Saturday, December 7, 2013
This is for the believers in our Lord Jesus Christ: Knoxville; Shreveport, La.; and Chattanooga were first as "Bible-minded" and Christ-centered cities, according to Barna Research, a group that studies the intersection of faith and culture. It was proved when the petition drive was started to fairly put to the people a vote on domestic partner benefits for Chattanooga city employees. Thank you to all who worked so diligently to inform citizens of this important topic. Thank you, my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, who stood up and signed the petition revealing your conviction. Regardless of the outcome next August, I charge you, Church, to the purpose of sound doctrine : "Love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from a sincere faith," 1 Timothy 1:5 .
NORMA WALLACE, Ooltewah
Much has been written lately about Franklin Haney's proposal to finish TVA's Bellefonte Nuclear plant, presently a $6 billion nonpaying stalled investment. As I understand it, TVA would virtually give up ownership of its investment in return for some $10 billion of private money to finish the plant. TVA would operate, maintain and lease back the plant at a rate that would recoup the private investment plus a hefty profit for Mr. Haney, perhaps over a 20-30 year period. Who fills the gap if the venture costs $15 billion? May sound plausible but here's the kicker: Mr. Haney justifies the deal by virtue of a $2.2 billion in federal tax credit available only to private investors, not TVA, for the advancement of nuclear power generation, even though the plant is of a 40-year-old design. I believe that every engineering project should stand on its own, dollar for dollar, regardless of the source of those dollars. If a sacrifice of $2.2 billion by the federal treasury is necessary to justify his proposal, then it seems that Mr. Haney is not getting through all the trees to see the forest.
GLEN MOULTRIE
The people on the City Council who voted for the same sex benefits for city workers will need to find some way to fill their spare time after the next election.
CHARLIE BENSON