Letters to the Editor, June 14

To the editor:

I wrote a letter about 40 years ago on this same subject. It's about contractors, gas companies and the power company cutting city streets and not fixing them properly. They generally just let them settle a few days after they have filled them with gravel then pave them. Of course over a period of time they settle more and leave a rough valley.

I understand from the mayor that there are regulations that require them to be properly fixed. I have yet to see any ditch compacted.

If you see one of these companies cut a state road, they fix it right.

I suggest a paid permit required to cut a city street and an inspection to make sure that it is fixed right.

I read in the Times-Gazette that an engineer said that the reason the flume collapsed was because the ditches weren't compacted.

It does not cost that much more to fix it right.

Larry Hayes,

Shelbyville

Universal health care will destroy middle class

To the editor:

Our president is going way beyond common sense in the bail outs, the pork barrel projects, the lobbying being done by special interests, the taking over of General Motors (a private enterprise company), the plan to limit the pay of executives in private companies, and on and on it goes.

Every day it seems there is something else to spend money on.

Now we are looking at cap and trade that would drive up the cost of every American's fuel bill, both for home and auto use by at least 40 percent or more. And now health care.

Universal health care funded and driven by our tax dollars is an effort to destroy the middle class. There will be no competition for private industry to be involved, so the government will be able to set the cost and the care provided. When the government is the insurance carrier you will have no choice but to be insured by it. Then the government will be able to choose what kind of care you will get so your health care will be rationed.

Massachusetts has universal health care now, and care is being rationed and it is "breaking the bank" of that state's budget.

California has tried to take care of the health care of all the illegals that have flooded that state and the state of California is bankrupt.

People from all over the world come to the U.S. for health care procedures that cannot be had at home because their government health care program has a long waiting list. And if you are over 50 or have a chronic illness, you will be told you will not be treated, because to treat you would not be "cost effective."

Congress has the power of the purse.

These things will have to be funded, so if the budget doesn't have the money it needs they will tax with higher rates and/or the Fed will print more money.

Both will cost us dearly because as the dollar loses its value everything will cost more.

Bart Gordon, Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker need to be contacted with a resounding "No" for all of these pet projects that are going to bankrupt our country.

Donna Eyman,

Shelbyville

Higher gas prices will slow economic recovery

To the editor:

The American people were promised that Gasoline would not rise above $2.50 per gallon. Now that President Obama has retracted the Bush tax cuts on the Oil Companies, he needs to put a cap on speculating. If they raise the price above $2.50, the White House needs to foreclose on all the Speculator's assets, shutting them down for good. High gasoline prices were the biggest factor in slowing the American economy.

We need the press to report that the speculators are causing this large increase. The American people already know the oil companies can sell gasoline for $1.50 per gallon. If gasoline rises further, the economic recovery will start going backward.

Stanley R. Bradford,

Bedford County

A shame not to have Memorial Day ceremony

To the editor:

I just came from the cemetery again and today I'm still grieved with bitter tears over the fact that Memorial Day 2009 in Shelbyville was neglected. No flags, no ceremonies of any kind, no lowering of the flags to half staff that day, no public recognition, only a few churches displayed flags, and very little in the newspaper about it, because there was no Memorial Day news to report on in Shelbyville.

It is very disrespectful -- knowing that thousands of soldiers paid the price with their very own lives for the freedom we are enjoying right now -- that Bedford County would only honor this day as a three-day holiday weekend, with very few folks even thinking about its true meaning.

This day has always been a very special day to me. It's a day to be very thankful and remember our fallen soldiers with honor and respect, not neglect.

I will never forget our soldiers and I sure will never forget this neglected Memorial Day 2009 in Shelbyville.

It is a shame.

Gene Williams,

Shelbyville

Parent disgusted with imbalance among teams

To the editor:

I am writing this letter because of my disgust in the BCYB league. We have had the great privilege of living in three states now and this is by far the worst ball program we have encountered. Everyone I talk to seems to think nothing will change it because the same family runs it, but I must try.

