Re: Roy Exum article on emissions testing:

Mr. Exum, I would like to look you in the eye and shake your hand. You're the smartest white man in Hamilton County.

I looked at my renewal slip and I didn't see any other county but Hamilton County that was charging this fee for emissions. I went through the test, tried to pass the test in a car that had no smoking, no exhaust fumes, etc. I was made to take the car for repairs on the muffler, which I did.

I returned with the car and still got the razzle-dazzle of not passing because it was not emitting enough fumes! Then you pay the $10 cash (no checks). No credit cards. Nothing above a $20 bill.

I don't know how this requirement started. I don't recall voting for this emissions testing. It has nothing to do with safety. I think it is the biggest scam of the decade.

When my car failed the test the first time at the Eastgate Testing location, the men would not return my $10 and when I raised 'cane' they treatened to call the Chattanooga Police Department on me. On the way to get my muffler repaired I saw five tractor-trailers with smoke coming out of the stacks. I saw three Hamilton County cars with expired tags. I saw three Hamilton County cars smoking up the environment. Not one CPD car had stopped any of these violators.

Hamilton County seems to be the greediest county in the state. If someone waves a dollar at them they will figure out a way to get half of it. Then they split the money with whatever gimmick (traffic cameras) and so forth that someone comes up with.

When I took my car to a different location the man put some code into his computer and gave compliance. My thought is: They can do whatever they want to when they want to 'if' they want to. They don't have any regulatory agency watching over them. I'm just a poor black man trying to live on Social Security.

Bobby Q. Day
East Brainerd

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Mr. Day
I agree with your statement about the emissions testing. I took my car in for emissions back in October and my car did not pass either. So off to the shop to spend a whooping 600 bucks, the car was running perfectly and who would have ever known it needed all that work.

I would also like to add to the list of scams. The City of Chattanooga's famous city sticker.

Oh well, what's next, the wheel tax...shhhh...I better not give them any new ideas. I am close to being flat broke.

Annabelle Allen

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I have to speak to the emissions testing by citing an example of just what is wrong with the testing. If you have noticed the testing does not check safety equipment, ie. tires, windshields, noisy exhaust. Instead they check only one item.

I have seen motorists in this town sporting windshields that are so badly shattered one would think the visibility inside would be compromised. Oh no, drive on dude. I

I was behind a fella yesterday on 153 that was driving a car smoking so badly it was hard to see. How can that be? I am willing to pay a bit more for a thorough safety inspection annually. How about you?

Robert Brooks
Guild Trail