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Johnson unfair to school board member
I am writing to clarify some incorrect statements and characterizations by Greg Johnson about me as a school board representative.
I supported a 7-2 vote to terminate the existing Leadership Academy memorandum of understanding because review was years past due and, more importantly, it had a $900,000 yearly fiscal note attached. I did NOT vote against it "because it is led by McIntyre" or I am a part of "the mad mob of teachers not content with his excision from the KCS system," and I did not choose "pettiness over professionalism, revenge over rigor, vengeance over vision."
Had Mr. Johnson done his homework, he would have heard discussion of the next agenda item regarding Superintendent Bob Thomas' recommendations, a key being savings of nearly $900,000 a year and continuation of our partnership with the Leadership Academy and the University of Tennessee.
Our superintendent has worked diligently these past months to address concerns about our relationship with the Leadership Academy. I hope the board accepts his proposal. We can continue to develop strong leaders. We will do it for our kids.
Terry Hill, District 6 Board of Education
Second Harvest says thanks
I’m writing to express my sincere gratitude to the generous people of East Tennessee. On Second Harvest Food Bank’s Double Your Donation day, we received donations totaling more than $635,000. This “DYD” has been the biggest and most successful fundraiser in the history of Second Harvest. It was an amazing ending for our 35th year!
Without the support of our incredible media friends, tremendous gifts from our corporate partners and the giving spirit of our community, this amazing success would have never been possible. Because of DYD, 1.9 million more meals will land on the plates of the hungry in the 18 counties Second Harvest serves. Together we are fighting hunger and feeding hope in our community, 365 days a year.
Elaine Streno, executive director, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee
Hughs column was un-Christian
Ms. Hughs' column on “evangelicalism” was the most biased, intolerant article I have read recently. She obviously feels that people of a religious faith (or political belief) dissimilar to hers are in error and are in a way evil. I remember that Mr. Obama implied similar beliefs in a speech several years ago — but he retracted it soon after.
Ms. Hughs claims to be a Christian, and I would be interested in her definition of that term. Her article certainly did not follow the Christian ethic or the Apostles' Creed — it seemed full of hate as I read it. I say all this as a Deist who voted (reluctantly) for Hillary.
William M. Law, Sr., Maryville