In reference to the article in Sunday's Cleveland Daily Banner [October 23rd 2005] regarding the Bradley County Commissioners retreat.

An open letter to Bradley County taxpayers, commissioners and Tom Collins:

As the wife of a Tennessee Licensed General Contractor and a Bradley County taxpayer, I find the cost of driveway tile installation outrageous!

First of all, the landowner buys the tile for their property.  Second the Bradley County Road Department sends at least 1 unnecessary supervisor (because he usually DOES NOT provide any labor), 2  dump trucks and the gradeall.  So you have a minimum of 4  employees at a job site.  GUESS WHAT FOLKS?  WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY!

In discussing this with my husband and another backhoe owner/operator, I have found that a 20' driveway tile can be installed for  $500.00 or less with only 2 employees!

Taxpayers, commissioners, and Mr. Collins, maybe we need to consider subcontracting these driveway tile installations out to others by  way of bidding for the jobs.  If our company could save the county $234.26 on a 20' driveway tile, imagine what we could save the county on the 30' tile that Mr. Collins states cost his department $983.70 and the 40' that cost the department $1,373.00.

Judy  Dodson
.