City budgeting must be flexible

The editor of the Chattanooga Times and I clearly disagree regarding mandatory annual city funding of artwork at a fixed percentage of the capital budget. Let me clarify my reasons for opposition. I do not support perpetual fixed percentage capital funding for any purpose. This foolhardy budgeting practice hinders a city's ability to adapt to unexpected cataclysmic events, for example the current economic downturn. The needs, problems and revenue streams of cities are dynamic and budgeting solutions must be dynamic as well.

Private donors/foundations currently provide more funding for art than city government. Why is that a bad idea? Drive around Chattanooga and observe the excellent results of private and public art funding. Private donations for art are based on personal choices made by individuals. Public funding for art, while important, is not the result of individual taxpayer choice.

Thoughtful budgeting in this economic climate should be based on fiscal reality and priority of needs. Residents and businesses are making different financial choices this year because they have to. Cities are not immune. If choosing road repair over public art means some city officials "lack creative and aesthetic awareness," then count me in.

DEBORAH SCOTT

Chattanooga

City Council

District 1

Err on the side of Constitution

There's been much talk concerning Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe cheerleaders modifying Bible texts to encourage the football players. Numerous folks have hinted the school administration has attempted to take God out of the school. Some lamented the fact one person objected while the majority of the community seems in favor of mixing religion with the school-sponsored sports event. It may interest these folks to know that it's not a matter of numbers that's important, rather what's right or wrong.

Our third president, Thomas Jefferson, stated he wanted to be remembered for three things when he passed. One was the religious freedom statute he pushed through the Virginia Legislature.

If you visit his magnificent home in Monticello, this fact is brought out very vividly there. As I used to tell my U.S. government students, the idea of separation of church and state was first with our great country and is the only thing really new that we contributed to world history. Just because the majority wants something does make it right or constitutional. It's far better to err on the side of the Constitution than on the side of mob rule as our Founding Fathers stated when they gave us representative government rather than pure democracy.

DR. GEORGE A.

MILLER

Ooltewah

County firefighters deserve praise

On Oct. 15, my neighbors, the Phillips family, suffered one of the worst horrors that a family could experience -- watching their home go up in flames. It was a total loss, leaving the family to suffer the nightmare of being homeless and with no clothes except what they escaped with on their backs.

Dallas Bay Fire Department is to be commended for their swift response. The volunteers arrived fully dressed, hoses were laid, and immediately water was pumped onto the fire. The fire was so extensive, the firefighters could not enter the house. Their excellent training and dedication were duly noted.

Within minutes, units from Red Bank, Soddy-Daisy and Sale Creek arrived to assist. The Sheriff's patrol arrived to block the street and to assist. Hamilton County Emergency Medical Team was on the scene to offer their help, and Mayor John Mullis from Lakesite arrived with bottled water for the firefighters. The Red Cross arrived to assist the family.

The citizens of Hamilton County can be proud of the professional firefighters we have in our community. Their quick response time, their fast actions and willingness to put themselves in "harm's way" are to be commended.

JIM SHULL

Hixson

Get accounting for water funds

I feel compelled to comment on the recent raises in the water quality fee. The reports from Public Works Director Lee Norris are that this fee will raise $21 million per year. The rational for raising his amount of money is to pay for 35 inspectors and a handful (five) engineers. If the 35 inspectors are paid $50,000 each per year and the engineers are paid $100,000 each per year, this is $2.25 million total per year. That leaves $18.75 million for which no explanation as to use is being given and for which the hard-working businesses and property owners of Chattanooga will have to foot the bill in the middle of a recession.

Why didn't Lee Norris provide us with an explanation that told us where all of the money is going to go rather than just a small fraction of it? Why isn't anyone demanding an accounting for these funds?

JAMES LARSON

Flu vaccine in city is hard to find

On Oct. 20, I took the bus downtown to run some errands and to get my flu shot. A medical condition prevents me from driving just now, but I enjoyed the walk up Fourth Street and to the Health Department.

Upon my arrival, however, I was informed that the Health Department does not give flu shots. I was handed a card to make an appointment. The Health Department employee on the line informed me that flu shots cost $20, but are only available in Ooltewah, Sequoyah, and maybe (she wasn't sure) Soddy-Daisy. Her advice to me was to go to Walgreen's for my shot, the cost of which is higher, but she did not know how much higher.

Calls to three Walgreen's that could be reached by bus yielded information that they were out of vaccine and did not expect to be getting any more.

So, congratulations to you folks in the hinterlands who have access to the flu vaccine. I hope you take advantage of it.

As for us in the city, I guess we'll be erecting large tents to quarantine the sick if the epidemic does, indeed, strike.

JUDY HUGHES

Purse sting is unethical

I was appalled to read that local law enforcement (?) and retail giant Walmart recently combined to entrap unsuspecting customers by placing purses on top of cars and waiting for the tempted to pick them up.

This is as disturbing as years ago in my hometown when police solicited passersby of a neighborhood store with macadamia nuts, then arrested and prosecuted them for purchasing drugs.

Understanding the need to protect the public from loss, this deems unethical. Eight of 43 left with the purses and were arrested, but who is to say one of these would not have done the right thing after a moment to reflect.

What about the Cracker Barrel customer who found $100,000 in a bathroom and left only to later turn it in.

These eight never had the opportunity to do that.

There was an adage to "beg, borrow or steal" in order to provide for a family.

Well, none of these penny-counting bargain hunters did that, but they all were treated as if they did and now must face the costly legal procedure to fight for their freedom when all they wanted to do was shop at Walmart.

MICHAEL A.

BLASSINGAME