To The Editor:
Thank you for your excellent coverage of the Tennessee Junior Miss Program!
As a longtime follower of the program, it was great to be able to follow the happenings of these outstanding young women during the week.
— Sherri Bishop
Tennessee’s Junior Miss 1972
Driver wants others to use turn signals
To The Editor:
I would like to raise awareness of what far too many drivers are failing to do. They are not using their turn signals. And unfortunately, I have observed police cars also that do not use their turn signals!
A few weeks ago, my wife and I were riding down Keith Street and I was trying to convince her of the importance of using turn signals every time when turning.
As we approached the intersection at 25th Street, there were five cars waiting at the light to turn. Of the five cars, one had the turn signals on. Of the four that did not, one was a Cleveland police car.
My wife quickly reminded me that using turn signals can’t be that important if the police don’t use them!
For those who forget or refuse to use turn signals, may I suggest you check the website www.turnsignals.org or Heather DeRusha on Facebook.
For less congestion and smoother flow of traffic, let other drivers also know you are turning.
Failure to signal should be enforced, including police cars!
— Roger Groot
Officer Smith should be put back on force
To The Editor:
This letter is in regard to the Banner article by editor David Davis which was in the July 21 edition of your paper. The article was titled, “Smith appealing dismissal from the city police force.”
If there is even a shred of truth in the article, then officer Smith should be placed back on the police force immediately. The man is a retired Army veteran who has served three tours in Iraq and received the Bronze Star medal. I have a grandson who has served two tours in Iraq, and has a Purple Heart medal, among others, to prove it.
Smith had worked a complete shift, was dead tired, and was again sent out on another call. None of officer Smith’s calls were directly related to the APD 40 wreck. At the end of his call, he was tossed a bag that came from the pocket of an ambulance patient. There was no indication that the bag was evidence of any kind, nor was there a paper evidence-chain passed with the bag.
It seems that the bag never left Smith’s car until it was removed the following morning to return to Lt. Freeman. The chain of evidence was broken long before, and not by officer Smith.
There needs to be a full and complete investigation of the entire issue, such that guilt, if any, falls where it belongs; and so that once again our local police force doesn’t behave on knee-jerk reaction.
— Richard Hughes
Lt. Col. USAF (Retired)
(Editor’s Note: Officer Smith’s appeal hearing was held Thursday. His dismissal from the Cleveland police force was upheld).
Politicians and your surveys: stop calling me
To The Editor:
I may be the only one upset about this, but I doubt it. I am talking about the unwanted phone call recordings from politicians running for office and calls of surveys about whom I’m going to vote for.
First of all, I understand you have to campaign, but aren’t the television ads, all of the mailings and all of the ads that permeate the newspapers sufficient without the unwanted recorded messages that are an intrusion on my privacy?
I’m told that even though I am on the Federal and state DO NOT CALL list that it is okay for these type calls. I think it is an outrage and something should be done about it!
If you feel it necessary to call me, at least have the decency to pick up the phone and call me in person.
I’ll tell you right now that even if I were going to vote for you, your recorded messages just lost you my vote. These calls are offensive and unwanted. Get a clue!
As for the calls about a “quick survey” as to whom I’m going to vote for, it’s none of your business. That is why it is a secret ballot.
Thank you and God Bless America!
— Victor Paul
