I am deeply disappointed by the city’s decision to bring a circus with performing wild animals to Chattanooga once again.

The elephants, big cats, bears, primates, and other wild animals who are used in circuses often endure inhumane and abusive training and living conditions. When they are not performing, they may spend most of their time in extremely close confinement. These animals have little legal protection at state or federal levels.

In addition, performing wild animals pose a real threat to public safety, precisely because they are wild and therefore unpredictable. No amount of training or affection can eliminate this danger.

I encourage everyone to do a little research about the truth behind the Big Top. There is a lot of information out there, if you choose to educate yourself.

With so many better choices in entertainment, I urge the UTC to sponsor circuses that do not involve wild animals. The use of performing wild animals can desensitize individuals—especially impressionable children—to animal suffering. And it doesn't teach anything about the lives of these magnificent animals in the wild.

Jeanine Cloyd

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In reply to comments and concerns brought by Ms. Cloyd about the Circus in Chattanooga, don't go.

It's really simple - choose to spend your money elsewhere. If enough people feel the same way you do, then the circus will go away all by itself.

Here is what I consider a brilliant idea - urge Mayor Glasscock over in that dying metropolis of Redbankistan to woo the circus over to his town. Since no one is going through Redbankistan, the circus will never come back.

Problem solved, have a nice weekend.

Brian Middleton

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The community of Red Bank has been dealing with some closings, but which town has not? The economy is not pleasant for everyone. Brian, name me one town or community that does not have a vacant building. You cannot. Everyone talks about the vacant buildings in Red Bank, but not the new business buildings that have opened. Krystal closed because of years of poor service. Captain D's was replaced by Serendipity Deli.

When Corridor J opened, the community of Red Bank was hit hard. Moving the Red Bank Elementary School out of the community was another hard blow. Shops and stores were moving out then. It was not for the traffic cameras. Brian, did you know that the traffic accidents are down over 55 percent since the cameras have been active?

Someone asked me the question "Why didn't Mayor Glasscock's son build inside of the city limits of Red Bank? It is called a "conflict of interest". It would be like a doctor operating on his own family.

Brian, where did Red Bank come into this opinion piece? The person was talking about the circus coming to Chattanooga. There is always going to be people to protest about anything.

The PETA folks were out showing their signs at the beginning of the circus. They had packed up and left. They were not out while the crowd left. I wonder if they do stuff that we would like to protest on? They have a right to do what they need to do, but we have just as much right to attend a circus. There was not much animals in this one. It was most magical performance.

Red Bank is a wonderful community that many call home. It is steeped in rich tradition and regional history. Sherman and his troops hid out in South Red Bank. Their hideout was the "Duck Pond". Yes, I agree that Red Bank has fallen on some hard times, but hasn't everyone? Red Bank 'will' survive. It has survived floods, fires, tornadic-style storms and the blizzard of 1993. It will survive this.

Laura Crane
ToBSketching

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May I have choice to attend the Circus? I don't need PETA fanatics to tell me where to spend my money or what type of entertainment event I should attend. If you cared as much about human rights as animal rights, I just may listen.

Gerald Parham, Sr