Schools’ fears of sex predators deepen isolationism in proposed Airbnb ban
The fear of out-of-town visitors is threatening a measure before Chattanooga city council that would ban Airbnb families from turning empty houses into havens for travelers. The proposed ban plays on fears that students like these at Girls Preparatory Schools are vulnerable to sexual abuse from neighbors if those neighbors let their houses through Airbnb. […]
‘Half the time they don’t bring’ TN inmate medications
By Sharon Rondeau / Postandemail.com A letter received May 22 from an inmate at the Trousdale Turner Correctional Center (TTCC) in Hartsville, Tenn., reinforces numerous reports received over the last year detailing very limited visitation, cold meals served at irregular times, long-term lockdown periods when inmates are confined to their cells for up to 23 hours each […]
Twilight of courts: Elusive search for justice in American police state
Angel and Jennifer Mendez with the child she was carrying when she was shot by police. “As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such twilight that we all must be most aware of change in the […]
Citizen commission could highlight crimes by state actors
State oversight of police officers is lax under the auspices of Hamilton County district attorney Neal Pinkston, and city police officers such as these readily escape responsibility for acts upon the citizenry that are torts and crimes, as in the Hanson Melvin case. (Photo Wdef.com) Does Chattanooga need a private commission to review abuses by […]
Court reform in Tennessee — how it could take place
A cruiser waits for Chattanaooga police officers who are in a neighborhood at a crime scene. (Photo WTVC) If God grants a restraining hand of judgment against the people of Tennessee and brings before them a greater prospect of justice, reforms will be in the direction of privatization of justice and reform within the courts […]
Refusing to serve meat in national crisis, Graham offers thin manna
Kamry Hoskins holds her daughter, Heidi Culpepper, at the Franklin Graham rally in Chattanooga May 15. (Photo David Tulis) Franklin Graham delivers a speech to a crowd in 2016. (Photo Billygraham.org) Carlos Betancourt, a Baptist minister to a Hispanic church, enjoys the shade of an umbrella at the Franklin Graham rally in Chattanooga. (Photo David […]
Lone defendant says ‘no,’ puts system in tizzy
Hamilton County’s new justice building and old jail, background, are seen by a grand jury as needing more efficiency, to better move along minor defendants. But the constitution makes it troubling and difficult for accusations to be quickly processed, and courts and the legal profession have found ways around its requirements. A petty criminal defendant […]
Boyd reveals ‘confidential’ details of tourism bureau
A family visiting Chattanooga enjoys a moment along the riverfront near the aquarium. (Photo Chattanoogafun.com) Tim Boyd proposes cutting the funding of the Convention & Visitors Bureau largely given by county government of which he is a commissioner. The group has a yearly budget of F$7.2 million, gets F$6.4 million or 84 percent of its cash […]
Tears, ideals at Roosevelt’s beloved Sagamore Hill
Sagamore Hill is the home to which Theodore Roosevelt raced at the end of each workday as New York city police commissioner. (Photo Jeannette Tulis) Last week during spring break, I fulfilled a long-time dream of visiting Theodore Roosevelt’s home in Oyster Bay, Long Island, known as Sagamore Hill. By Jeannette Tulis / Esprit newsletter […]
CVB’s threats to silence Boyd lack legal basis
Chattanooga is pitched as a tourist destination by a group that gets F$7.1 million from Hamilton County taxpayers. (Photo Chattanoogafun.com) A local nonprofit group that relies on tax money for most of its budget is threatening County Commissioner Tim Boyd, who is walking on tiptoes while discussing the group’s big spending. He should rather walk […]