Red Bank cameras prevent accidents

Just about everybody is picking on Red Bank because of their red-light cameras.

They are trying to say that they are running business out of Red Bank. But what has hurt Red Bank is not the cameras but Corridor J.

Now, instead of going though Red Bank to go north, people take Corridor J.

If you are a red-light runner, you are against the red-light cameras.

If you stop when you are supposed to, you do not have to worry about those cameras.

What if you are flying and run a right light and T-bone a school bus and kill some children? Cameras have stopped a lot of wrecks in Red Bank. When they have a wreck there, it ties up several police officers who could be patrolling the neighborhoods.

When Volkswagen starts up, Red Bank will start up, and they will grow like the grass in my yard after a big rain.

Red Bank has a good police department and fire department. They have decided that those cameras are going to save the city money or cut down on the wrecks, then the people of Red Bank need to back them.

H. BUDDY ROGERS

Red Bank

Providers create own health plan

Being uninsured and needing surgery for an aggressive skin cancer on my eyelid, I would have been in trouble if I had waited for everyone to agree about health care reform.

Fortunately, some wonderful people developed a "health care reform" plan for me. Several physicians and the surgery center adjusted the charges and set up payment plans.

Friends and my church family helped with funds.

With this amazing generosity and income from two part-time jobs, it looked like I would be able to pay my bills. Then, a few weeks later, I needed cataract surgery.

Once again, I have been blessed by the generosity of friends and the medical team. Now, I am on the road to recovery and my eyesight has been saved.

My life has been touched by those who decided to help someone in need. Someday, if not now, I believe they will hear the Great Physician say, "because you did it unto the least of these, you have done it to Me."

CHRISTINE PAYNE

Ooltewah

Help the needy or control America?

According to our president, 30 million of 300 million Americans cannot get health insurance. That is 10 percent of Americans who, for whatever reason, cannot afford health insurance. Conversely that means 90 percent of Americans have private health care.

Yet we are told by the so-called progressives that we are in a health care crisis. And to solve this "crisis," we are told that the other 90 percent must sacrifice their plans and more money so that the government can take control of a private industry and dole out health care as they see fit. And if you oppose this government takeover, you are labeled with the latest progressive slur ("Party of No" or "Teabagger").

I think we can all agree (left, center, right) that the best course of action is to find a way to help the truly helpless 10 percent. If you as a progressive really care about helping, rather than controlling, then you would agree to abandon the president's massive project to take away what 90 percent of Americans have and focus only on those 10 percent that need help.

Truthfully ask yourself, do you as a progressive "want to help the needy or control America?"

THOMAS SCARPELLI

Soddy-Daisy

Vaccine editorials need balance

Two anti-anti-vaccine editorials on one day? Some of us who choose not to vaccinate our children are actually well-educated and have valid reasons for our decisions. Next time, please make an attempt to be more balanced in your handling of this controversial issue. Oversimplification and demonization of the opposing viewpoint does not help anyone.

The last time I checked, America was defined (and strengthened) by the relatively peaceful coexistence of multiple perspectives. The day I read a single article promoting the benefits of breastfeeding and vaccines with equal fervor will be a day for rejoicing indeed! At that point, I might actually be inspired to listen to the arguments of the vaccine apologists once again.

RACHEL HILDEBRANDT

Language proposal more of the same

Once again, the legislators in the "great" state of Tennessee are attempting to promote ignorance, prejudice and racial discrimination.

Rather than encouraging ethnic understanding and bilingual education, they are promoting a bill that would allow employers to dictate that only English be spoken in the workplace.

Employers already have the right to choose not to hire individuals whose understanding of the English language might prevent them from carrying out their jobs. This should be enough.

This bill will only reinforce the long-standing discrimination toward people of color, ethnic diversity and those of foreign-born origin that our people of the South are known for.

How can we expect to promote tolerance and foreign investment with such prevailing attitudes? I encourage all residents of Tennessee to contact their state representatives and demand this disgraceful bill be trashed immediately.

DAVID TESTER

Deal shows colors with departure

Rep. Nathan Deal has let North Georgia voters down.

Rep. Nathan Deal is quitting, effective March 6. This will leave his seat empty, and leave North Georgia voters unrepresented, when the all important health care bill comes to a vote.

Now comes word that Rep. Deal had missed half of the votes this year. We had "half a representative" and didn't know it. He's been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee; by quitting the House, the investigation goes away.

Mr. Deal is running in this year's primary for the Georgia governorship. His actions clearly show that he's not governor material.

THOMAS CURRY

Rossville

Drop city leaders for stormwater fees

I appreciate the Blue Ribbon Committee's work to examine why a 300 percent increase in the Chattanooga stormwater fee was instituted. After reading the report posted online, the facts speak more to dysfunction in broken government. Unfortunately, the city employees claiming need for the increase also benefit directly in salaries and benefits that no private business could afford to offer.

In a recession, why would an informed government charge small businesses, that cumulatively provide more jobs than any industry, an over-the-top fee increase? To add insult to injury, our church was annexed and assessed the city's stormwater fee. Our rate went from 0 to $32,000 a year with one month's notice.

We hired an environmental professional and learned that to get the credits, we would have to install expensive water-treatment features that would cost $42,000 installed, and our credit would not return the cost. The credits are all smoke and mirrors that the city markets as a solution, but is truly cost prohibitive in reducing the fees. I have suggested moving our church to another area.

Next election, it is time for a city of Chattanooga Tea Party and removal of the people responsible for harming our churches and businesses.

ALAN EDMONDS