The future of tourism is darkening as garbage increases

I poked fun at Mary Fortune’s “Cautiously Optimistic” article in the Business section on March 10th. So you think the future is better for tourism?

We moved here a year ago this week. The trash accumulated along Highway 27, Hixson Pike, Dayton Pike, I-24, I-75, and other major highways is more than disgusting. Why someone would want to bring their families here to see garbage everywhere is a mystery to me. I am ashamed that my family sees the kind of county we moved to.

Sending “Jailbirds”, as I was told on social media, is of little or no use for cleaning. On a Monday, Highway 27 was cleaned around the Chickamauga Dam. On Wednesday there were four or more bags of what appeared to be take-away food in the center. There was a dead coyote on Highway 27 south of Morrison Springs Road on the north side. It had been there for more than a week. Other states have “No Littering” signs on the highways with a heavy fine. Why not Hamilton County?

John Thompson

Soddy Daisy

Missing columns from Bill Stamps

I was so happy when Bill Stamps returned to write a Sunday column for the Times Free Press, and now I am so sad to read of his death.

His stories took me back to happier times, when people seemed more connected and life was slower.

I will miss hearing from Miz Lena, Elizabeth and his dog Prince.

What a treat his columns were.

Narney Raulston

Grateful buyer thanks the Good Samaritan for returning the purse

Kudos to the wonderful, friendly Samaritan who turned my purse into customer service when I left it absent in the car return at Ooltewah Walmart on March 5th.

Almost immediately I realized what I had done, and desperately drove back to Walmart to look for my purse. I didn’t see it in the cart return and rushed to the store for customer service to inquire if someone had returned my purse.

Words cannot explain the immense gratitude and relief I felt when one of the Walmart women, without saying a word, simply pulled my purse from under the counter and placed it on the counter.

My heartfelt thanks go to you, my Guardian Angel, for your honesty and integrity. I pray that the good Lord will bless you every day as you have selflessly blessed me with your impeccable character.

Pamela Early

Deep State is now in complete control

I was quite amused by the letter to the TFP that Biden was elected because 81 million Biden voters opposed Trump’s policies, compared to 74 million who did not. In the last election (2012, 2016) Obama and Hillary each received 65-66 million votes. So where did 15-16 million (about 25% more) additional votes for Biden come from? It certainly didn’t come from Conservatives and Republicans. Trump never lost his base in the 2016 elections. In fact, because of his politics, he received democratic and independent votes. And it’s a farce to believe that Biden, who spent his entire campaign in his basement, was more popular than Obama and Hillary. The extra votes could only be obtained through fraud, and the evidence is in, but corrupt swing state governments and courts have refused to review that evidence. They didn’t want you to know the truth. Our elections are now just as fair and honest as they are in Venezuela or any other dictatorial country. The Deep State now controls who occupies the White House – not the voters.

Gary Hayes

Ooltewah

The state needs classes that encourage learning

“But this is Tennessee” (editorial “Tennessee Going Wrong With Latest Doctrinal Law”). What does the editorial page of the Times, editor Pam Sohn, mean by this? Do you realize that over the past year thousands of people have moved here for good jobs, fair taxes, and fantastic life opportunities?

Nobody moves to Tennessee and Hamilton County in particular because of the fabulous public education. Most of all, Tennesseans want their children to have a good education. We want these good jobs to go to our friends and families.

Pam may be unaware of the adage “one bad apple can spoil the bunch”. A good education is the greatest factor in helping disadvantaged children move beyond their current means to more successful lives. Unruly behavior in the classroom disrupts the learning process for everyone, and the disadvantaged are even less likely to have alternatives to escape these classrooms. In Tennessee, we want classrooms that help create a high quality educational environment. If that requires Nashville law, it is Tennessee.

George Patten

Hixson

Bloated: record budget is too much

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s state budget for 2021-22 is incorrect for Tennessee taxpayers. He plans to increase the size and cost of running the Tennessee government to a record $ 41.8 billion in state and federal funds. He plans to spend $ 4.7 million on getting criminals out of jail, $ 6.6 million on mothers who are supposed to stay home for a year after having a child, and $ 100 million on corrections , $ 120 million for increases for teachers, $ 75 million for increases for government employees, and $ 63 million for increases for higher education employees, $ 181.5 million for health and social services, $ 4.4 million -Dollars for more TBI agents, $ 3.5 million for police cameras and radio upgrades, and $ 50 million for the Rainy Day Fund, which is already $ 1.5 billion.

Tennessee must reject this major government spending plan and return the savings to the citizens of Tennessee. A 7% reduction in the base sales tax rate would help every Tennessee citizen and make Tennessee a cheaper destination for new businesses. We need to cut spending in our lavish state government and reduce our high sales tax burden.

Call or email the legislature now.

John Christof

Jasper, Tennessee

Protection of electoral access to protect democracy

When a trash talk congress tabled and withdrawn in Nashville and some of our lawmakers for trying to address franchise rights, I shake my head. We lose sight of who is really losing when eligible Americans face unnecessary hurdles when their vote is counted.

Just look at our neighbors in Georgia, where lawmakers seem to insist on toning down the way its citizens vote. I hope that we will pay attention as we see how they approach dismantling electoral access such as extended absenteeism and early voting.

Voting alternatives are particularly important for working men and women, especially for parents and carers, and for seniors like me. Executives: Older Tennesseans (and Georgians) need your assistance in accessing voting. After all, ordinary citizens today face enough challenges to keep things together. Or is this point lost for you?

We fought together to give more Americans the right to vote. When our leaders try to go backwards in access to voting and alternatives, let us not be silent.

Evelyn Patterson

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