When you have teams that are beat repeatedly 24-0 and 19-0, etc. you tell me are the teams evenly matched? I couldn't care less if my child loses every game, as long as it's a game. 24-0 is not a game.

This practice is called stacking your teams.

I quote the BCYB website, "As a league our success is measured upon the individual experience of each child and values that will remain with him or her for years to come."

How would you guys feel if your child kept asking why he can't win a game and the other team scores a "bunch."

My dear gentlemen, then you need to address this problem, for my child did not have a good experience.

Several towns in Alabama had this problem years ago, and they solved it by having a draft every year.

Each child tries out and is given a rank, then the coaches draw lots to see who goes first.

This prevents starter teams, like ours, as well as the other starter team in our division, from being filled with only new and inexperienced players. It makes the experience better for all.

My heart goes out to our kids because they can now hit the ball and can stop the ball. They are slowly learning to catch it in the air.

They have so much potential and would be better if put on a team with better players.

They would have learned from examples on the field. They have played their hearts out and it breaks my heart to see their little faces tonight after a 19-0 victory. Nease Machine coaches and players have done an excellent job and we are very proud of you.

On a positive note, we have played two teams whose coaches exhibited true sportsmanship to our kids and the kids on their teams.

Thank you Heritage Medical Center and Glover Construction coaches for holding your players so we might have a chance to finish the game. Glover even ran one of their players when we had the ball so their players would get out and we could play another inning. Your love for the game and love for the players was truly exemplified in such selfless acts.

I signed my child up and paid $35 and about half the games we played were called after only two or three innings after about 20 minutes.

I think I, along with the rest of my team, paid for my child to play baseball. If you can't evenly match the teams and let us play, then we deserve half our money back.

Stacey House,

Shelbyville

Proper warning expected for water interruptions

To the editor:

I am writing concerning a disruption in service of water at my business in Unionville that occurred earlier this week at approximately 10:45, just prior to our 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. lunch period.

I am certainly aware of circumstances that require upgrades and I am all for it. The community here in Unionville and the north side of the county has grown in the past two years, and the new high school that will open this season will be most advantageous to our county.

As an owner of a café, it is pertinent to have running water. My biggest issue with this is the lack of communication from the Utility District about the disruption. At 10:30, a rep entered my business and told me the water was about to be shut off.

I responded, "You can't do that now, it's my lunch hour."

Needless to say, within five minutes the water was off. A quick telephone call to the office led me nowhere. I was informed that the upgrade had been scheduled and it had to be done.

Having said that, I lost an entire lunch period of sales. This is unacceptable.

There are two restaurants, a grocery store with a deli, and several convenience stores, all of which require water to meet the health code to operate.

I can not imagine telling any customer fifteen minutes to a booked event that I am not going to be serving them.

As utility customers we all deserve some type of warning in the future and compensation for lost business.

R. Martin,

Unionville

Lions Club thanks golf scramble participants

To the editor:

The Shelbyville Lions Club would like to say a big "thank you" to all the teams who participated in our annual golf scramble at River Bend Country club on June 8.

We had 20 wonderful teams who gave their all on that hot sunny day. But the sweat and heat was all worth it and we do appreciate their time.

Monies raised during the fundraiser will go a long way in helping our club continue to provide needed eye exams and/or vision aids for members of our community.

Congratulations to Tommy Spain and his team for winning 1st place, 1st flight. And congratulations to all the winning teams, and again, thank you to all team members. And thank you to employees of River Bend Country Club who were so helpful in getting the tournament underway.

We are already looking forward to another fun time next year. We hope to see everyone there again.

Katie Guthrie-Shreve,

Shelbyville Lions Club

-- The Times-Gazette publishes letters to the editor as space allows, and reserves the right to refuse any letter and to edit for content and length. All letters become the property of the Times-Gazette upon submission. Letters must be typed or clearly handwritten, and must include the phone number and address of the writer for verification purposes. Letters must be 500 words or less, and may not include personal attacks against private citizens or businesses. Please submit letters to editor@t-g.com, or mail them to: Times-Gazette, Attn: Editor, P.O. Box 380, Shelbyville, TN, 37162.