for pedestrians
To The Editor:
I am out driving early several days a week.
The students, early walkers and joggers are hard to see. If they had reflective tape on their backpacks and/or clothes, they would be easier to see and might prevent an accident.
Thanks for reading this and hopefully someone listens and follows this advice in the spirit it is given.
Betty C. Smith
Union City
Grocery wine
sales worth vote
To The Editor:
According to the Tennessee General Assembly’s Fiscal Review Committee, wine sales in grocery stores could generate $27 million in revenue for the state. Senate Bill 120/House Bill1158 would legalize wine sales in grocery stores across the state and create about 30 new jobs with the required licensing by the Alcoholic Beverage Commission over the next three years.
“We know a majority of Tennesseans support wine sales in retail food stores,” said Jarron Springer, president of the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association. “The positive fiscal impact is yet another reason for legislators to seriously consider these bills this year and not roll it into another study committee.”
Currently, District 77 state Rep. Judy Barker has predetermined her stance on the issue with a resounding “No.” With a strained budget in the State of Tennessee, record unemployment and declining home values, wouldn’t it be wise to allow the people of Tennessee to decide whether or not these bills should pass?
Let’s put it to a vote, Mrs. Barker. Should we continue to follow the “Pinion Plan of Politics” and allow District 77 to remain in an economic downfall or should we allow the people of this district to decide if we want our share of $27 million?
Susan Stigler
Kenton
Belt-tightening
urged in state
To The Editor:
In a recent edition of The Messenger, there was a picture of the Hickman (Ky.) ferry. If you have not ridden the ferry, this is a fun adventure. I have ridden this Kentucky ferry many times and I have paid the $12 fee. I like the convenience of the ferry and I love the time-saving. However, If I choose not to ride and save the $12 fee, I drive one hour south and cross the Mississippi in Dyerburg.
Ironically, last week in Nashville, there was a bill that would have restructured the current Tennessee ferry operations. There are two remaining ferry operations in Middle Tennessee. Currently, they only charge a 75-cent fee to cross the river. To my surprise, I find our financially-strapped state is pumping $500,000 a year into these mismanaged operations. Currently, over $5 million has been infused into this service and no end is in sight.
State Rep. Judy Barker voted to continue this mismanaged program. She voted not to restructure the program. And she voted to continue the subsidizing. She chose to continue collecting tax money from Obion County and subsidize the mismanaged ferry operations in Middle Tennessee.
As a self-proclaimed conservative, how can she support this kind of waste? If the state continues to charge 75 cents, taxpayers’ dollars will continue to be wasted. The logical thing to do would be to increase the price to ride the ferry, so that the ferry program pays for its own existence. Secondly, provide seasonal service and service on certain days. Duplicate the service and schedules provided by the Hickman ferry and adjust the fees accordingly.
Our state should look at every program and take every opportunity possible to tighten its bloated belt. Mrs. Barker, do I need to remind you that our state is laying off workers and teachers to pay for this ferry and many other pet projects? Please, please, run our state like a business. Allow programs like this to pay their own way or be discontinued. My family has been forced to tighten our belt. Representative Barker, maybe you should, too.
Scott Ellegood
South Fulton
Published in The Messenger 3.25.09
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