New tuition plan holds great promise for NC
Tuition just got significantly cheaper at Western Carolina University, and as long as the legislature keeps its promises to fill…
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Not perfect, but not all gloom and doom
To the Editor: Reading two letter writers in the June 29 issue, I immediately remembered Ronald Reagan’s famous campaign retort,…
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The staggering true cost of HB2
To the Editor: North Carolinians know about the immediate economic fallout from HB2 — the so-called bathroom bill — as…
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False dichotomies play out in black and white
There are people who believe that the reason black men seem to keep getting shot and killed by police officers…
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Battling the twin evils of gerrymandering and money
By Martin Dyckman • Guest Columnist Most of Europe’s aristocracy didn’t think the infant United States would last a decade, and…
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Doing business with your neighbors
In not every town do the children of doctors and lawyers go to the same schools as the children of…
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We are going to have to all help push the wagons
To the Editor: I recall some 65 years ago when citizens were often complaining about their governments, primarily about their…
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In praise of passionate, civic-minded teachers
As they say, the devil is in the details, and in this case the details are simply ridiculous. A bill…
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We have to teach boys how real men act
Because when she dresses like that, she is just asking for it. Because saying “no” is part of the game,…
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This country needs Donald Trump
To the Editor: I was reading Scott McLeod’s piece last week (www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/17903) with interest when suddenly I felt like I…
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Join the new movement or die
To the Editor: I read with interest the editor’s op piece (Even today, our republic is on shaky ground, www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/17903).…
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Even today, our republic is on shaky ground
“What really shaped me was doing all of those community programs and talks, where you could really make a connection…
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Resurrecting – and passing on – my wanderlust
If I described my childhood, it may sound to some like I was raised by a band of gypsies. And…
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Moral Monday event made me proud of WNC
To the Editor: I’d like to thank the community of Western North Carolina for so cooperatively hosting the historic Moral…
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Cox column promoted his brand of politics
To The Editor: Chris Cox’s opinion column concerning “trying to make sense of Orlando” in the June 15 edition of…
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Trying to make sense of Orlando
I don’t know what to tell my children, so I don’t tell them anything. Not yet anyway. It is the…
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Jackson’s support for education appreciated
To the Editor: As an educator and your neighbor, I want to thank the citizens of Jackson County for voting…
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Righteous people take care of their animals
To the Editor: In the article “Sound off: Haywood candidates talk animal shelter” from March 2016, Mr. Rogers wonders if other…
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Death in the afternoon, or my Hemingway day
On the wall by the closet behind my desk is this quotation from Ernest Hemingway: “All good books are alike…
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If this were the wild, he would already be gone
When next week’s edition of The Smoky Mountain News hits the streets Wednesday, June 15, my youngest will be a…
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Finally got a tattoo, and it’s raising a few eyebrows
I got a tattoo a couple of weeks ago. It wasn’t on a whim. I wasn’t intoxicated. I wasn’t in…
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Legislators passed smart coal ash plan
To the Editor: This is a critical time for our community and all North Carolinians. Decisions being made right now…
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Let’s build animal shelter to do the job adequately
To the Editor: I am seeing and hearing various opinions about the need for a new animal shelter in Haywood…
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Trump’s ‘nativism’ is just frightening
To the Editor: For one who has never held an elected office, Donald Trump is a brilliant politician. His TV…
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Sheriffs misrepresented
To the Editor: If you value honesty as an important trait for a Supreme Court justice, it should interest you…
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Still free to mix it up in the marketplace of ideas
Over this past Memorial Day weekend I found myself reading essays and columns about freedom, about military men and women…
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Vote ‘Yes’ for education sales tax
By David Belcher • Guest Columnist Voters in Jackson County will have the opportunity on Tuesday, June 7, to take…
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Nothing brings back memories like that first car
My daughter is turning 15 this weekend. Every 15 minutes, she reminds me that she will be driving a car…
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Trying times for school leaders in Haywood
Haywood County Schools has been a part of my life for 24 years now — as a journalist, the husband…
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The bugle never stops
One day recently as I was walking through the parking lot at Waynesville Middle School, a car slowly pulled up…
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Vote for Rick Bryson in June 7 primary
To the Editor: Rick Bryson is running as a Democrat for the congressional seat currently held by Republican Mark…
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Bryson is best choice to challenge Meadows
To the Editor: On June 7 citizens of the 11th Congressional District will be asked to vote again. Because of…
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Are we near the ‘who cares’ point for legal pot?
The last couple of years have brought a sea change in attitudes about marijuana. I’m convinced pot will be legal…
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That’s us, using our children as ‘escape goats’
My wife and I like to host small parties or entertain our friends every three years or so, not because…
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HB2 could be called ‘Hate Bill 2’
To the Editor: Recent letters have provided more smoke than light regarding HB2, also known as House Bill 2, which…
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Trump cares only about being the winner
To the Editor: For one who has never held an elected office, Donald Trump is a brilliant politician. His TV…
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The Left still has something to learn about tolerance
I’ve been observing something for years — though recently it has snowballed — and it has always struck me as…
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Let’s work toward a better Maggie Valley
To the Editor: Former President Ronald Reagan once said, “The republic is a dream. If we stop dreaming, we will…
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Governor’s office is still in the dark
To the Editor: There you are, governor of North Carolina, and somebody pushes a stack of papers in front of…
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Racism is not in the ‘eye of the beholder’
To the Editor: Sorry Dad, but in your column in last week’s edition of The Smoky Mountain News (www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/17607), you…
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Connecting a new generation to 9/11
Recently, a group of Waynesville Middle chorus students were at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, and when they…
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WCU students learning valuable lessons on civil discourse
It’s not the 1960s in terms of political activism, but recent episodes at Western Carolina University and across the country…
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A music nut makes the Merlefest pilgrimage
Anyone who knows me well will tell you that I am a complete nut about music. There are people for…
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No negative connotation in resignation
To the Editor: As a founding member of the Franklin Appalachian Trail Community Council, I offer for readers the following…
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Wallet issues and the legislature
To the Editor: They’re baaaaaaaaack. Yes, your N.C. Legislature is back in session and talking tax cuts. Hold on to…
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Vaccines important for pets
By Kristen Hammett • Guest Columnist As a pet owner, there are many things we do to keep our fur babies…
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Rep. Queen critical of GOP’s leadership, methods
“I feel like a one-legged man at an ass kicking. They don’t care for me because I call them out.…
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Carden mixes up the facts in book review
To the Editor: Gary Carden, in his book review in the April 6 issue (www.smokymountainnews.com/news/item/17428), claims that the McCarthy hearings…
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Little choice for Lake J. except merger
To the Editor: To this day, I have no doubt that the Lake Junluska and the City of Waynesville annexation issue will eventually…
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Completing Waynesville half marathon was a real thrill
There was a time when running was my saving grace. If I didn’t run at least four times a week,…
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