Dear Editor,

With my many, many years experience in the Copper Mines using heavy equipment, and contracting to make big money, we could have already had the Ocoee River Road, cleaned up and back in use, at a lot less money than the millions it’s costing us. With all the equipment they have to do this job and it’s supposedly gonna take at least until March 31, to get it open. Surely not.

While I realize the frozen conditions and rain has had a big delay on things. I also wonder if their taking more time about getting it cleaned up. With all the equipment they have to do the job-it’s ridiculous-it shouldn’t have taken this long.

Or is it just in time for the kayakers and rafters? While I understand our County and state needs the taxes, do us local people and regular travelers not matter? While we drive hours, extra miles, every day to get to our jobs, doctors’ appointments.  Or to check on sickly family and friends.

It’s expensive and our wages aren’t the best in the world. Our business and families are suffering financially and so stressed out from driving long hours, and can’t get enough rest. We are being drained mentally and physically.

Could it be the millions being paid out to linger this job on? It looks to me like their milking it for all it has. Thank God they have a good job. Lots of people don’t have one. Families are suffering. People do your math!

Hopefully the Ocoee River Road, here in Polk County, TN (Home of the 1996 Olympics) will be open soon. Unless, the money runs out and it probably will. Then what will happen?

Probably the only reason it will open by March 31 is for the rafters and kayakers. We’re all proud they come to enjoy our beautiful river, parks, fishing, picnicking and camping for relaxation.

There again, us locals feel like we don’t matter.

Another main thing is our ambulances can’t get the critical patients down to Cleveland or Chattanooga hospitals, quickly enough, to get the proper needed care. We all understand the extensive danger of this project. We hope and pray for their safety. When they get done, we’ll all feel safer traveling that road.

Corridor K should have already been open from Ashville, N.C., to Chattanooga but apparently we the people don’t matter. Give us Corridor K so this won’t happen anymore.

Doing this, if another rockslide occurs and I’m sure it will, it won’t affect us as this slide and clean up is devastating.

What’s Your Opinion?

Respectfully,

George Hedrick

(423) 496-2503

(Retired Copper Miner)

Dear Editor,

Thank you to all our customers for all of your support-4 totes of food & $200.00 donated to the Polk County Food Bank during the Halloween fundraiser, 2 totes of toys & $50.00 went to the Empty Stocking Fund in December. In January 1 tote of food went to the Polk County Food Bank, 3 gallons of coke tabs were collected for St. Jude’s, 73 families went through the clothing bank.

All of this would not have been possible without you!

Thank you,

Kids X-Change Plus, Gail, Becky, Amanda, Melissa & Katie

Dear Editor,

I’m a resident of Polk County and read the Polk County News weekly. I think it would be interesting to know why the Sheriff’s department singled out Seth Wyrick and his mom Jody Lanning to put their pictures and charges in the paper.

Each week they have the arrests and indictments and if they are going to put a picture of them, then they should put a picture of everyone arrested and indictments. But we know there is employees at the Sheriff’s department that have family members and children in trouble and of course their crimes have been covered up in Tennessee and Georgia. Or maybe this is all happening because of the democrat primary, and they are trying to make the public think they are working-trying to make the voters think they are doing their jobs and working hard since it’s election year. If they were trying to get votes by putting pictures and last time I inquired you were innocent until proven guilty.

The Lannings have always been hardcore Democrats and I’m sure that if they hadn’t already made up their minds they have now and I’m sure Mr. Rocky King will be glad that the Sheriff’s department helped him in his campaign to get the Lanning family votes. People should be treated equal.

Polk County Democrat,

Beth Turner