'Mayor's personnel decisions unbelievable' and more letters to the editors

Mayor's personnel decisions unbelievable

Really? Has April's Fool's Day come and gone? Chattanooga's mayor announced that he is considering spending $98,500 for Anita Ebersole to head the 311 call center and supervise Liz Henley, who is the current supervisor.

Really? Ms. Henley, by all accounts, has done a fine job in her current role. And, get this: Ms. Ebersole used to work as a call taker under Ms. Henley. All of this follows the mayor's blatantly outrageous attempt to move Ms. Ebersole to the head of the line for city court clerk. He thought Ms. Ebersole, with no city court clerk experience, would be perfect to supervise a woman with four years as interim court clerk. Thankfully, Ms. Ebersole withdrew her name.

Littlefield's last-minute attempts to cement his inner circle with plum pricey government jobs prior to his exit shows us that political skullduggery has no bottom level. He has just appointed his spokesman to the position of assistant director of personnel. What part of "spokesman" qualifies him to do anything in personnel? Had Richard Beeland any sense of pride, he would have recused himself from taking a position since he is devoid of qualifications. Mr. Beeland, have you no shame? The mayor and his lapdogs - city councilmembers - should go.

LYNN ASHTON


Attitude about gun rights is hysteria

In a letter to the editor titled "GOP talks only about guns, NRA" (March 3), reference is made to Republicans and those who voted for them as "stupid" and "idiots." Apparently the diatribe is about an extension of "Medicaid so more people will have insurance ..." and the perceived failure of Republican state legislators to devote more of their time to that legislation.

The author speculates that businesses may not come here because of the law allowing a gun to be secured in an auto, that people might "snap, now they won't have far to go to get their gun." Such hysteria is always heard from people with anti-gun, pro-big-government attitudes.

"Good Christians" aren't left out: "Why do you have to have a gun on your hip?" I answer by reminding that Simon Peter cut off the ear of Malchus with a sword. Jesus stopped Peter from further action because it was the Father's will that He be crucified for man's salvation. The sword was the "gun" of that day, so Peter was armed and ready to defend himself. Peter was a disciple. Was he not a "good Christian" just because he was armed?

DONALD R. CASH, Ooltewah


Shootings highlight need for action

Every shooting is unfortunate, and the shooting of Officer McMillan is certainly no exception. However, I feel these shootings are increasing in their frequency. Almost a few times a week I hear of a shooting. I know many people are working hard on the issue, but more needs to be done. Increasing patrols, recruiting new teams, research and taking new approaches need to be pressed even more. Our community needs to come together to make our town more safe.

SONJA DALE, Signal Mountain


Local voter turnout is disappointment

After a week to reflect on the recent city election, I have to confess that I was very disappointed in the voter turnout. Like many other brave men and women, my father served in three wars so that democracy would be safe. The one service every American owes his country is to vote in all elections. Next time around, I ask you to make an effort to get to know the candidates and to vote. Local elections are particularly critical because local government has the most impact on each citizen.

I would like to express my thanks to the voters who put their faith in me, the people who donated to my campaign and my friends and family for their love and support. I want to thank the Free Press editorial page for honoring me with its editorial support. The campaign was a learning process, and I eventually became comfortable as a public speaker. I particularly enjoyed the hour I spent on WGOW and the interview with the editors of the Chattanooga Times Free Press. I am anxious to see how Mayor elect Berke reorganizes city government and brings efficiency back to city operations.

PRISCILLA SIMMONS


Taxpayers are victims of government theft

Speaker of the House John Boehner recently asked a rhetorical question that unwittingly contained an element of undeniable truth, which he would probably like to take back. Referring to the president and the congressional Democrats' budget plan to raise more taxes, Boehner said, "How much more money do we want to steal from the American people to fund more government? I'm for no more."

Boehner manifestly doesn't object to government stealing from the American people if the amount it steals meets his criteria, but at least now someone in the highest reaches of government has had the temerity to call taxation what it is. And what it is is theft.

Taxation is theft because it precisely fits the legal definition of extortion, and extortion is universally categorized in the law as a form of theft. You may postulate a mythical social contract that exonerates tax collectors from their crime, but you'll search until you're dead and you won't find anyone who has signed the imaginary contract. The parties' signatures are a required element for any contract to be valid. The only reason tax collectors are not imprisoned is the government grants them immunity to conduct their extortion.

NED NETTERVILLE, Lone Oak, Tenn.


Cop killer's free ride is appalling

Jesse Mathews is housed in a penitentiary in Henning, Tenn., for murdering Chattanooga Police Sgt. Tim Chapin during a robbery on Brainerd Road on April 12, 2011.

He will soon be moved to a medium-security institution where he will receive a free education, free meals, free housing, recreation and free TV at a cost to the state of Tennessee of about $35,000 a year.

What is wrong with this picture?

GORDON RATCHFORD

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