer and are willing to make a long-term commitment to the study are encouraged to sign up. Those who choose to enroll will simply fill out a comprehensive survey packet about health history, provide a small blood sample (to be collected by trained phlebotomists) and provide a waist measure. Participants will periodically be sent a follow-up questionnaire for the next 20 to 30 years.

If you aren't eligible to participate, you can still make a difference by telling everyone you know about Cancer Prevention Study-3.

For more information, visit cancer.org/cps3 or call toll-free 888-604-5888.

LAURA WITHERSPOON, M.D.


Opinion response leaves out facts

On Friday, July 20, Josh Sugarmann with the Violence Policy Center in Washington wrote that an editorial in the Free Press presents a misrepresentation of his center's data. He states that within the last five years, concealed carry permit holders have killed at least 13 law enforcement officers and committed at least 21 mass shootings. As a result, concealed carry holders present a serious safety concern to the general public.

What he didn't include is the fact that there are several million concealed carry permit holders in the United States, so this would be a very small percentage. He also didn't mention how many times a CCW holder has prevented a violent crime or has defended him or herself. This just goes to prove the old saying "Figures don't lie but liars figure."

JIM SISK

Red Bank


Welch has vision to serve schools

Jonathan Welch is running for Hamilton school board, District 2.

I have known Jonathan for many years. I along with all who know him hold him in high esteem for his honesty and integrity. He is intuitive and seeks for the good of an organization with which he is involved.

He has been in numerous leadership positions and has done so as a team player. His skills include planning, developing, organizing and executing short- and long-term goals.

He cares about others and shows that by his actions. He has traveled to Honduras for many years to provide dental care.

Jonathan is an involved, caring father. His children are in a Hamilton County school. He has volunteered there as well as other schools.

Jonathan is imminently qualified to serve on the Hamilton County school board. He has the experience and vision of how the school board can serve Hamilton County schools. He wants to see all schools performing at the level of the top schools. He wants all students to have the advantages that those top schools provide.

In the Aug. 2 election, vote for Jonathan Welch for Hamilton County school board, District 2.

LUCY BOWICK

Signal Mountain


Norton will carry on his good service

Many nice things have been written about Judge David Norton. David also has served many years on the board of directors at Hixson Utility District. He played a big part in making the utility district what it is today. Thank David for very good water at a reasonable rate.

David will do the same excellent job as Sessions judge as he did as board member of Hixson Utility and city judge of Soddy-Daisy.

We urge you to vote Judge David Norton, Sessions judge.

MACK AND BERTHA TIPPS

Soddy-Daisy


Lasley is right person for job

I encourage my neighbors to vote for Marty Lasley for Soddy-Daisy judge. I have known Marty for over 40 years. As a retired human resources manager, I know how important it is to find the right person for a job, and I believe Marty Lasley is the right person.

Marty is well-known in Soddy-Daisy as a man of deep convictions, high integrity and an extraordinary wit. His educational qualifications as a Vanderbilt lawyer and his professional background of over 25 years of practicing law speak for themselves. Marty's 28-year marriage to Kelly and the strength of character of their sons Noah and Jonah are testaments to Marty's personal strengths. It is a man with this kind of stability and depth of Soddy-Daisy roots that we need for our Soddy-Daisy judge.

I know Marty wants to be Soddy-Daisy judge because he believes that it's his opportunity to give back to his lifelong hometown - the hometown where he went to school, played football and developed his sense of what it means to be from Soddy-Daisy. Marty continues to call Soddy-Daisy home as he now raises his family here, teaches Sunday School here, and continues to want to make Soddy-Daisy a better place. We should give Marty that opportunity.

SUE HARPER

Soddy-Daisy


Wilson is the most qualified candidate

I'm a student at UTC and have had the privilege of having Dr. Richard Wilson, not only as a teacher, but also as an academic adviser at the university. I believe he is the most qualified candidate in the race for Hamilton County mayor. He has worked at the university for 41 years, was head of the Election Commission for eight years and has worked as a contractor.

