No unions, period and other letters to the editors

No unions, period

End union domination of education in Tennessee and return our schools to a Top 10 position instead of being in the bottom 10. Thank you, Sen. Corker, for facing down the threat of union domination of the auto industry in Tennessee. End union domination of the post office and return it to profitability. Union participation has no place in our modern-day workforce.

JOE KING, Signal Mountain


How to help the needy

HBO Documentary Films recently featured a local mother, Katrina Gilbert, concerning the daily battles of a single mother trying to care for her children while working a full-time job. "Paycheck To Paycheck" not only highlights Ms. Gilbert's struggles but also focuses on Chattanooga's local agency, Chambliss Center for Children. It required a great deal of courage for Ms. Gilbert to tell her highly personal story and become the face of so many women in our community who must feed, clothe and house their children on a single income.

Without the help of CCC, Ms. Gilbert's family and many others in our community would collapse, despite their continuous efforts to improve the lives of their children. CCC is the first agency in the state of Tennessee to be open 24/7/365 for working parents. We serve over 650 children (there is a waiting list of over 230), providing educational services and 400,000 meals per year. While support comes from city, state and federal governments, CCC is a private agency and needs the continued and generous support of this community. Chattanooga should feel great pride in the accomplishments of this safety net and that CCC is being featured at the national level.

ANDREA HARDEE, Lookout Mountain, Tenn.


Notes on the Hall Tax

In her commentary about Tennessee's Hall income tax, Robin Smith said a bill in the legislature would reduce the current 6 percent tax rate "for those under 65." She then goes on to say it's a "big deal" because the tax disproportionately harms senior citizens. Pray tell, Robin, how would reducing the rate "for those under age 65" help seniors? Seniors need fear not, however, because according to Robin, "Gov. Bill Haslam has already increased exemptions for our senior citizens to exclude the first $10,000 in income of those over 65 years of age." No, he has not, Robin, or if he has, he neglected to tell the Department of Revenue. It would take an act of the legislature to increase the exemption from the current levels of $1,250 for singles and $2,500 for couples for all ages. Not strategic planning, but not rocket science either.

DONALD STRICKLAND, Signal Mountain

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