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Letters

  • An apology to some, but not all on foodstamps

    I sincerely apologize for harping on food stamp recipients in my last letter.
    Obviously there are plenty of over-weight children in America who have never benefited from food stamps.
    What disturbs me is how much heavier children are now compared to 40 or 50 years ago.
    My title for the piece was “Are We There Yet.” It was meant to be a humorous comparison between now and way back then.
    Having said that, I am glad it has inspired some debate on the issue of over-weight children.

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  • Bigger newer schools not most important thing

    Heart and soul.
    This is what I call our school here at Walnut Hill — our heart and soul.
    It has been the heart of our community, our teachers, our children and our families for many, many years.
    At the end of this month, it will be closing for good, and all the wonderful children who have passed through her doors will be a thing of the past.
    The wonderful memories we all have shared, the backbone of our community, and one of the best educational institutions in Roane County will be gone.
    It has devastated our family here at school.

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  • ‘Concern’ for the poor gives writer goosebumps

    Did you ever get the feeling you were being watched? When your skin crawled and chills surged up your back as if an icy hand had suddenly been thrust against your bare flesh?
    If you have, you can relax and continue grocery shopping.
    It could just be a recent letter-to-the-editor writer of Harriman being himself and “noticing” what other people buy in the grocery store.

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  • He has a proposal for those who are poor, overweight

    I was surprised to hear the mayor of New York propose limiting the amount of soft drinks a food stamp recipient could buy with food stamps. This is something that has bothered me for years.
    I do quite a bit of the shopping in my family and being a nosey person, I have a habit of watching and listening to other people. Sometimes it irritates my wife when I can hear a conversation at the table next to us, but I can’t keep up with what’s happening at my own.

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  • Energy policies need serious updating

    I like Gerald Largen’s column, but his constant Republican bashing is getting a little old.
    Democrats aren’t any better.
    Both parties seem to do nothing but argue and get little done. The last-minute midnight-hour budget passing that has become so common is a perfect example.
    Mr. Largen’s contention that the national debt is no big problem is, I think, very wrong. It’s the interest on the national debt that has to be paid.

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  • Congregation at KUMC is what makes the church

    Black smoke pouring from the back of the roof lines; fire trucks from many places; lights flashing, blinking red; police cars strobing blue.
    Elizabeth, Pastor John Anderson’s daughter, bringing a box of tissues all around, smiling encouragingly.
    Congregation members gathered in tears, heartache with helplessness, and with words of love and support in the smoky, twilight air.
    These are my thoughts and impressions of the evening of Saturday, April 30, when Kingston United Methodist Church caught fire.

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  • Wandering dog is safe thanks to people who cared

    Just before 3 p.m. last Friday, I was waiting for my niece to deliver an early supper from Cracker Barrel to my curb at 629 Unaka St.
    My 12-year-old Boston terrier, Blackjack, was with me as usual. He decided to go to the lot across the street.
    He does this very often, but he then decided to go on down to the house on the alley — all the time I am calling him and even went across the street to call him back, but to no avail.
    He went across Tennessee Street at the alley, and I felt he would stay there until my niece arrived, which she did very shortly.

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  • Looking for a real hero? They are close at hand

    Looking for a real hero?
    Take a stroll over to Sheriff Jack Stockton’s office, and say hello to Jack’s smart, professional, friendly and very pretty assistant, Beth.
    Finally find out “wassup” with the real heroes. The staff isn’t there for fun, and is very busy, but if you have a problem, I’ll bet that they will get someone from the deputy force to spend a few minutes with you, or give you the names of some very hip people to help you out.
    If you are lucky, you might run into my hero there.

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  • Another defends teacher in Bowers oinking incident

    I have long been an avid newspaper reader but have never before felt compelled to write a letter to the newspaper.
    Newspaper articles are written and placed in such a way as to attract the maximum attention and to increase sales of papers.
    That is the way it is done in big cities where the faces are unfamiliar and apparently also in small communities where we should actually know each other.
    With this knowledge, I take their content with “a grain of salt” and assume that all other thinking people do the same.

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  • Humbled honoree offers thanks for award, banquet

    The eagerly anticipated 65th Annual Roane County Chamber of Commerce Banquet, held on April 29, more than met everyone’s expectations.
    From the wonderful hospitality of Paul and Jean Cowell at Whitestone Country Inn, to the excellent food and service from their kitchen and wait staff, to the timely keynote address by Tennessee Secretary of State, Tre Hargett, not one person should have left feeling shortchanged.

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The Roane County News is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Roane County and Kingston, Tennessee, and the surrounding area.