The importance of streamside vegetation
Some people consider streamside vegetation a nuisance in need of being cut back. However, it serves a valuable purpose. It…
Read More
Socialism is a misused word
To the Editor: The only thing I learned from a letter in a recent edition is that the letter writer…
Read More
Most Americans support abortion rights
To the Editor: I read with interest Mr. Crider’s “Another view on Abortion” opinion piece in the Aug. 3 edition…
Read More
Living in the moment, cleaning the mind
I’m writing this column from Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo in Mexico. We just watched the sunrise over the Caribbean…
Read More
Do opinions still belong in newspapers?
“Not all opinion pieces have to be complaints or deal with issues. Sometimes it is enough to share old memories…
Read More
Better cops make for better communities
I never did buy in to the “defund the police” movement that swept the country a few years ago. Yes,…
Read More
Don’t forget Hiroshima Day
At this moment we are all struggling with many critical issues. The war in Ukraine, the increasing disasters of climate…
Read More
Conservatives must save our country
To the Editor: Three hundred Spartans. The battle of Thermopylae, fought between the Greeks and the Persians in 480 B.C.,…
Read More
Breaking down walls and sharing some magic
“… I hear Mariachi static on my radio / And the tubes they glow in the dark / And I’m there with her…
Read More
Christianity is not partisan
To the Editor: During the past several weeks, a seemingly coordinated series of increasingly vitriolic letters to the editor have…
Read More
Muddying the waters school board election
To the Editor: Over the past few weeks, a series of letters has appeared in local papers which seems to…
Read More
Lessons learned from superheroes
In a previous column, I talked of my personal challenge to undergo “The Great Susanna Reset” this summer. One of my…
Read More
School board race has important choices
To the Editor: On Tuesday, July 26, there will be a runoff election for school board in Jackson County. Early…
Read More
‘You’re OK,’ and more notes from the road
She was 70, or so she said, but looked 15 years younger. She was alone and sipping wine and eating…
Read More
Three education facts you should know
I have strong opinions about education policy in North Carolina and beyond. Maybe you’ve noticed!
Read More
Let’s strive to become great
To the Editor: Been thinkin’ lately ‘bout M.A.G.A. What an acronym! It sounds strong.
Read More
Religion doesn’t belong in schools
To the Editor: As Sylva prepares for its school board runoff election July 26, many signs sporting crosses by one…
Read More
Being intentional about a life reset
I tend to live on a deeper plane than some, and it’s admittedly an exhausting place to be. I feel…
Read More
A modest proposal to eliminate abortions
I have a modest proposal to solve the abortion dilemma, but first we need to understand the background.
Read More
Will Merrick Garland defend the constitution?
To the Editor: The question on the minds of many Americans, will Merrick Garland follow the endless trail of irrefutable…
Read More
Pless and Clampitt are too partisan
To the Editor: Behind the backs of local government in Haywood County, N.C. GOP Reps. Mark Pless and Mike Clampitt…
Read More
We can overcome WNC’s affordable housing crisis
I am old enough that my first 1,800-square-foot house cost just $31,000 and its purchase was easily financed on my…
Read More
Medicaid expansion will save lives, benefit all
North Carolina has one of the highest rates of uninsured people in the country, but our elected officials can cut…
Read More
Gun safety legislation
To the Editor: As a mother, aunt, pediatrician and neighbor to beloved children, I have long been deeply troubled by…
Read More
Election integrity is fundamental to our freedoms
As I was re-reading last week’s issue of The Smoky Mountain News and about the Juneteenth celebrations in the mountains,…
Read More
Thanks to all for keeping Jackson clean
To the Editor: We are so blessed in Jackson County to have many dedicated individuals and community groups who have…
Read More
New and shiny isn’t always better
In my adult life I’ve noticed an emotional pattern when it comes to appliances. When I have an antiquated appliance, it…
Read More
Congress should fulfill the Second Amendment
To the Editor: In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and yet another mass shooting in America I am…
Read More
Rep. Pless bullies his way over local leaders
“Arrogant.” “Out of control.” “Power hungry.” I’ve heard all these words — and worse — used to describe Rep. Mark…
Read More
So what’s the big deal about plastics?
The towns of Waynesville and Canton have recently joined hundreds of other communities in declaring a need to dramatically reduce…
Read More
Burr, Tillis should support gun control
To the Editor: This is an open letter to Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis.
Read More
We need to enact stricter gun laws
To the Editor: I am a recent resident of the lovely state of North Carolina and am truly honored and…
Read More
It’s hard not to love where we live
When I travel and tell someone I’m from Waynesville, a small town nestled in the Smoky Mountains, the comment is…
Read More
Will Chuck Edwards condemn attempt to steal election?
Chuck Edwards defeated Rep. Madison Cawthorn in the District 11 Republican congressional primary because of the incumbent’s bizarre and immature…
Read More
Remembering the sailors aboard the USS Liberty
To the Editor: A reporter for Al Jazeera (Shireen Abu Akleh) was killed by Israeli military personnel as she covered…
Read More
GOP has lost its moral compass
To the Editor: The Republican Party is not the party of life.
Read More
There’s still a market for good journalism
The mantra since starting this newspaper has been straightforward: put out a high-quality newspaper and work like hell to make…
Read More
Time for a little less gun loving
“Hollywood and video games glorify violence while those with mental illnesses remain untreated.“ Those are the words of Chuck Edwards,…
Read More
Partisan local election bill a mistake
To the Editor: Municipal elections in Haywood County, which are currently nonpartisan, could soon be conducted on a partisan basis…
Read More
Highlands’ ordinance perplexing and illogical
To the Editor: The ordinance recently passed by Highlands’ Town Council, on its face, clearly violates the law of the…
Read More
Partisan local elections have different outcomes
As Cory Valliancourt report s in The Smoky Mountain News, North Carolina House members Rep. Mark Pless , R-Haywood, and…
Read More