We can look forward to seeing road improvements, a strengthening of the electrical grid, wider access and more stable broadband, airport upgrades, and other enhancements. Significantly, good-paying jobs will open as Americans undertake the work required to realize these needed renovations. Residents will experience specific benefits in Cherokee, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, McDowell and several other counties in the North Carolina Mountain region. Although long overdue, it is something for which we can all be grateful since these improvements will benefit us all.

It is disheartening that the congressman elected to represent our region voted against wider access to high-speed internet; against upgrading the electrical grid; against programs to help the region reduce transportation fatalities and crashes (think Interstate 26 in Buncombe and Henderson counties and malfunction junction in Asheville); against funding for clean water and low-emission school buses; against modernizing our airport.  

Congressman Madison Cawthon is a public servant who was elected to represent the region and residents across several counties here in North Carolina. Refusing to endorse infrastructure changes is equivalent to a refusal to represent the people and the communities of Western North Carolina. Nevertheless, other public servants recognized the need for and value of these initiatives, and we will finally see enhancements, repairs, and good-paying jobs.

In the spirit of the season, this community is blessed and thankful. Happy Thanksgiving.

Teri Domagalski

Waynesville