Like the rest of the country, Hamilton County has a spending problem that needs to be addressed. Dr. Wilson's plan to cut duplicated services will save hard-working taxpayers money and prevent future tax increases.

Dr. Wilson stated in an earlier debate that he would refuse to accept a pay raise if offered, and then told the story of how he actually lived by example and refused a pay raise when he worked for the Election Commission. Dr. Wilson is honest and practices what he preaches. Having the county's best interests at heart, and with his fiscally conservative attitude, he would represent us well. We need to elect somebody who will look out for our future, someone like Dr. Richard Wilson.

DUSTIN TUBBS


Mayfield offers innovative ideas

Scottie Mayfield used his leadership and ability to think out of the box to grow Mayfield Dairy. He was a driving force in the company when Mayfield went to Atlanta with ice cream in 1977 and within three years the brand became one of the top three sellers in that market. His insight and marketing of the yellow jug set a precedent for the dairy industry's effort to preserve flavor and nutritional content of milk. It was his ideas to add probiotics to their milk in 1987, the mini ice-cream sandwich in 1988, and the chug in 1995 (he handmade the first prototype), which increased pint sales by more than 40 percent. He has had a tremendous impact on the dairy industry!

Outside of the dairy industry, he served on the board of directors of Community Coffee Co., Baton Rouge, La., BB&T Bank & Trust, Athens, Tenn.

As far as comments made regarding his lack of knowledge, please go to Mayfield's campaign website and read. We need Mayfield to take his innovative thinking and leadership to Washington.

CLARICE BAGGETT

Athens, Tenn.


Smith will be a great leader

I would like to endorse Sandy Smith's candidacy for the state House District 30. Sandy's dedication and professionalism have been an inspiration to me. Her ability to lead has shown in education. Therefore, I feel every bit as confident that she will be a great leader in the political arena. I would like to encourage you to vote for Sandy Smith.

ANN GREEVER

Soddy-Daisy


Tax-funded facility provided obstacles

Voter suppression?

Tuesday morning, July 3, I went to renew my driver's license in Red Bank hoping to avoid waiting. There were few people inside. I stated to the gentleman attendant that I was surprised there was no sign at the street. The attendant stated, "Well, you found us didn't you?"

Then I saw a sign stating, "Our system is down." I asked about their system and was told I could go downtown. I wondered how the system at the courthouse was up and this one down. I left the building but returned for the phone number. The attendant wasn't busy but refused to provide the number. I was told they could take my number and phone me when the system was up.

Awaiting a call seemed an inconvenience, so I exited. As I passed the gentleman attendant I referred to the absence of a sign at the street. Again he stated, "Well, you found us didn't you?"

In short, I realized I had first-handedly experienced the GOP battle to suppress the vote. The attendants exhibited no courtesy whatsoever. I felt nothing but obstacles at that tax-funded facility.

Linda J. Stovall


Horn knows how to better education

Donna Horn is the right person for the Hamilton County school board member in District 7.

Mrs. Horn is a self-starter and will always do what is best for our students in Hamilton County. Donna wrote many grants that benefited all the students within her school. In addition, she was always willing to work with difficult students and always went out of her way to serve the school community.

Mrs. Horn has abundant classroom experience and knows what our system needs to improve the quality of public education. She has vast teaching experience from exceptional education to the regular classroom. Donna unselfishly worked long hours in and out of the classroom. It is my belief that she will continue to do so as our new board member.

Please vote for Donna Horn on Aug. 2.

RALPH FERNANDEZ


Acuff can makea difference

As a resident of Soddy-Daisy and a Soddy-Daisy business owner, I offer my wholehearted support for Mike Acuff, the candidate for Soddy-Daisy judge.

I have known Mike for six years, as a member of the church, as a dedicated Army JAG officer (attorney) serving in Washington, D.C., and at armed services bases globally, as a father attending his children's sporting and academic events at Soddy-Daisy High School, and at various non-profit volunteer work events.

Mike Acuff holds strong family values, a true sense of compassion, knowledge and love of the law and a perspective of the community and justice that mirrors that of most of the residents of Soddy-Daisy.

