Letters to the Editors

UT president’s

severance shameful

How nice to earn $410,177 a year; then resign with a “severance package” of the same amount. Even better, how wonderful to resign effective from June 30, 2009, and yet quit on March 1, 2009, receiving full pay for four months.

This refers to Dr. John Petersen, UT president, and considering the financial straits of the university and education in general. I think it’s shameful.

JILL EISCHEID

Paper should hear

Prebul’s side of story

I wonder how much advertising revenue Joe Prebul has paid the newspaper in the past few years? I would guess it’s probably in the millions.

And yet, the paper has assumed the role of prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner.

How about cooling it until you hear both sides? Every ditch has two banks.

KEN STILL

VW project needs

more local workers

VW, it was reported Feb. 19 on Channel 3, will work 30 percent local people on their construction project. Tennessee and Hamilton County residents’ tax dollars provided VW with incentives to build their plant here, not Michigan, Texas, North Carolina or Atlanta, Ga.

Thirty percent for local people is a slap in the face. We have some of America’s finest when it comes to construction people. We have many great training centers, partnered with Chattanooga State and certified by the U.S. Department of Labor. Will the other 70 percent make an effort to train our young people when employment in our area is at an all-time high? They have not so far.

We have built nuclear plants, pumped storage projects, all on time and within budget. What is wrong with our local politicians? Can they not see if we working people in our area earn money here we spend it here? The other 70 percent will take their money back home. Meanwhile, Chattanooga is closing schools and laying off teachers. Some of these contracts will be let by the city of Chattanooga.

ROGER GRAHAM

Soddy-Daisy

Endorsement lacks

proper reasoning

I am appalled by the Times editorial (Feb. 22). The endorsement for Mr. Littlefield, after providing a litany of reasons for denying him a second term, is preposterous.

The editorial acknowledges that Mr. Littlefield has done little in his four years in office beyond “riding on the crest of the momentum” generated by his predecessors. It points out that Mr. Littlefield has actually “undermined more than helped in some key areas where progress had been made.” It goes on to acknowledge Littlefield’s nominal influence on the Volkswagen deal, then highlights a few of the mayor’s most egregious and questionable political decisions. At least one “seemed both vengeful and short-sighted.” It astounds me how you can endorse someone after stating that the person you are endorsing “seems to favor political expedience and cronies over competence.”

The lack of experience ascribed to Mr. Healy would still leave Healy the better alternative when compared to the current administration. I would remind the Editorial Board that the “momentum” they indicate Mr. Littlefield is riding was created by two “businessmenturned-mayor,” which Rob Healy will be when elected, not by career politicians like Mr. Littlefield.

GRETA LINDSAY

Wildwood, Ga.

Don’t sell wine

in grocery stores

The Tennessee Legislature is considering putting wine in convenience and grocery stores.

All liquor and wine stores are owned by Tennesseans. We live here, work here and spend our money here. The profits stay here in Tennessee. The profits of Wal-Mart, Sam’s. Bi-Lo, Publix, Kroger and Cosco are sent out of Tennessee to their headquarters, not to return to Tennessee.

Teenagers do work in grocery stores and cannot be supervised all the time, which could lead to easier access to underage consumption.

Wine in grocery stores can put your local wine and liquor store out of business. Remember, we are all Tennesseans. We should stick together. Help support small business owners.

Go to TWSRA.com or call 615-298-8165

VICKIE M. HURLEY

Hixson