To the Editor:

Do our politicians that run for public offices really care about our future, or are they just thinking of theirs? Just over two years ago Swain County had the golden opportunity to land a construction project — the North Shore Road — that would have created almost 1,000 construction jobs and well over $14 million dollars in retail sales alone. Not to mention the associated benefits of trickle down jobs. On the national average, one construction job touches no less than three to five other professions. 

All of this because of our elected officials and candidates in this election are not standing up for Swain County and Western North Carolina. Politicians like John Snow, Joe Sam Queen, Hayden Rogers, and Walter Dalton are only interested in their election and selfish interests. Now, these same individuals that are running for public office in this election are asking us to trust them, when they have turned their backs on us and our region. 

Who are these guys kidding? There would have been a huge economic windfall for the years of the construction and the rest of the future. This project would have given many opportunities for individuals to access our county, our region and our state into the future. We lost these jobs and retail sales because they were and are not supportive of us, the people they say they want to represent. Their records speak for themselves, regardless of the rhetoric they constantly spout. 

Raleigh Grant 

Bryson City