I just wanted to thank you for presenting the Q & A article on the City Commissioner Candidates in this past weeks’ editions of the S C Advocate. It is nice to see a media source presenting useful, unbiased information about election candidates instead of the usual, politically-slanted reporting we see so much of today. It is refreshing to have information presented to me in a manner that allows me to come to my own conclusion, as opposed to simply being told what someone else wants me to think.
Again, thanks.
Carl H. Royster
Kingston Springs
To The Editor:
A recent editorial in the Tennessean by our State Coordinator of Elections suggests that we simply accept the risk of flawed elections, and offers the lamest excuses I have ever heard as to why Tennessee cannot have verifiable voting by November 2008. Here are the excuses:
1) 93 of our 95 counties already made the wrong choice.
2) Paper ballots could require stacks of paper.
3) No voting system is perfect.
4) Changing systems in an election year is “dangerous”.
5) Replacing our flawed equipment will cost money.
6) It might be hard to learn a new system.
7) It might be hard to test the new equipment.
8) It might be hard to train poll workers.
9) It might be hard to train voters.
10) Tennesseans probably aren’t up to a learning curve.
11) Problems with voting machines might not even exist.
Problems with voting machines are well documented, and the people of Tennessee are more than capable of fast learning when it comes to protecting our freedoms. Please use my tax dollars to buy paper, print ballots and conduct training. And, for the love of the Founding Fathers, can someone tell me what is “dangerous” about a change that would help ensure that every vote counts?
Why so many Tennessee counties squandered the original funds on the wrong machines is beyond me, but there is no excuse for perpetuating this mistake. We need to fix it now - whatever it takes - and move on.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Ward
Kingston Springs
Dear Editor,
It seems that some folks have taken offense at my calling downtown Kingston “Old Town”. These are probably the folks that have never been out of Cheatham County.
You could call it “ Kingston Springs Historic District” or “The Town of Kingston Springs Prior to Subdivisions” or “City Center” or “The Money Pit” but I like “Old Town” because it has a nice ring to it.
The purpose of a name designation is to point out something unique. If you’ve been to “Old Town” in Albuquerque, New Mexico, you know what I mean.
If you want tourist to visit downtown Kingston, put signs at the interstate exits and at the stoplight that say “Old Town” with an arrow pointing in the appropriate direction. The sign at the stoplight should also include mileage. Upon seeing the signs, tourists/ travelers will recall their pleasant experiences in other cities that had areas designated “Old Town” and become curious. Homeowners should be proud of living in Old Town Kingston.
Norm Finch
Kingston Springs
To The Editor:
I call upon school students of all ages to gather around me. Consider one play in the Super Bowl. A quarterback that had a history of average performance and not known to get away from tacklers somehow got out of the pocket. He then heaved a pass to a receiver that ranked no higher than fourth on the team’s receivers. The receiver, using everything he physically and mentally had, caught that ball while stretching in a crowd of defenders. Notice how he would not let go.
A quarterback did far better than his past record in that moment. A receiver did far better that his past record in that moment and both against the best. Are you below average…maybe just average? These seemed to have that type of record. They reached farther. I believe you can too.
Regardless of who I was for, I’ll never forget that play and don’t you forget it either. Those fellows were giants. I think you can be one too. Just as you and I enjoyed that play, there’s people that want to enjoy your super effort too.
Homer R. Dodson
Of East Bell Town
To the voters of Kingston Springs:
Thank you so much for your overwhelming vote of confidence this week. This campaign was a wonderful experience, giving me the opportunity to meet so many of you and listen to your ideas for the future of our town. In the midst of my elation from winning this election, I am also sobered by the awesome responsibility you have laid in my hands as one of your city commissioners. Please know that I look forward to hearing from you and I encourage you to continue to be a part of the process as we move forward.
Most sincerely,
Craig Kitch
Kingston Springs
To the Editor:
I don’t really know how to start this article. I am mad on one side and sad on the other side. I don’t see nothing to be happy about when it comes to urban growth. I remember when Kingston Springs had gravel roads and fewer people. Mr. Vernon Newsom use to ride in his horse and buggy from Pinnacle Hill to downtown Kingston. I can still remember riding in that buggy and having to walk back down town. Now that was the good ole days. Their gone and their gone forever.
I don’t like it but we’re going to have growth. I guess it won’t be so bad as long as it stays around the interstate. That is commercial property. Restaurants, motels, movie theaters might be ok. What about a factory or something behind the south side of McDonalds? As long as noise and pollution is a kept to a minimum. Somewhere people could make 15 to 20 dollars an hour. That would give them more money to spend. The property that Mr. Dillard owns beside the school is real nice. It would be nice if somebody might build a YMCA with a big swimming pool, tennis courts, volleyball, a horse shoe pit and maybe a few rental cabins. It’s got great access to the river and darn good fishing. Don’t tell no body. Ha.
Down town Kingston Springs is great for little shops. Where’s the candles and leather? I wish you luck when somebody with an east coast attitude has you land locked. What do you expect? The old steel plant is an eye sore to me. No punt intended. But they would make a great business for something. I no they don’t need the whole building. With access to the railroad there should be so to go people working there. Lets build army tanks, rail cars something heavy, without a lot of noise and pollution.
As for urban growth that stinks. Houses, condos, apartments and subdivisions. I know that homebuilders have got to make a living but we don’t have to like it and it doesn’t have to be here. I don’t see no hope. Most Cheatham County Officials are contractors. They’re all are going to vote the same way eventually.
The chance that we do have is to preserve! You older people and land owners that have tracts of land; you don’t have to sell. There are several ways to preserve your land tax-free and you still have control over it. You can also go to the county clerk and have restrictions put on it. When you die you can pass it on to your kids. You can have it fixed where they can’t sell it. It can only be divided into 5-acre tracts. No condos, subdivisions, or trailer parks, etc. Some day your kid’s kids is going to need a place to hunt, fish, ride 4 wheelers, horses, or just get out enjoy nature maybe read a book.
Thank God we have people like Mr. Burns. Wouldn’t it be a shame to see a hundred houses built where Kingston Park is? What about the golf course? What if houses were built where The Cheatham game reserve is or where Montgomery Bell Park is? That was good planning and preservation.
I drive a truck across this great land of ours. I see woods and farms everyday go up in houses, strip malls, and subdivision. When the land is gone its gone forever. We all really depend on the other side of the pond for fuel. You think that’s high? Wait to we don’t have no farms or farmers. They’re a dying breed. We’d have to depend on the other side for food. Tomatoes 5 dollars a pound, water melons 20 dollars apiece, dozen corn 20 dollars. Do you get the picture? If you don’t, give it time you will. We need to preserve what we got, why we still got it.
Ps. Brink back America and American jobs. We don’t need tax free immigrants running around living on our money and healthcare. Get the rope James! Woops, I mean the egregious officials responsible for this situation.
Pss. Turn your lights on in the rain theirs trucks everywhere.
Jeff Linder
Kingston Springs