McDaniel serving schools well and other letters to the editors

McDaniel servings chools well

Johnny McDaniel, director of Bradley County Schools, was honored as the 2013 Tennessee Superintendent of the Year. He will receive an award from the National School Health Association next month. He also scored an average 4.47 points overall on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being exemplary when his board evaluation him in May.

Mr. McDaniel has been leading the Bradley County Schools since 2008 and has facilitated the building of Park View Elementary (under budget) and the Fine Arts building at Bradley Central. He completed renovations to Valley View Elementary. He implemented the virtual school. He handled the 2010 tornado damage to Michigan Avenue Elementary and the irreparable Blue Springs Elementary as well as handling the difficult budget and legal issues -- all while awarding raises to his staff on more than one occasion.

However, the board voted 4-3 not to extend his contract -- basically saying, "'Mr. Superintendent, don't let the knob hit you in three years."

As a parent of a child in the system, I am saddened to think that as my child heads to middle school in three years, my superintendent will be passing out resumes for no reason but an old grudge and some small town, narrow-minded politics.

MEG METZGER, Cleveland, Tenn.


Bible says avoid God's wrath

God is a God of love and a God of wrath. How do I know? The Bible tells me so. I John 4:16. And we have known and believe the love that God hath to us. God is love: and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

God is a God of wrath: Romans 1:18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.

Homosexuality is an abomination: Leviticus 18:22. Yes, incest, adultery, fornication and bestiality are condemned and abominable practices Leviticus 18: 1-30, and Leviticus 20: 10-16 demands the death penalty for those practices and for the practice of witchcraft Leviticus 20:27.

Paul in Romans 1:18-32, reviews the history of man's fall into depravity. In verse 18-25, he wrote of God the reason for God's wrath and declared "They are without excuse," and "God Gave them over" to uncleanness; in verses 26 and 27 "God gave them up," men and women, to their vile homosexual practices and its consequences. In verses 28-32, "God gave them over" to a reprobate (depraved corrupt) mindset.

DON GUINN, Rossville


Thanks, Mayor, for boat reversal

Dear Mayor: Thank you with all my heart for having the grace to back down when confronted with the overwhelming desire of the ordinary citizenry to keep the Delta Queen moored at Coolidge Park!

If you had given the owner of that disreputable barge downstream an ultimatum to leave, you would have heard an uproar of approval. Granted, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but how could you have picked the majestic historic paddle wheel boat as an eyesore over that ugly, ugly barge of Casey's? The one that someday might have a restaurant on it?

The Delta Queen, an added attraction to our river, is as much a drawing card to tourists as the Aquarium and the sleeping cars at the Choo Choo. This is a real treasure for our city as I hope you are learning. You may not realize it but David Cook may be an even greater treasure for Chattanooga because he is looking out for the best interests of every citizen in this community.

JANE YELLIOTT, Hixson


Russian people still oppressed

After reading the article titled "Putin may seek 4th term", I felt sad for the Russian people.

The population of Russia was oppressed for a long time, and it is ridiculous that even after the fall of communism this country is still being so blatantly oppressed. Putin has done a great job of masquerading Russia as a democratic nation, but the rest of the world is finally beginning to see his abuse of power, and I hope this means that a reelection in 2018 will be impossible. If Putin is reelected, then I do not see any hope of true freedom for the Russian society without a violent revolt by the people. Although there are those who are starting to protest the government, even during the elections last year, I believe it will take an outside force to remove Putin from power. Perhaps if the leaders of other democratic nations were to take a stand and send a strong message to Russia declaring their opposition of the government, then maybe the Russian people will feel like they have a chance of becoming a truly democratic nation.

DASHA KULAKOV

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