Re: Roy Exum opinion on traffic cameras:

The same arguments were offered when speed limits and traffic laws were imposed 100 years ago. When radar was first applied to speeding automobiles, the same arguments appeared again.

Traffic cameras are a natural evolution of law enforcement, where the latest technology is incorporated in enforcing traffic laws, with the goal of protecting the public. Why not do away with all traffic laws?

Since 1992, I've owned a building and business on Dayton Boulevard in Red Bank. Dayton Boulevard runs right through a predominately residential community, cutting the community in half. There are many families that actually live on Dayton Boulevard. Aren't they entitled to be protected from from traffic scofflaws like Roy?

Over 17 years, I've seen vast improvements in Red Bank. I think that East Ridge will see the same improvements in their community, due to the traffic cameras.

I could go on-and-on about Red Bank, the parks, the good schools, caring town hall personnel, the great fire and police staff, the terrific neighborhoods, the parades, all the great old houses from the 1930s, etc., but, I have to run out to Jenkins in East Ridge to eat lunch.

Steve Daugherty

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Years ago I was hit by a driver who was trying to speed through the intersection of John Ross Road and Bennett Road. Running the red light and speeding was the reason when he hit me that my truck was totally ruined. I was not hurt badly probably because it was an older full size truck, full of steel and metal, not plastic.

So I will be in the minority when I say to Mr. Exum and others that I am in favor of anything that encourages everyone to slow down and drive the speed limit and not run red lights. And if Mr. Exum is needing a fix of banana pudding so bad at Miss Jenkins that he needs to speed to get there, then we are better off in East Ridge without him coming around anymore. Let Mr. Exum stay on his farm and do without the good cooking Miss Jenkins and Wallys offers him. And I would guess the good folks in Red Bank would be glad you just find a way around their town as well.

And while I'm at it Mr. Exum, leave out the personal lives and family of Mr. Sewell and Mr. Steele. What Mayor Steele does on Sunday morning or what Mr. Sewell's dad would have thought is not for you or I to say.

David Roden

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Why don't we put cameras in everyone's home? Just think of all the
crimes that will solve. Why don't we put them in every office, that
way we can bust all those people that steal White-Out? When does this
Governmental intrusion into private citizens lives stop? How much
freedon are you willing to give up? Apparantly more than I am. I have
stopped going to my chiropractor's office in Red Bank and a Chinese
Restaurant I used to frequent in Red Bank and my Dentist USED to be in
Red Bank. Now I will stop going to my auto repair shop in East Ridge
and will stop going there for lunch. I hope East Ridge goes downhill
the same way Red Bank has. It is not about saving lives, it is about
reaching into our pockets for the thousandth time and taking even more
money from private citizens. That is all Government knows to do, take
take take, tax tax tax. Look at the current administration and
Congrees if you doubt it.

Syd Barrett

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I have a suggestion for Roy Exum and everyone that complains about the traffic cameras in Red Bank and East Ridge. If you do like our fair communities, there is no law saying that you have to come.

These people tell of not going to certain things in each community. That is one's opinion. The people of these communities can sleep better at night. They know that their streets will be safe from the speeders and reckless drivers.

Laura Crane
Red Bank
ToBSketching@aol.com

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Daily I read everyone's opinion of today's traffic cameras and after reading Mr Exum's post about how he will miss going to a restaurant in East Ridge since the installation of traffic cameras, I must say I sat back and chuckled joyously. Someone literally bypassing a town because they are improving safety for their citizens is the same as saying that you wont go into a bank unless you can rob it. It reminds me of a child crying "Mommy! Mommy! I'm not going to grandma's cause she makes me behave!"

You see, the speed vans you see on the street are manned with a police officer inside that reviews and witnesses the speeding infraction before a citation is issued. The only difference is you get teh citation in the mail instead of the officer running you down to issue it. As for red light cameras, the officer reviews the video of the infraction before the citation is issued. So what is the big deal. I have gotten two red light citations, one in Red Bank and one in Knoxville. You know why? Because I ran the darn light and deserved the ticket. Now, when I go to Red Bank to enjoy Armando's for lunch, I go the speed limit and stop at the traffic lights just like I am supposed to. Simple, simple, simple.

If I were the folks at Jenkins Buffet I wouldn't be very happy right now because when I read the title of Roy's article I assumed they were going out of business. They are such a good restaurant, I'm sure they won't go broke losing the folks that wont come to East Ridge because they can't speed. Keep the cameras rolling.

John Thatcher Jr
Trenton, Ga.

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Roy, they just don't get it. There was a time that we were all
innocent until proven guilty. Traffic laws used to be for safety and
"fault" purposes, and not just to squeeze every dollar out of anyone
they can. We never worried about "big brother" because by gosh, this
is the land of the free, America. When I don't like something that is
being said on the radio, I use my American finger and change the
station. If I don't like what is on TV, I change the channel. If I
don't like cameras watching me drive, I will avoid that part of town.
That is called freedom and it drives free enterprise. That is how
this country works. If there are not enough police, then where are
your priorities? But this is not a personnel problem or they would
not be lowering the speed limit at the same time they are installing
mobile cameras. This is an old fashioned speed trap and I for one
will use my American brain and stay out of East Ridge as much as
possible. I am not completely against using cameras to save lives. I
do agree that the cameras on Hixson Pike "S" curves has done just
that. But I avoid that area as much as I can. And, if there had been
businesses in the "S" curves when the cameras were installed, they
would not be there now. Many avoid that area. So East Ridge, I am
not a speeder. I do not run red lights. I do not text and drive. But
I will not be spending any more of my American dollars in your town.
This is the American way.
Deborah Williford
Chattanooga, TN

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I am certainly glad that these two gentlemen have seen first-hand
results of the traffic cameras deterring citizens from accidents but
I’m sorry to say that I’m in complete agreement with Syd. I also have
a personal feeling that your statements are somewhat of a minority as
well. I don’t think anyone has ever said that these cameras do not
prevent some accidents and radical behavior amongst motorists at
intersections. However, this is not the purpose. The number one
reason for any cameras of this caliber is for greed. It’s a very,
very easy source of income for the cities and allows them to make up
the revenue lost in other areas. I’m all for safety but I cannot
stand by these cameras whatsoever. The only way that they will take
them down is if they do not make enough money off of the tickets to
pay for the cameras. If you choose to avoid Red Bank , East Ridge or
various other intersections in Chattanooga to make that point, I think
you should. I’m not ever going to forfeit my rights just because
something is for more good for us than it is bad. Unconstitutional is
unconstitutional….there is no good in that. The spin doctors can
easily point out the good points to get what they want, it’s the
sheeple that easily follow the laws structured in this way that make
it so easy for them to keep taking advantage.

Carrie McGaffic
Red Bank
carriedhopkins@yahoo.com

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If everyone would obey traffic laws, no traffic cameras would be
necessary, and I don't think it is fair to stop supporting a great
restaurant like Jenkins in East Ridge because you don't like something
proposed by the city to try to protect their citizens.

I stopped in Jenkins for lunch one day this week and I have never had
better food. I have lived in East Ridge since 1968 and I want to thank the city for the benefits that have been provided for my family, including the schools and churches.

Mildred Miller