To the Editor:

I attended the Sylva Town Meeting the other week and viewed the plan for the road re-design. The room overflowed with townspeople and concerned business owners who spoke against this plan as drawn. The point that hit home to me, a Glenville resident, was the failure of communication between DOT and the people.  

Jay Coward spoke eloquently on the plan being flawed and offered excellent alternatives. I am hoping that the DOT heard the people and will work with the people now. Businesses that have been present in Sylva for decades should remain untouched and respected. Round-bouts properly constructed with nice centers would not only add charm to Sylva but would be efficient for traffic flow. The idea of having a median constructed where drivers have no access to turn into businesses without having to do u-turns is extremely dangerous. Slow down and meet with the people! People make the town.

I’ve been a resident in Jackson County since 2009 but have vacationed here since 1978 and realize I’m considered a transplant; I accept that … but I must address the expansion of N.C. 107 South issue as well. 

I love the mountains ... the curves that follow the river ... the roads that are a bit narrow; it lets you know you should slow down to enjoy where you are. I am sickened by what the DOT has done on U.S. 64 East in Toxaway, tearing apart several mountains just to cut a road. I am sickened by the work on N.C. 107 South toward Cashiers too. Are we trying to just plow our way through these gorgeous mountains making it faster to go from one place to another?  

Sure, the curvy roads can be dangerous if drivers are dangerous. Personal accountability again is being taken away for us. If all drive responsibly, we shouldn’t have to drill into our mountains only to try to prevent accidents of those who aren’t responsible. That’s again making laws for all because of the few, or one.  Insane.

God made our mountains for us to enjoy. You have to slow down to see their majesty. We don’t need a wider road ... we need folks to leave a bit earlier to get to places. I want the mountains to remain as they were meant to be, mighty and respected.

Trish Chambers

Glenville