Mike Acuff has the legal knowledge and experience, compassion and common-sense approaches to not only provide exemplary service, but also make a difference in the future of our Soddy-Daisy community. I cannot stress enough my confidence in Mike Acuff.

ED WADE

Soddy-Daisy


Cobb a proven conservative

Conservative voters in Tennessee's 31st District should be turning out in record numbers for the primary this year in order to return a true conservative, Jim Cobb, to the Tennessee House. Rep. Cobb is facing an unusual primary in that his opponent has only donned the Republican mantle quite recently. Whether Rep. Cobb's opponent has truly embraced conservative values or whether he has his own motives, I would suggest that those who adhere to conservative ideals would do well to continue to support Jim Cobb, as he is a proven and stalwart conservative voice in our state."

BETH BURKE

Hixson


Heiskell supports many causes

I support Commissioner Bebe Heiskell! I am a former resident of Walker County, but I am very much aware of what Commissioner Heiskell has done for the residents of Walker County. I attend the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in La Fayette, and Bebe is very supportive of our various activities and ministries.

As a member of the Historical Marsh House Task Force in LaFayette, I know first-hand how involved Commissioner Heiskell is with the many programs that we have at the Marsh House. The Marsh House is a most vibrant, beautiful and valuable home in LaFayette that was saved from demolition by Walker County and Commissioner Heiskell. For that Walker County citizens should be most grateful. Too many old historical homes and buildings in my beloved county met with unfriendly hands and were destroyed. The Marsh House was saved by so many caring people, and Commissioner Heiskell was one of them. I am most grateful for her foresight and wisdom.

ROBERT A. MARSH SR.

Dalton, Ga.


Wamp will bring a new perspective

In Washington today, instead of working to fix the situation, politicians spend their time blaming each other for the mess they helped create. In the 3rd Congressional District, the atmosphere is the same. Both Scottie Mayfield and Chuck Fleischsmann would rather blame President Obama for the country's problems than offer solutions as to how they'll help fix them. That's why this election I'm supporting Weston Wamp.

This wouldn't be the first time in history young people had to step up to the plate and serve their fellow man. King David was 30 years old when he assumed the throne of Solomon. Today, men and women - many are just 18 - are asked every day to pick up a gun and stand on the front lines. Yet we scoff at a mature, intelligent, driven 25-year-old for being accountable and willing to serve in a way that most men and women of age refuse to do.

I hope the voters of this district see through the facade of brands and get serious about electing someone who can bring a new perspective to a failing government. We all agree change must come in Washington, but that will only happen if we stop electing the same type of people.

LISA THOMPSON

Athens, Tenn.


Starnes draws public trust

I wish to share why Gary Starnes is the people's choice for Sessions Court judge in Hamilton County. Gary Starnes has extraordinary work ethic, coupled with 26 years of professional legal experience, and is well known to the community for his work as a special judge in both City of Chattanooga and Sessions courts.

Gary Starnes is well known for his work in Children's Advocacy effort. Beyond that, I genuinely respect Gary Starnes because he is so accessible to regular people, like me. Yes, the little people. The large number of diverse volunteers giving endless hours speaks volumes to me.

The judicial appointments by our county commissioners are tiresome. A judicial office is for the people, by the people, not a legacy for a small group to hand off to their A list as a favor. The people now have the opportunity to decide for a change.

It all comes down to what you see is what you get with Gary Starnes, and all of this equates to public trust. Please vote for Gary Starnes for Sessions Court judge.

APRIL EIDSON


DeGaetano exhibits strong character

Lifelong local resident Joe DeGaetano is running for Sessions Court judge, and I have first-hand knowledge of his character. Joe has been a lawyer for 12 years, and his ready knowledge of the law is his second most appealing attribute. Even more impassive is his character. I know of at least three separate occasions where Joe freely helped people in need of legal guidance and expected nothing in return. An unselfish willingness to help, a commitment to his home town, an advanced knowledge of the law and a strong character are the traits I would like fellow voters to know about Joe DeGaetano.

SHARI HOWARD

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