Time to repave Northpoint Boulevard - and more letters to the editors

Time to repave Northpoint Boulevard

Northpoint Boulevard, the road that connects Hixson Pike and Highway 153, is probably the bumpiest, most disgusting, highly traveled, shortest road in the area. This road is possibly bumpier than the original wagon train roads.

It could probably be repaved in one day, but they wait until the holes get deep enough to almost engulf your car before they throw several buckets of asphalt in the holes and consider it fixed. They have been doing this for at least 10 years.

Come on, guys. Just think. If this road were to be repaved, it would make thousands and thousands of registered voters very happy.

If the person in charge of streets doesn't think it needs to be repaved rather than throwing several buckets of asphalt in the holes, then he should drive the road 50 to 100 times. That way the city would have to buy him a new car because his old one would be shaken to pieces by then.

Come on, fellows. Let's do it the right way the next time and repave.

LARRY HARPER, Soddy-Daisy


Visitor Center an embarrassment

Chattanooga officials should be ashamed for what they've done to the city's Visitor Information Center.

A few years ago, it was a beautiful facility our city could be proud of. Then it was banished to temporary quarters near the Choo Choo. Now it's been reduced to a mere three brochure racks and one apologetic staffer tucked inside the dimly lit shuttle bus terminal.

To say that it's a shadow of its former self is an exaggeration; it's more like a pimple on Chattanooga's otherwise pretty face.

Frankly, it's an embarrassment that should be promptly corrected.

DENNIS MURPHY, Chattanooga


Medicaid expansion needed for poorest

TFP staff reporter Ben Benton's article calling attention to the problem of rural health care on Page 1 of the Sept. 14 edition emphasizes the difficulty and persistence of rural health care shortages.

The article points to lack of health care providers, transportation issues and financial challenges. The Affordable Care Act attempts to provide affordable health insurance to those of us who cannot otherwise afford it.

Having worked in Grundy County to help people to sign up for ACA, I witnessed many people unable to afford the insurance program because they earned less than the federal poverty level. These were people who would have been eligible for TennCare had Gov. Bill Haslam accepted federal funds to extend TennCare. These are among the poorest people, and it was frustrating not being able to help them.

Almost a year has passed since the Oct. 1, 2013, deadline for Tennessee to be in compliance with Medicaid guidelines. Our governor's administration still ignores them, leaving more than 180,000 Tennesseans without health insurance and Tennessee's health care economy at risk as well.

THOMAS F. PHELPS, M.D.


Victim of abortion? What about the child?

Opponents of Amendment 1 argue it will further traumatize victims impregnated by rape or incest. Ignored is the trauma of abortion itself, increased risks of uterine bleeding, breast cancer, substance abuse, suicidal behavior and even death.

Let's not forget the lack of Amendment 1-type laws resulted in Kermit Gosnell's "house of horrors."

The victimization of one person never justifies the victimization of another, especially the innocent child.

As for concerns about maternal health, pro-choice Dr. Alan Guttmacher admitted, "Today it is possible for almost any patient to be brought through pregnancy alive, unless she suffers from a fatal illness such as cancer or leukemia, and, if so, abortion would be unlikely to prolong, much less save, life." And that was in 1967!

But think, if a mother is willing to assume some, if not significant, personal risk for the welfare of her born child, she has no basis to deny her unborn child the same consideration, given the only difference is her child's stage of development, as a newborn differs from a toddler, a toddler from a teen, and a teen from an adult.

REGIS NICOLL

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