Does Ms. Patti Skates realize that the position she is running for does not pay any more? At one time she served and did not want the pay and two years ago, she asked for the back pay about $15,000. A lot of people did not know she asked for the back pay and received it, but that is a matter of public record. 

This cost us taxpayers a large amount of money because of the way the state law is written. We are now having to pay all five of the people serving until their term expires. Those serving now did not want the pay but were forced to receive the pay because Ms. Skates and two others asked for and received their back pay.

When she was on the board before, and it came time to work/vote on the city budget, she was noticeably absent during the votes on the budgets. That is the most important thing the commissioners do - vote as to how to spend our tax dollars. 

Margaret Chastain

* * *

I recently read Ms. Margaret Chastain’s comments about Dr. Patti Skates’ candidacy for Soddy-Daisy’s commission. 

I am not intimately involved with the details of Soddy-Daisy politics, but I do know that Chastain was one of Dr. Skates’ unsuccessful opponents in a previous campaign. I also know that Dr. Skates is a lady of character. She was one of my teachers at Red Bank High School, and she has remained a friend, mentor, and role model ever since I first met her in 1990. 

We need more civic-minded folks like Dr. Skates running for office. Drive-by shots at a person’s character and job performance are unfair, and I’m sure the full story of her time on the commission, including her back pay issue, is at least a bit more complex than what Chastain
presented. 

Travis Vaughn
Marion, Ala.

* * * 

In response to Margaret Chastain’s letter concerning my daughter, Dr. Patti Skates and the money received from Soddy-Daisy. 

After two other commissioners took the money and after Dr. Skates consulted an attorney and CPA, she was advised to take the money because she would have to pay taxes. 

The money was put back into the city of Soddy-Daisy.  It was given to the Soddy-Daisy Fire Department, the Vietnam Vets, Poe’s Tavern, Soddy-Daisy Jr. Miss scholarships, Neighborhood Helpers, and the Food Bank.  What have the other commissioners done with their money? 

As for missing a commission meeting, Dr. Skates was out of the county with People to People Student Ambassadors which she has done for 22 years.  The times for these trips are set by someone else.  How many past and present commissioner have attended every meeting?  I seriously doubt that they have attended every meeting. 

Dr Skates was told by a commissioner to really think about her running this time because it was going to “get ugly because she took the money." She chose to run to serve the community.
I don’t know what agenda Margaret Chastain has in mind, but she should have ask questions and  gotten the full answer before accusing someone of wrong doings.

Anna M Skates
Soddy-Daisy

* * *

My wife, also a PhD educator, and I have known Dr. Skates for over 35 years and have found her to be of the highest moral character and personal ethics of anyone, especially one in public office.  

Ms. Chastain makes unsubstantiated claims in regards to pay refused and then later accepted by Dr. Skates. Dr. Skates was going to have to pay taxes on those funds whether she accepted them or not. She, as well as others of that same commission, chose to take the funds. Perhaps Ms. Chastain finds good reasons for paying taxes on monies not received. Maybe Ms. Chastain finds fault with Dr. Skates donating those funds to various civic organizations and charities.  

Ms. Chastain recklessly claims Dr. Skates missed commission meetings and votes. I happen to know Dr. Skates was present at every meeting unless she was chaperoning students on educational trips to many foreign countries on her own time and expense.  

There may be some sour grapes at work here since Ms. Chastain made an unsuccessful bid against Dr. Skates in a previous S-D election. Ms. Chastain's misleading prevarications have no place in a civilized debate and should be branded for what they are.  

I am not a member of Dr. Skate's family, a citizen of Soddy-Daisy, of Tennessee, nor am I a member of her election campaign. However, I can think of no reason why a responsible voter of the city of Soddy-Daisy should be put off from voting for her due to the irresponsible assertions of Margaret Chastain.  

Joe Sherrill
Mineral Springs, N.C.