Not much equitable in stadium proposal
The question raised in the Chattanooga Times Jan. 15 editorial, "Is equitable development a priority with new Lookouts stadium?" has not been answered, in my view. David Floyd's Feb. 10, 2023, "Not Enough Space" report added further food for thought. Open sources show MLB's total revenue in 2023 was $11 billion, and the collective worth of the 30 franchises is $70 billion. All of the owners are billionaires. Yet MLB has the gall to set standards for minor league stadiums and expects cities to help foot the bill to upgrade or build them?
Lookouts President Rich Mozingo says, "Major League Baseball doesn't send players from the Cincinnati Reds to Chattanooga to entertain us. They send them down here so they can prepare them to be Cincinnati Reds so they can be prepared to play for the major leagues." A $129 million — and growing — new stadium isn't going to produce better players any quicker than AT&T Field. So, who benefits?
There is a critical shortage of affordable housing in the county. The Reds' 2023 payroll was about $82 million, fifth lowest in the league. How much does a cheap billionaire pay his players and staff? Where will they and the backbone of our community — our teachers, firemen, policemen and hourly employees — find affordable housing in the next five to 10 years? It doesn't appear they will live anywhere near the proposed new stadium.
Jack Zollinger
Restore regular order in Congress
For many years the Congress used what they term "Regular Order" for passing legislation. To many of us that means passing appropriation bills individually for specific federal departments. In essence, each one would be processed through the appropriate oversight committee and sent to the House or Senate to be voted on, in regular order. That served to keep the appropriation process fairly clean.
Somewhere along the way, large, multi-agency appropriations bills started being passed. This conglomeration of disparate needs made the whole process very messy and now results in our federal budget being carried over from year to year in what is called "continuing resolutions."
This thing is such a mess it is no wonder our country's federal government is over $33 trillion in debt, and there is no serious effort to right the ship. Someday this house of cards will come crashing down. All of us will pay the price. Americans must do more to hold our political overlords accountable for their gross negligence.
Rusty Lacy
Rossville, Ga.
Substitute teacher pay an embarrassment
The members of the Hamilton County Board of Education should be embarrassed by the results of the contract with an outside company that employs substitute teachers.
I was a teacher in Florida and in Syria. I taught English and history for 28 years. I had to medically retire due to some serious health issues. I do not receive a pension because I retired before I was eligible for one. I moved to Chattanooga and am working as a substitute teacher.
I can honestly say that I am a substitute teacher mostly because of my passion, my drive and for the students.
In my eyes, it is immoral and unethical what a substitute teacher earns. I make less than $80 a day, before taxes. Substitute teachers are expected to teach, follow a lesson plan and manage a classroom.
What a substitute teacher earns is not a living wage. Hamilton County Schools are crying out for substitute teachers. Could it be that one could earn more at a local grocery store than they would as a substitute teacher?
School board members should hang their heads in embarrassment. Substitute teacher pay is clear evidence that they have their priorities out of order.
Mark Grantham
Lookout Valley
Our culture becoming a wrestling spectacle
Serious study of the dynamics of professional wrestling can give insight into the future of American culture. Most of our activities are evolving toward WWE. The script is written, and big business controls the outcome.
Good guys become bad guys, and bad guys become heroes. Distractions abound, more is better, sides are taken, emotions are provoked and the willfully ignorant get fleeced. The grandeur of the presentation obscures the pitiful lack of substance. Bruno Sammartino sold out Madison Square Garden 65 times.
Tom Peck
Why no support for Harrison Bay Park?
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee is proposing $59 million for state park improvements. While I applaud his efforts, I noticed that no mention was made of improvements to Harrison Bay State Park. For those of you who are not familiar with this multi-use facility, it is located on Chickamauga Lake and has campgrounds, a boat ramp, boat storage, an outdoor fitness track and many other amenities. The problem is that the grounds are poorly maintained, tennis courts are dilapidated and the pool has been closed for years as a result of financial neglect.
Gov. Lee, please consider adding Harrison Bay Park to your list of worthy state park investments.
Steve Weinberg
Harrison
Do not trust gods; keep them off seal
Republican state Sen. John Holsclaw has introduced a bill requiring the phrase "In God we Trust" to be added to the state seal. I believe this bill is absurd and unintelligent. Do you really want to trust a god who said he creates evil? (Isaiah 45:7 KJV) Do your really want to trust a god who said "... slay both man and woman, infant and suckling ..." (1 Samuel 15:3 KJV) Perhaps Holsclaw was referring to the 300 million gods of the Hindus, or perhaps to the messenger of the Muslims who rode his magical horse to heaven where he spoke to Moses, Christ and God. Take your pick.
All major religions are based on the mythology of our fear of the unknown and denial of death. Why can't men have meaning in their lives by giving birth to children? There must a conspiracy against men.
I believe we can break the chains caused by religious fear and ignorance by living this life with compassion for others, searching for happiness in this life and constantly striving for the truth as we can best understand it. You have the responsibility to live your life as though you might be a god. This is your only opportunity. There will not be another one. Do not trust the gods.
Erskine Mabee
Sale Creek
Keeping homelessness in front of us
Over the past few months, homelessness has been increasingly in the news, both nationally and locally. Recently, your newspaper published articles by Christopher Calton and Karen Dolan, arguing two different underlying causes for homelessness. And the recent Chattanooga Times editorial about homelessness acknowledged that progress has been made, highlighting efforts by landlords and property owners, while concluding that all of us might participate in being part of the solution by "unlearning harmful stereotypes," etc.
This brings to mind Gordon Davenport's excellent commentary in your paper on Dec. 24, 2023, in which he pointed out specific things we as individuals can do: volunteer with one of the numerous nonprofits or church groups here; change our attitudes both by softening our language when describing the homeless; and by acknowledging them as fellow human beings when encountering them. The latter has made a remarkable difference in my own attitude, and I am grateful to the TFP for your continuing efforts to make this part of our community psyche.
Nina Brock
Lookout Mountain