posted April 13, 2006
An article posted on the Chattanoogan.com today details the latest clash between Commissioner Greg Beck, who is championing the cause of the citizens on the vehicle inspection issue, and County Mayor Claude Ramsey who is defending the program despised by so many of us.
First of all, kudos to Comm. Beck for keeping this issue on the front burner. This program is causing much inconvenience and expense for thousands of Hamilton County residents, many of whom can ill afford to do without their cars or make hundreds of dollars in repairs because of one faulty reading from a microchip.
Mr. Beck, I don't know whether you were correct regarding the timing of the installation of the inspection stations, but you are asking the right questions and making the right points. Keep up the good work. I hope you can find some support from fellow commissioners to reconsider this issue, and don't worry ... if you haven't solved the problem by Aug. 3, the cavalry is on the way.
Jeers to Mayor Ramsey and Comm. Chairman Larry Henry for dismissing the valid concerns of a huge majority of their constituents. Fellows, you weren't elected to represent federal bureaucrats, you were elected to represent the citizens of Hamilton County. And those citizens have made it clear that they want the vehicle inspections to go.
Ramsey was quoted as saying the inspection program "was not something we were happy about, but I know of no other choice we had." Guess what, Mr. Ramsey, you had plenty of other choices. Some of them, like the ban on open burning in the summer, actually made a bit of sense. This one is a lemon. Ramsey "also said the issue 'has been talked about and talked about and we need to move on." Mayor, we will continue to talk about it until you do something about it. Moving on with this program is not acceptable to the citizens of Hamilton County. We need to get rid of it and then move on.
And, of course, Larry Henry flip-flops again. What else is new? The same guy who first said "no tax increase" and then went over to the Dark Side, last week was questioning the vehicle inspections in almost the same language as yours truly, but this week he says "We can't terminate the program. We won't terminate it." Mr. Henry, five commissioners can terminate it anytime they have the guts to admit they were wrong to start it in the first place. You need to make up your mind whose side you are on. And, for once, it would be nice if you came down on the side of the hard-working, tax-paying citizens of Hamilton County.
Joe Dumas
"The Taxpayer's Best Friend"
joe@joedumas.com
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Though I’m normally not keen on additional taxes, the fight against emissions testing is misguided and shortsighted. Are the new emissions requirements burdensome? Absolutely. Are they part of the solution for cleaner air in the southeast region? Unfortunately, the answer is “yes” again.
Anyone who’s looked up the valley on a warm day can plainly see that we are a long way from breathing clean air. Local leaders with enough backbone and wisdom to stand behind this unpopular policy should be applauded.
Industrial air quality standards still need strengthening, but vehicle emissions can’t be ignored. The next step would be a carpooling tool on the city’s web page to help people link up and split the burden of these skyrocketing fuel costs. Such a move, if properly publicized, would result in reduced congestion, air quality improvement, and an offset in the cost of gas for all participants.
Thad Adkins
thad_adkins@hotmail.com
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The only thing that needs to be said about the emissions testing is this, if they were really concerned about the air quality they would make everyone conform, but no there are certain autos that do not have to be in compliance.
That says it all right there. Either make everyone or no one follow the same guidelines. It's just another way to make the politicians look like they are doing something.
I applaud any politician who stands up for the common person, and tries to see if from a real working man’s point of view.
Thomas Mitchell
tjmitch@comcast.net
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Good grief, people. If your car won't pass emissions go around the law. It's as simple as that.
Just buy your tag in another county. When I lived in Atlanta I registered three new cars here in Chattanooga to avoid Georgia's ad Valorem tax.
Use the noodle God gave you.
Ike Conn
ikeconn@yahoo.com
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