For some time I have been wanting to write a letter regarding the absolute standstill at the Chickamauga Lock. I picked today to sit down and Lo and Behold, it seems Senator Alexander is doing what he can to get the funding necessary to complete the work that former Congressman Zach Wamp fought so hard for. 

Rep. Wamp worked tirelessly and across the aisle to work with others to get work started on repairing/replacing the present Lock. I live only one mile from the Dam and it was great seeing those workers out there each day, the American flag flying high above the crane.....and then one day, I drove by, and no one was there. Slowly the equipment disappeared, the workers disappeared, the enormous crane with the American flag disappeared.....and so it has been that way for some time now.

I have wondered just what our present "representative" has even done regarding this project. You never hear any news about him fighting for it, you never see any articles about him reaching out to others to secure funding for it. 

I'll tell you why you don't hear anything from our present "representative." Every sound bite you see or hear from him is "Obama this" or "Obama that"..."Pelosi this" or "Pelosi that...or "Reed this" or "Reed that." He refuses to work with others across the aisle to come to a consensus on anything. Personally, I am sick and tired and just fed up with his attitude. Maybe this is why he is refusing to debate his Democratic challenger because she is from "the other side" that he constantly bashes.

Listen up Chuck.....you haven't done anything noteworthy in your term as our "representative" that would warrant you refusing a debate with anyone. 

When the 2014 completion of the expansion of the Panama Canal takes place and provides the U.S. with more trade opportunities, we will need a new Lock to assist with that demand. I applaud Senator Alexander for his insight and his ability to remove the partisan blinders to get things done.

No where in the article regarding Senator Alexander is our "representative" even mentioned being there or having anything worthwhile to say.

As a former active participant in Republican politics here since 1992, I decidedly refused to vote for our present "representative," to return him to a job where he does nothing but bash people. Yes, Chuck..I voted for your opponent. I want someone to represent me who is willing to work for everybody, not just who they are told to work for, and I believe that is what we have today.

I firmly believe that nothing will ever get done unless both parties work together for the good of the people and not just for a party label or for re-election. I will continue to stick to my principles and vote for those that will be a welcome change and fresh voice, and against those that refuse to represent the people...all people.

So, thank you, Senator Alexander, for doing what our present Congressional "representative" refuses to do.

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My congratulations to Rick Tucker for his timely article and his criticism of Chuck Fleischmann. I have written before that Chuck is a very poor example of a person with the constituents' best interests in heart. Instead, Chuck speaks only what he has rehearsed and only that and further, is beholden, not to a constituent but to Grover Norquist.  

When I vote for my representative for Congress I do so based on his voting record, check Chuck's, and his relationship with the people that put him in office. I, too, have voted for the Democratic candidate but know that she is not likely to win because Chuck gets money from outside Chattanooga.  

Folks, isn't there something wrong with a candidate that needs help from people that are not his constituents? Who does Chuck represent?  Give up?   It's not the people in the 3rd District. Wake up people.   

Robert J. Brooks
Chattanooga