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Buy Now

In the few travels I've had to other Southern cities, one thing seems obvious. The historic places have combined community pride and developed wonderful new places that cause even more pride. I recently hosted a friend from Alberta. She was delighted to visit our bookstores and West Town Mall. She thought the Volunteer Landing was attractive at night. We drove through downtown after 6 p.m. and she marveled that no one was there!

Are we going to live in the shadow of 1982 forever? Renovate the pre-Historic if we can, but don't let this opportunity to join the modern age pass us by. The new downtown development project seems on the surface to hold our best hopes. If we do not take action very soon we will continue to be on the outskirts of success such as Chattanooga, Nashville, Asheville, Charlotte, etc. I agree that modifications to the plans will be inevitable. But once and for all, give this town a chance to grow and find a new, VIBRANT life. This stoic, leave things alone approach is stifling evolution and holding back the promise of our imaginations.

We should all celebrate the recent improvements of the city. But these are very small doses in narrow pockets. Thank you for illustrating what our future should be.

Steven Klyce
Knoxville

Yet More Shame

I am dismayed that you have fallen into the trap of trendy and sloppy journalistic labeling. It would seem that any female candidate with children of less than majority is labeled a "soccer mom." ["Soccer Mom Reformer" by Matthew T. Everett, Vol. 10, No. 24] Shame on you.

Being a soccer mom means driving children to practices in fair weather and foul, providing snacks, attending games, cheering for the team, bandaging cuts and bruises (or worse injuries)—the list goes on. I commend parents who support their children in this and other wholesome activities. Some of those parents—mothers too—may go into politics as Shannon Wood has. According to your article, Ms. Wood cares about a number of public issues and wanted to be a good role model for her children—be they cellists, bicyclists, bridge builders, or merely adolescent dreamers.

Running for public office takes a large commitment of time, personal expense, and energy—more than many people are willing to put forth out of concern for their community or country. I don't know much about Ms. Wood, but I salute her willingness to make the effort, and her family's willingness to share her. Are we to expect that the Wood children will flee the soccer fields, labs, libraries, or studios and go steal hubcaps? I think not—they will be too busy proudly campaigning for their mother.

Please don't patronize women with that label any more. Thank you.

Nancy P. Stewart
Knoxville

Old Fart Seeks Public Office

I think that many politicians could learn a thing or two from Jesus. Jesus told great truths in parables. Let me tell you all about the parable of the small child. Once upon a time there was a small child named Tennessee. Tennessee's parents agreed that they should teach Tennessee about real life, so they gave Tennessee an allowance. Well, lo and behold, Tennessee spent all the allowance the very first day and then asked for more money. Being good parents they said, "Tennessee, you have to learn to live within your budget. We won't give you anymore money because we love you very much, and don't want to spoil you. You will have to go without for awhile."

In other words, I am sick and tired of the tax and spend people asking to increase their "allowance." Why don't we hear more about reducing expenses? All I ever read is give me, give me, give me. What ever happened to good ole common sense? Let's try to reduce, reduce, reduce. Maybe it's time for a real-world person (me) to run for office. Someone who doesn't mind being the "old fart," instead of the "spoil them rotten" type that will soon turn the greatest nation in the world into just another socialist country.

Steven Murray
Knoxville